Development of cancer in the prostate gland of the male reproductive system can be life threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Patients of prostate cancer generally include senior age groups who need the best treatment for cure. Different types of treatments are available for prostate cancer, and the particular mode of treatment usually depends on the stage of the cancer. Continue reading “Quality Treatment for Prostate Cancer”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the Nigeria
In 2015, just under 5,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Most women who get it (8 out of 10) are over 50, but younger women, and in rare cases, men, can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
The breasts are made up of fat, connective tissue and thousands of tiny glands called lobules, which produce milk. When a woman has a baby, the milk is delivered to the nipple through tiny tubes called ducts, which allow her to breastfeed.
The body is made up of billions of tiny cells, which usually grow and multiply in an orderly way. New cells are only produced when and where they’re needed. In cancer, this orderly process goes wrong and cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also see your GP if you notice any of the following:
a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
dimpling on the skin of your breasts
a rash on or around your nipple
a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Breast pain isn’t usually a symptom of breast cancer.
After examining your breasts, your GP may refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. This might include a mammography (breast screening) or a biopsy.
There are several different types of breast cancer, which can develop in different parts of the breast. Breast cancer is often divided into non-invasive and invasive types.
Non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer is also known as cancer or carcinoma in situ. This cancer is found in the ducts of the breast and hasn’t developed the ability to spread outside the breast.
This form of cancer rarely shows as a lump in the breast that can be felt, and is usually found on a mammogram. The most common type of non-invasive cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive cancer has the ability to spread outside the breast, although this doesn’t necessarily mean it has spread.
The most common form of breast cancer is invasive ductal breast cancer, which develops in the cells that line the breast ducts. Invasive ductal breast cancer accounts for about 80% of all breast cancer cases and is sometimes called “no special type”.
Other types of breast cancer
Other less common types of breast cancer include invasive lobular breast cancer, which develops in the cells that line the milk-producing lobules, inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease of the breast.
It’s possible for breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body, usually through the lymph nodes (small glands that filter bacteria from the body) or the bloodstream. If this happens, it’s known as “secondary” or “metastatic” breast cancer.
About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages. For this reason, it’s vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their GP.
Mammographic screening (where X-ray images of the breast are taken) is the best available method of detecting an early breast lesion. However, you should be aware that a mammogram might fail to detect some breast cancers. It might also increase your chances of having extra tests and interventions, including surgery.
Women with a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer may be offered screening and genetic testing for the condition.
As the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women who are 50-70 years old are invited for breast cancer screening every three years.
Women over 70 are also entitled to screening and can arrange an appointment through their GP or local screening unit.
The NHS is in the process of extending the programme as a trial, offering screening to some women aged 47-73.
If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to nearby parts of the body.
Breast cancer is treated using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery is usually the first type of treatment you’ll have, followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or, in some cases, hormone or biological treatments.
The type of surgery and the treatment you have afterwards will depend on the type of breast cancer you have. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment plan with you.
In a small proportion of women, breast cancer is discovered after it’s spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Secondary cancer, also called advanced or metastatic cancer, isn’t curable, so the aim of treatment is to achieve remission (symptom relief).
As the causes of breast cancer aren’t fully understood, it’s not possible to know if it can be prevented altogether.
If you’re at increased risk of developing the condition, some treatments are available to reduce the risk.
Studies have looked at the link between breast cancer and diet and, although there are no definite conclusions, there are benefits for women who maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and who have a low intake of saturated fat and alcohol.
It’s been suggested that regular exercise can reduce your risk of breast cancer by as much as a third. If you’ve been through the menopause, it’s particularly important that you’re not overweight or obese. This is because being overweight or obese causes more oestrogen to be produced, which can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can affect daily life in many ways, depending on what stage it’s at and what treatment you’re having.
How women cope with their diagnosis and treatment varies from person to person. You can be reassured that there are several forms of support available, if you need it. For example:
your family and friends can be a powerful support system
you can communicate with other people in the same situation
find out as much as possible about your condition
don’t try to do too much or overexert yourself
make time for yourself
LET’S LEARN THE CANCER LANGUAGE FIRST
There are over 100 different types of cancer. Each type of cancer can have different symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment options. As a result, there are many terminologies and phrases that are used to describe the type, symptoms and diagnosis of cancer, and treatment methods. It is often very confusing as well as frustrating for the readers if too many medical jargons or terminologies are used in describing this condition. It is difficult for readers to understand the context of the topic or take any action, if required, after reading any article or book on cancers. As a result, the information is often misinterpreted or not fully understood or comprehended.
In this article of cancer series, we would like to explain in very simple terms all phrases and terminologies used in describing a cancer. This will help readers in understanding the cancer terms, types of cancer, common diagnosis and treatment terminologies, and the health personnel involved in management of cancer. These are described in alphabetical order here.
Ablation: removal or destruction of body part or tissue. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) therapy involves destroying cancer tissue with heat. RFA is commonly used in the treatment of lung, liver and kidney tumors.
Adenocarcinoma: cancer that begins from lining of internal organs or from skin
Adenoma: a non-cancer tumor that starts from glands
Adenopathy: swollen glands
Anal cancer: of anus, anal cancer
Anorexia: an abnormal loss of appetite for food.
Asbestos: a group of minerals that are found in the form of tiny fibres. It is used as insulation against heat and fire in buildings. Asbestos dust when breathed into the lungs can lead to cancer of lungs and mesothelioma.
Asthenia: feeling or weakness or lack of energy. This is common in late stage cancer.
Astrocyte: this is a type of cell in the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytoma is a tumor that begins in astrocytes.
Asymptomatic: having no signs or symptoms of disease. Most cancers are asymptomatic in the early stages.
Axillary lymph node dissection: removal of lymph nodes in the axilla. This may be done in the treatment of breast cancer.
B-cell lymphoma: A type of cancer that forms in B cells.
Barrett esophagus: this is a condition where the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus have changed or been replaced by abnormal cells that could lead to cancer of the esophagus. The regurgitation of the contents of stomach into the esophagus over time can lead to Barrett esophagus
….to be continued
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Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1,685,210 new cancer diagnoses are expected by the end of 2016. Also, approximately 595,690 deaths are expected by the same time. With these numbers, it is understandable to have concerns over one’s health and future. Continue reading “How The Environment May Impact Your Cancer Risk”
Prostate cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths, in men, in most of the Western World. Men have a one in five chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer whilst women have a one in eight chance of breast cancer. Yet people are much more aware of breast cancer symptoms, signs and treatment. Perhaps because government funding for breast cancer research tends to outweigh the amount spent on prostate cancer! Continue reading “How Common Is Prostate Cancer?”
Don’t wait, Hydrate!
Having a headache? Drink water.
Feeling tired? Drink water.
Not losing weight? Drink water.
Drink water. Do you know that all of these are symptoms of not keeping hydrated? Most of us are guilty of this. Several health issues that an average adult experiences occurs due to lack of sufficient water intake. Continue reading “Don’t wait, Hydrate! Drink Water”
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that is passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 varieties which are passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat. Most people get a genital HPV infection through direct sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Because HPV is a skin-to-skin infection, intercourse isn’t always required for transmission to occur. Continue reading “Human papillomavirus (HPV)”
The term ‘hepatitis‘ means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses, other infectious agents, alcohol, and other chemicals. There are various Hepatitis viruses which include A, B, C, D, E and possibly G. Types A, B and C are the most common. All can cause acute hepatitis. Viral Hepatitis B and C can cause Chronic Hepatitis which can lead to Liver Cirrhosis (fibrosis) and in some cases Liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma). They differ in the way they are transmitted from person to person. Continue reading “Hepatitis Vaccination”
Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease. Vaccines contain a microorganism or virus in a weakened, live or killed state, or proteins or toxins from the organism. In stimulating the body’s adaptive immunity, they help prevent sickness from an infectious disease.
When a sufficiently large percentage of a population has been vaccinated and become immune, herd immunity results which indirectly protects the non-immune population because infection transmission is low. The effectiveness of vaccination has been widely studied and verified. Vaccination is a most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. Continue reading “Cancer Vaccination”
There is no known cause for bowel cancer.
RISK FACTORS
Smokers are more likely to develop bowel cancer than non-smokers.
Obese people are more likely to develop bowel cancer. Continue reading “CAUSES of Bowel Cancer part 2”