Detect Cancer Early (Sept 27, 2009)
Early detection can help save lives, reduce suffering and cost of treatment in many suffering and cost of treatment in many cancers. Early detection is finding cancer in asymptomatic people (people without symptoms) when it is in the early stages of the disease. Research has proven that specific examinations and test at regular intervals can detect cancer before a person has the obvious symptoms of cancer.
Screening can detect cancer at an early stage. For most cancers, early detection means that treatment is more effective and the chance of success is higher. In the best of cases, lives are saved. Therefore, it is very important to go for cancer screening.
According to the American Cancer Society, "The 5-year relative survival rate for people with cancers for which the ACS has specific early detection recommendations (breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, oral cavity and skin) is about 82%.
The 5-year survival rate is defined as the percentage of people alive at least five years after diagnosis of cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate calculation excludes people who die of other causes. Both rates include people regardless of the type of treatment, if any, they receive.
"The outlook for survival for people with these cancers is greatly improved by early detection, In fact, if all Americans had early detection testing according to ACS recommendations, the 5-year relative survival rate for people with these cancers would increase to about 95%.
Cancer can be detected early in many parts of the body such as breast, cervix, testicular (testis), colon, prostate, oral cavity and skin. Some of these cancers can be found early by self examinations; physical examinations by a health professional or laboratory tests.
The following tests are normally conducted during screening:
1. X-rays - A simple x-ray can show the outlines of lungs, heart, collar bones and ribs. This may help diagnosis of lung and bronchial cancers.
2. Contrast x-rays – This involves the use barium, either as a drink or as an enema, to highlight any abnormalities. Contrast x-rays are used to detect cancer of the gullet (esophagus), stomach, colon or rectum.
3. CT Scan – CT scan or computerized tomography scanning gives a more detailed view of sections of the body and any changes in shape and size. CT scan is often used to detect very small cancers in the body.
4. MRI - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses a powerful magnetic field in combination with radio waves to create images similar to CT, but without exposing the patient to ionising radiation (X-rays). These images give much more information than other imaging techniques enabling a more detailed and accurate interpretation of the results. This type of imaging can be very noisy as it produces loud thumping and humming noises during the imaging but one can request for earplugs to block out the noise. Because of the magnetic field produced by the MRI unit, patients with any metal implants such as cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, cochlea implants, implanted pumps, tattooed eyeliner cannot have an MRI.
5. Mammogram - This is a special soft tissue x-ray of the breast which is used to detect abnormalities. As the breast tissues have to be squashed to take the picture some women find this uncomfortable. Mammograms are used in the screening of all women, whether or not they display any symptoms of breast cancer.
6. Nuclear Medicine Imaging- These imaging scans can be used to look at bones, kidneys, lungs and the thyroid gland. This usually involves an injection of a small amount of radioactive material into a vein. Patients will be provided with a list of do’s and don’ts for 12 hours after the scan.
7. Ultrasound imaging - Ultrasound is a non-invasive investigation of soft tissues and organs in the body using high frequency sound waves to produce pictures of body organs and tissues.
8. Cytological investigations - This test may be performed to collect cells from an abnormality within the body. A needle or a syringe is used to remove cells from a lump, a lymph node, thyroid gland or bone marrow. Cells from the cervix may be collected using a swab (a smear test). Taking these cells can be uncomfortable but it is important to get the right diagnosis.
9. Endoscopy - A tube with a tiny camera and light is used to look at different parts of the body, including the gullet, lungs, stomach and bowel.
10. Surgery - Sometimes it is not possible to arrive at a definite diagnosis without a biopsy. This involves taking a small piece of tissue for testing and is often carried out under a local anesthetic.
11. Blood tests - Blood tests are very common and are usually done to look at how well the organs in the body are functioning.
12. PET-CT - Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (better know by its acronym PET-CT). It is standard imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body before making treatment recommendations. It can detect the metabolic signal of actively growing cancer cells in the body and provides a detailed picture of the internal anatomy that reveals the location, size and shape of abnormal cancerous growths.
If one gets a positive result in a screening test, it does not necessarily mean that one definitely has cancer. However, it does mean that one needs t have more tests to confirm whether one has cancer or not. It is important to know what is normal for us and to look out for any changes. If we notice anything unusual, we should see our doctor and have a thorough check if cancer is suspected.
Some tests are done immediately by our GP while others may take longer to arrange as they are more complex and require hospital visits. Results may take a bit of time to get as scans and test reports have to be checked and double checked by the experts.
An appointment is usually made once all our results are available. If we think we should have a particular test, it is important to discuss our concerns with our doctor who will be able to advise us on whether the test is appropriate.
When we see our doctor we tend to forget some of the questions which we want to ask; it is often useful to write them down before we go.
Even if we are screened negative for breast, cervical or bowel cancer, we should still ensure that we go to our doctor if we have any symptoms that worry us. It is easier when cancer is diagnosed at an early stage as treatment is often simpler and more effective. Detecting cancer early can make a real difference.
Sometimes, people put off seeing their doctor because they are worried about what the doctor may find out. However, it is important to bear in mind that advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have led to real improvements in treatment of cancer over the years.
Many Malaysians are dying from cancer because the cancer is found at the late stages. This is especially true for breast and cervical cancer. With early detection, breast cancer can be found in Stage 1 (lump <2cm)
Overall, the number of people who die from cancer has been decreasing. Half of the people diagnosed with cancer today will still be alive in five years’ time; more than 40% of them will still be alive in ten years’ time. The average ten-year survival rate for cancer has doubled over the past 30 years. For many types of cancer including prostate cancer, melanoma and skin cancer, the number of people who survive has improved greatly.
Death rates of the UK’s three commonest cancers – breast, bowel and lung cancer - have dropped to their 40 years’ lowest level. More than nine out of ten men with testicular cancer are now effectively cured. More than three quarters of children with cancer survive compared with only a quarter back in the 60s. Even for cancers whereby survival rate is poor, the chances of surviving are higher if cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.
The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that mammography screening for breast cancer reduces mortality. The IARC working group, comprising 24 experts from 11 countries, evaluated all the available evidence on breast screening and determined that there is a 35 percent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among screened women aged 50-69 years old. This means that out of every 500 women screened, one life will be saved.
Therefore it is of paramount importance to talk to our doctor once we notice anything unusual about our body and reveal to him any warning signs or symptoms that we may have. There is nothing to lose but everything to gain if we consult our doctor at the earliest instant over these changes, signs or symptoms.
Screening can detect cancer at an early stage. For most cancers, early detection means that treatment is more effective and the chance of success is higher. In the best of cases, lives are saved. Therefore, it is very important to go for cancer screening.
According to the American Cancer Society, "The 5-year relative survival rate for people with cancers for which the ACS has specific early detection recommendations (breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, oral cavity and skin) is about 82%.
The 5-year survival rate is defined as the percentage of people alive at least five years after diagnosis of cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate calculation excludes people who die of other causes. Both rates include people regardless of the type of treatment, if any, they receive.
"The outlook for survival for people with these cancers is greatly improved by early detection, In fact, if all Americans had early detection testing according to ACS recommendations, the 5-year relative survival rate for people with these cancers would increase to about 95%.
Cancer can be detected early in many parts of the body such as breast, cervix, testicular (testis), colon, prostate, oral cavity and skin. Some of these cancers can be found early by self examinations; physical examinations by a health professional or laboratory tests.
The following tests are normally conducted during screening:
1. X-rays - A simple x-ray can show the outlines of lungs, heart, collar bones and ribs. This may help diagnosis of lung and bronchial cancers.
2. Contrast x-rays – This involves the use barium, either as a drink or as an enema, to highlight any abnormalities. Contrast x-rays are used to detect cancer of the gullet (esophagus), stomach, colon or rectum.
3. CT Scan – CT scan or computerized tomography scanning gives a more detailed view of sections of the body and any changes in shape and size. CT scan is often used to detect very small cancers in the body.
4. MRI - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses a powerful magnetic field in combination with radio waves to create images similar to CT, but without exposing the patient to ionising radiation (X-rays). These images give much more information than other imaging techniques enabling a more detailed and accurate interpretation of the results. This type of imaging can be very noisy as it produces loud thumping and humming noises during the imaging but one can request for earplugs to block out the noise. Because of the magnetic field produced by the MRI unit, patients with any metal implants such as cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, cochlea implants, implanted pumps, tattooed eyeliner cannot have an MRI.
5. Mammogram - This is a special soft tissue x-ray of the breast which is used to detect abnormalities. As the breast tissues have to be squashed to take the picture some women find this uncomfortable. Mammograms are used in the screening of all women, whether or not they display any symptoms of breast cancer.
6. Nuclear Medicine Imaging- These imaging scans can be used to look at bones, kidneys, lungs and the thyroid gland. This usually involves an injection of a small amount of radioactive material into a vein. Patients will be provided with a list of do’s and don’ts for 12 hours after the scan.
7. Ultrasound imaging - Ultrasound is a non-invasive investigation of soft tissues and organs in the body using high frequency sound waves to produce pictures of body organs and tissues.
8. Cytological investigations - This test may be performed to collect cells from an abnormality within the body. A needle or a syringe is used to remove cells from a lump, a lymph node, thyroid gland or bone marrow. Cells from the cervix may be collected using a swab (a smear test). Taking these cells can be uncomfortable but it is important to get the right diagnosis.
9. Endoscopy - A tube with a tiny camera and light is used to look at different parts of the body, including the gullet, lungs, stomach and bowel.
10. Surgery - Sometimes it is not possible to arrive at a definite diagnosis without a biopsy. This involves taking a small piece of tissue for testing and is often carried out under a local anesthetic.
11. Blood tests - Blood tests are very common and are usually done to look at how well the organs in the body are functioning.
12. PET-CT - Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (better know by its acronym PET-CT). It is standard imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body before making treatment recommendations. It can detect the metabolic signal of actively growing cancer cells in the body and provides a detailed picture of the internal anatomy that reveals the location, size and shape of abnormal cancerous growths.
If one gets a positive result in a screening test, it does not necessarily mean that one definitely has cancer. However, it does mean that one needs t have more tests to confirm whether one has cancer or not. It is important to know what is normal for us and to look out for any changes. If we notice anything unusual, we should see our doctor and have a thorough check if cancer is suspected.
Some tests are done immediately by our GP while others may take longer to arrange as they are more complex and require hospital visits. Results may take a bit of time to get as scans and test reports have to be checked and double checked by the experts.
An appointment is usually made once all our results are available. If we think we should have a particular test, it is important to discuss our concerns with our doctor who will be able to advise us on whether the test is appropriate.
When we see our doctor we tend to forget some of the questions which we want to ask; it is often useful to write them down before we go.
Even if we are screened negative for breast, cervical or bowel cancer, we should still ensure that we go to our doctor if we have any symptoms that worry us. It is easier when cancer is diagnosed at an early stage as treatment is often simpler and more effective. Detecting cancer early can make a real difference.
Sometimes, people put off seeing their doctor because they are worried about what the doctor may find out. However, it is important to bear in mind that advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have led to real improvements in treatment of cancer over the years.
Many Malaysians are dying from cancer because the cancer is found at the late stages. This is especially true for breast and cervical cancer. With early detection, breast cancer can be found in Stage 1 (lump <2cm)
Overall, the number of people who die from cancer has been decreasing. Half of the people diagnosed with cancer today will still be alive in five years’ time; more than 40% of them will still be alive in ten years’ time. The average ten-year survival rate for cancer has doubled over the past 30 years. For many types of cancer including prostate cancer, melanoma and skin cancer, the number of people who survive has improved greatly.
Death rates of the UK’s three commonest cancers – breast, bowel and lung cancer - have dropped to their 40 years’ lowest level. More than nine out of ten men with testicular cancer are now effectively cured. More than three quarters of children with cancer survive compared with only a quarter back in the 60s. Even for cancers whereby survival rate is poor, the chances of surviving are higher if cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.
The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that mammography screening for breast cancer reduces mortality. The IARC working group, comprising 24 experts from 11 countries, evaluated all the available evidence on breast screening and determined that there is a 35 percent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among screened women aged 50-69 years old. This means that out of every 500 women screened, one life will be saved.
Therefore it is of paramount importance to talk to our doctor once we notice anything unusual about our body and reveal to him any warning signs or symptoms that we may have. There is nothing to lose but everything to gain if we consult our doctor at the earliest instant over these changes, signs or symptoms.
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