Screening for Cancer
A periodic health check is a woman's best bet against Cancer. Regular screening tests can detect cancer right in the beginning and intercepting the cancer early, means a more effective cure and a higher survival rate. While it is advisable that everyone go in for screening examinations regularly, this might not always be possible. But this is a must for people in high-risk groups.
Mammograms, breast examinations by a qualified medical professional and breast self - examinations (BSE) play an important role in detecting lumps and tumours early on. All lumps need not be cancerous - the doctor can diagnose cancer either through a biopsy or a cytological examination. A biopsy is done by removing part of the tumour, which is then examined by a pathologist to examine whether it is cancerous or not. In a cytological examination, body fluids are examined for cancer cells.
The Pap smear - also called Pap test - named after Dr. George N. Papanicolau, is the most effective advance warning in cases of cervical cancer. It not only detects cancers early but also spots precancerous conditions. The cells shed by the uterus are found in the vaginal fluid. These cells carry telltale signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. Examining a sample of the vaginal fluid helps identify abnormal cells, if any. In this procedure a few cells are scraped off the cervix, put on a microscope slide, dyed and examined.
Annual pelvic examinations - where the doctor feels the internal sex organs, bladder and rectum for abnormalities - can help spot endometrial cancer.
Once the cancer is detected, a whole lot of tests, like blood tests and X-rays, are done to check out the person's state of health and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Procedures like isotope scanning give a glimpse of inner organs and the stage of the cancer. Once the details of the cancer have been charted out, the doctor can decide on the right course of treatment.
Treatment
The method of treatment depends on the stage the cancer is in. However, every method has its side effects. Therefore, the choice of what treatment is to be used should be a judicious one. It is best if the patient discusses the course of treatment and associated side effects with the doctor before making a choice.
Surgery
Involves removing the tumour. The tissue surrounding the tumour and nearby lymph nodes could also be removed during the operation.
Radiation therapy
Also known as radiotherapy. High-energy rays are trained on the cancer cells to stop them from growing and multiplying. This is also local treatment, like surgery; it can affect cancer cells only in the treated area. There are two kinds of radiotherapy: external radiation, where the patient receives radiation from a machine, and internal radiation, where radiation comes from an implant placed directly into or near the tumour.
External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic. Patients are not radioactive either during or after the treatment. In the case of internal radiation therapy, the patient has to be hospitalized for a few days. The implant may be temporary or permanent. Because the level of radiation is high, the patient may not be able to receive visitors while in hospital. Once the implant is removed, there is no radioactivity in the body. For permanent implants, the patient is allowed to leave, once the amount of radiation comes down to a safe level.
Chemotherapy
In this method, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Anti cancer drugs are injected into a vein or a muscle. sometimes, it is also given orally. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment; the drugs enter the blood stream and reach nearly every part of the body.
The therapy generally happens in cycles: treatment period is followed by a recovery period, and so on. Usually, chemotherapy does not involve a hospital stay. However, this also depends on factors like which drugs are being used and patient's general health.
Hormone therapy
This works on cancers, like breast cancer, which need hormones to grow. The therapy prevents cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they need. This could involve surgery to remove organs - such as the ovaries - that make the hormones. Otherwise, drugs are used to stop hormone production or to change the way they act. This is also systemic treatment.
Biological therapy
Also called immunotherapy. Uses the patient's own immune system to fight the disease.
Side-effects of treatment
Often, cancer treatment results in damage to healthy cells and tissues, leading to unpleasant side effects. Side-effects depend upon the type and duration of the treatment. Also every person reacts differently to treatment.
A list of side effects generally associated with each treatment method.
Surgery: Depends on the location of the tumour, the type of operation, the patient's general health and other factors. Patients often feel pain for the first few days after surgery; this can be controlled with medicine. Patients may also feel tired or weak for a while.
Radiotherapy: Varies according to the treatment dosage and the part of the body that has been treated. Fatigue, skin reactions (like a rash or redness) in the treated area, and loss of appetite are common. There could also be a drop in the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infection. In most cases, the side effects are not permanent and the doctor can usually control them.
Chemotherapy: Depends on the drugs used and their dosages. Anti-cancer drugs affect cells that divide rapidly, especially blood cells which fight infection, help the clotting of blood or carry oxygen to the various parts of the body. If blood cells are affected, patients are likely to get infections, may bruise or bleed easily, and experience a loss of energy. As cells that line the digestive tract also divide rapidly, these may also be affected causing loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. These side effects often disappear in the recovery period or after treatment stops.
Patients are often concerned about chemo-related hair loss. Some drugs cause hair to thin out while others could lead to the loss of all body hair. It is best that the patient is informed beforehand and ways to handle hair loss discussed before treatment begins.
Loss of fertility, temporary or permanent, happens to some patients. Periods may stop and hot flushes and vaginal dryness are common. Periods are more likely to return in young women.
Hormone therapy: Patients may experience nausea and vomiting, swelling or weight gain, and, in some cases, hot flushes. Interrupted menstrual periods, vaginal dryness and loss of fertility could also happen. Changes may be temporary, long lasting or permanent.
Biological therapy: Depends on the type of treatment. Flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhoea, occur. Some develop a rash while others bruise or bleed easily. Patients may have to be hospitalized for treatment, if the problems are severe. These side effects are usually short-term and go away once treatment stops.
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