Cancer is a disease which occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumour; this is true of all cancers except leukaemia (cancer of the blood). If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function.
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Currently there is a vaccine available for cervical cancer only. It is recommended for girls between the age of 9-14. Speak with your paediatrician for more information.
To find out more, logon to: https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
Anyone can get cancer, although the risk goes up with age. Your individual risk depends on factors such as whether you smoke, lifestyle choices such as what you eat and how much you exercise, your family history of cancer, and factors in your workplace and environment.
Cancer typically has four stages: I through IV (1 - 4). Some cancers even have a stage 0 (zero). Here’s what these stages mean:
Cancer can occur in any part of the body. It usually starts off painless and at early stages often the symptoms are not noticeable. It gradually increases in size and starts spreading to surrounding areas, damaging the tissue.
As cancer grows, it invades the surrounding structures and causes damage. It spreads to the draining lymph nodes. Through the blood stream it spreads to the others parts of the body like lung, liver, bones, brain etc.
Metastasis occurs when cancer spreads from one part of the body to another. The primary site is the location of the original tumour and the secondary site is the metastasis (spread of cancer cells to another place in the body).
Visible signs and symptoms are not enough to know whether you have cancer. If your healthcare practitioner suspects cancer you will be prescribed more tests for a confirmed diagnosis, which may include x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy.
In biopsy a piece of the lump (tumour) or abnormal area is taken out and sent to the lab. There, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases (called a pathologist) looks at the cells under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.
Yes, most cancers are curable if detected and treated at an early stage.
With the advancements of modern medicine the chances of cancer treatment have become much higher than before provided treatment begins at an early stage. Regular screening & early detection is the key.
Remission means that the signs and symptoms of your cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured.
Second opinion is often valuable. Even if your diagnosis does not change with a second opinion, taking a second opinion on treatment options is useful to help you determine the best way to treat your specific cancer.
The chance that biopsy or surgery will cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body is extremely low. Following standard procedures, surgeons use special methods and take many steps to prevent cancer cells from spreading during biopsies or surgery to remove tumours. We recommend that you follow the advice of your treating doctor. If required get a second opinion.
No!
Inoperable means that surgery is not an option for your type of cancer. There may be other treatment options to shrink or even kill the cancer, slow its growth, and to help with side effects. There are treatments available for every stage of cancer which may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy etc.
Yes, most cancer treatments do have some side effects, which could range from mild, moderate to severe. Each type of cancer treatment has different side effects. Also, different patients will experience different side effects for the same type of treatment, which makes it difficult to predict what side effects a patient will have.
For more information on treatment side-effects and how to manage them, please click here.
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects.html
A person who is thinking of refusing cancer treatment due to fear of side effects should talk with the doctor to clearly understand the likely outcomes of both treatment and non-treatment before making a decision. If cancer is allowed to progress without treatment, symptoms get worse and new symptoms build up over time. Untreated cancer commonly causes death.
In contrast, cancer treatment often saves lives – especially when cancer is found and treated early. Even when it can’t cure the cancer, treatment can often help people live longer. And medical care can always be used to help a person feel better by reducing pain and other symptoms (palliative care).
For more information on treatment side-effects and how to manage them, please click here.
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects.html
This is a question to ask your doctor. Even though treatment regimens have similarities, they are often tailored to the individual patient. Therefore, it is important you speak frankly with your doctor.
In contrast, cancer treatment often saves lives – especially when cancer is found and treated early. Even when it can’t cure the cancer, treatment can often help people live longer. And medical care can always be used to help a person feel better by reducing pain and other symptoms (palliative care).
For more information on treatment side-effects and how to manage them, please click here.
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects.html
Numerous cancer survivors have shared out of their own experience that staying in a positive frame of mind really helped them during their treatment. Even doctors and physicians often encourage patients to keep up a healthy ‘fighting spirit’ and a positive attitude during their treatment.
We recommend that you try and stay in a positive frame of mind during your cancer treatment. If you feel you are not able to do so on your own, you may wish to reach out to a professional counsellor or psychologist, who can help equip you with some of the emotional tools required to deal with cancer treatment. Today, with the advancements of modern medicine, there are specialised doctors & psychologists that practice psycho-oncology, an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of physical, psychological, social, and behavioural aspects of the cancer experience for both patients and caregivers.
You could also connect to a Patient Support Group near you. Even though a lot of people receive support from friends and family, the number one reason they join a support group is to be with others who have similar cancer experiences. Some research shows that joining a support group improves both quality of life and survival.
One of the side-effects of chemotherapy may be a complete loss of hair or a thinning of the hair. This will depend upon the type of chemotherapy you have been given. Hair loss can range from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic area, to the entire body.
This can be a emotionally challenging side effect of treatment, especially to young women. Many women decide to wear wigs while others choose to leave their heads bare and/or wear a scarf around their heads in public.
Your hair should begin to grow back between 6-8 weeks after you have finished treatment, but remember that everyone's experience is different
The development of cancer is very complex and different for each person. There are many elements that can contribute to the growth of cancerous cells and the ability of your body to defend against them. There is still much to discover about the causes of cancer, and whilst environmental factors such as diet, exercise and smoking can increase your risk of cancer, it is your genetics and family history that control how your body will be able to repair and defend against the damage caused.
Not necessarily. Cancer is caused by harmful changes (mutations) in genes. Only very few cancers cases (5%-10%) are caused by harmful mutations that are inherited from a person’s parents.
The chance that biopsy or surgery will cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body is extremely low. Following standard procedures, surgeons use special methods and take many steps to prevent cancer cells from spreading during biopsies or surgery to remove tumours. We recommend that you follow the advice of your treating doctor. If required get a second opinion.
No! Inoperable means that surgery is not an option for your type of cancer. There may be other treatment options to shrink or even kill the cancer, slow its growth, and to help with side effects. There are treatments available for every stage of cancer which may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy etc.
