The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.113)

2019 • 08 12 eature Cancer: early detection saves lives Breast cancer Colorectal cancer In females, the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer starts increasing beyond 40 years of age. Hence, those above 40 (including males) are encouraged to undergo mammograms and breast ultrasound examinations to enable prompt detection of breast cancer. In addition, females should perform breast self-examinations on a monthly basis. Women who gave birth at a later stage in life, have never conceived, or have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer are at a higher risk of breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer equates to a shorter course of treatment; in some cases, patients might even be spared from undergoing chemotherapy. For early-stage breast cancer patients, it is also likely that breast conserving surgery would suffice to eradicate cancer at its source, instead of being subjected to a radical mastectomy. The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the higher the chances of recovery. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer should undergo a colorectal cancer screening after 50 years of age, or at the age 10 years earlier than the age at which the cancer-stricken family member was diagnosed. This enables timely detection of early-stage colorectal cancer, as well as any precancerous lesions (a condition involving abnormal cells that, over time, have an increased risk of developing into cancer), such as polyps. Colorectal cancer usually develops from polyps over the span of 5 to 10 years. Hence, removing any polyps found during screening reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or colonoscopy is necessary for a thorough screening. Seek immediate medical attention pertaining to any abnormalities indefecation patterns, such as sudden, prolonged constipation, diarrhoea, or traces of blood or bodily discharge in stool. Early detection and treatment is made possible with the different types of screenings available, each targeted at a specific form of cancer.