Breast cancer can strike at any time, so take responsibility for your own health, and start by getting to know your breasts.
Who gets it?
Risk factors
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis involves a triple assessment consisting of a clinical
examination; a mammography and an ultrasound; and a
needle tissue biopsy. The new 3D-mammography breast
screening technique looks promising.
Latest treatment is a multidisciplinary
approach involving three lines of attack:
Dr Benn has the following advice if breast cancer is diagnosed: 'Breast cancer is not flu, and doesn't need to be treated that same day. Taking a day or two to find out what the different treatment options are results in better, more holistic treatment.'
2. CERVICAL CANCER
More South African women die of cervical cancer
than of breast cancer, largely because it is often
symptomless, and preventative care is only now
becoming a priority.
Who gets it?
Risk factors
Diagnosis and treatment
A pap smear is the most effective method of diagnosis, and
other screening procedures may follow. The key to solving the
problem could lie in improving socio-economic conditions,
better access to medical facilities and screening. In almost all
cases, there are no symptoms, but if persistent vaginal bleeding
or discharge and pain leave you uncomfortable, you ought to
have yourself checked out.
A new home testing option, the Sen-C- Test, can be used in addition to the Pap smear to test for HPV, which is associated with cervical cancer. It's been hailed as a breakthrough in self-care, but the manufacturers are clear that it should not be used to avoid regular medical check-ups. But Pro-fessor Lynette Denny, senior specialist in gynaecological oncol-ogy at Groote Schuur Hospital, advises caution: 'My concern is that this test is being introduced prior to there being sufficient education of both the lay and the medical community.'
Ways to treat it :
n By undergoing radical surgery and radiation therapy. These
have proved effective in the early stage of the disease.
3. COLORECTAL CANCER
This is the third most common cancer in South
Africa. A diet high in red meat is associated
with colorectal cancer. It is food for thought,
considering our tendency to gather around the
braai on the weekend.
Who gets it?
Risk factors
The exact cause is still a mystery but risk factors include:
Diagnosis and treatment
A physical examination will determine whether you have the
disease or not. Other tests that may be needed include a digital
rectal examination (DRE); an abdominal exam; a complete
blood count (CBC); a barium enema x-ray; a colonoscopy; and
a sigmoidoscopy (a small type of camera enabling the physician
to observe the inside of the large intestine from the rectum
through the last part of the colon, called the sigmoid colon).
Treatment will be managed according
to the stage of disease:
For localised disease, the primary treatment is surgery.
Thereafter chemotheraphy or radiation therapy may be
recommended depending on certain factors.
4. LUNG CANCER
Sit up and take note if you have a persistent
cough, are coughing up blood and are wheezing.
Who gets it?
Risk factors
Diagnosis and treatment
In addition to the coughing and other symptoms mentioned
above, if the cancer reaches your chest: chest pains, persist-ent
hoarseness, drooping eyelids, pain in the arm and armpit,
shortness of breath and swelling in the arms or face will give you
sleepless nights. Any of the following will be used for diagnosis:
a chest x-ray; a computerised tomography also known as a CAT
scan; a sputum cytology; and a position emission tomography
(PET), a South African-designed diagnostic technique.
Combating the disease would involve:
5. CANCER OF THE OESOPHAGUS
Drinking and smoking? Think again…
Who gets it?
Risk factors
Diagnosis and treatment
Oesophagoscopy is the key test because it allows both visualisa-tion
and biopsy. Other means of diagnosis include a physical
examination; blood tests; cell analysis; barium swallow; and an
x-ray of the oesophagus.
Treatment depends on the patient's needs :
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