Separate Measures from Each Cancer Type

Protection from Separate Measures from Each Cancer Type

Cancer, which is one of the first diseases that cause loss of life in the world, can be diagnosed at an early stage, the higher the chance of treatment. It is important in the early diagnosis of cancer that individuals who have no complaints about their health regularly go to the doctor, be conscious and have screening tests. The experts of Memorial Health Group Oncology Department gave important information about the fight against cancer of our age.

Every year 12 million people are identified  with cancer

Cancer disease is caused by excessive and uncontrolled proliferation of any group of cells in the body. Every year, 12 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the world and 7.6 million of these people die. However, nowadays, thanks to the cooperation of medicine and technology, the development of diagnostic facilities and the increase in the opportunity to benefit from health institutions helps to diagnose more and more cancer cases day by day.

In the 1970s, cancer has fallen to the second place after cardiovascular system diseases, while in the world and in our country, cancer is in the fourth place among the known losses of life. According to the statistics of the American Cancer Society; prostate, lung and large intestine in men in recent years; breast, lung and large intestine cancers are encountered in women. Regarding loss of life, lung cancer ranks first, regardless of gender.

One third of cancer types can be prevented

Approximately one-third of the most common cancer types, especially those that are common, can be prevented and one-third of them can be detected early. By avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, eating healthy and balanced nutrition, regular exercise can prevent cancer risk by an average of 30 percent. Symptoms of cancer vary according to the tissues and organs it originates from. Some types can also appear in control examinations without any symptoms. However, symptoms such as changes in defecation and urinary habits, long lasting and non-healing wounds, unexpected bleeding and discharge, hand swelling in the breast or other organs, difficulty swallowing or indigestion, weight loss of unknown cause, pronounced change in warts and moles, prolonged hoarseness or cough. It is important to apply to a specialist in case.

How is the cancer type prevented?

Breast cancer

All women, starting from the age of 20, should regularly perform breast examinations every month. Clinical breast examination and ultrasound every three years between the ages of 20-39; It is important for women 40 years and older to have a doctor's examination and mammography once a year. Experts; He recommends that self-examination of the breast is ideally done between the fifth and seventh days of the menstrual cycle and once a month during the menopause. During the inspection to be made against the mirror; Signs such as obvious swelling in the breast, changes in appearance or shape, color changes such as redness, 'orange peel appearance' in the breast skin, nipple retraction, burial, shape and color changes or discharge should be checked.

Prostate cancer: Routine checks must be made after the age of 50 against prostate cancer, which is common in men. In the case of this disease in the family history, it is recommended to start screening by going back 10 years from the age of the individual where the disease occurred. Prostate cancer is diagnosed during a rectal examination by a specialist. Another screening test is called prostate specific antigen, PSA test. In this way, the amount of prostate specific antigen in the blood is measured. The test should be administered once a year after the age of 50, and once a year from the age of 40, if there are risk factors.

Large bowel cancer

The most known diagnosis of this disease is based on stool secret blood test. In this test, which should be done once a year after the age of 50, only blood samples that can be observed under a microscope are investigated. Another method is the imaging of the rectum and sigmoid colon with a sigmoidoscope (lens and light) advanced from the rectum. With the accompanying apparatus, tissue samples can also be taken and examined under a microscope and diagnosis can be made. After every test that is positive for the intestine and rectum, a colonoscopy is required to look after the entire large intestine.

Cervical and cervical cancers

PAP smear test is used as the gold standard in the routine control of these diseases. Cells collected from the cervix and vagina are examined under a microscope, it is important that all women who are sexually active and over the age of 18 have a PAP test and pelvic examination once a year. Women who have had a normal PAP test for three consecutive years after 30 years of age can reduce this period to two years.

Lung cancer

 Although it is not a routine recommended screening test for lung cancers, low-dose computed tomography performed at high-risk patients is useful. The high risk group consists of people aged 50 and over, who have smoked at least 20 packs / year and who have stopped smoking less than 15 years.