Knowing and Surviving Cancer (First of two parts)

Cancer kills. But early detection increases the chance of surviving it.

Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI-EJACC) said early detection still remains the primary defense available against any type of cancer.

It is because early detection of cancer increases the chances of successful treatment. Education on early prognosis and screenings are two major components of early detection. Increased knowledge on the warning signs of cancer, both of medical practitioners and of the public, is among the efforts of EJACC in fighting the dreaded the disease.

Some cancer types have available screenings already, such as mammography in breast cancer and pap smear in cervical cancer. Screening refers to the use of simple tests across a healthy population to identify individuals who have the disease but do not yet have the symptoms.

"There are, in fact, screening methods that the public can use to prevent cancer. They need proper education about this and its impact to their health," delos Reyes said.

In support of the third week of January being Cancer Consciousness Week, we present below early detection methods in some common cancer types that the public should be aware of:

Breast Cancer. Breast cancer screening means checking a woman's breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. This can help discover cancer when it is still at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it is easier to treat.

This type of cancer originates from a breast tissue. The primary risk factors for breast cancer are sex, old age, lack of childbearing or breastfeeding, higher hormone levels (specifically estrogen), dietary iodine deficiency, high fat diets, alcohol intake, tobacco use, obesity, and hereditary factors.

It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the population-based Cebu Cancer Registry of RAFI-EJACC.

EJACC records show that women ages 50 to 54 are the ones most likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2003-2007, there were 657 deaths out of the 1,349 breast cancer cases.

Delos Reyes said three periodic examinations are employed to screen breasts for cancer. These are monthly breast self-examination (BSE), annual clinical breast examination (CBE), and annual mammography.

Beginning in their 20s, women should do breast self-examination, which enables them to familiarize with their breasts for lumps, especially in the armpit area, and on the changes or abnormalities in the shape or size

When women reach 40, they should have an annual clinical breast examination (CBE), which should be done by a trained healthcare professional.

Annual mammography, on the other hand, should be done at the age of 40 and above. A mammogram is a low dose X-ray of the breast used to detect abnormalities even when they may be too small yet for you or your doctor to feel or see.

            Cervical Cancer.  Despite the remarkable breakthrough of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines as preventive measure against cervical cancer, knowledge gaps at all levels of the social strata contributes significantly to the high incidence of cervical cancer.

Development of HPV infections is due to risky sexual practices that include having sex at an early age and having multiple sexual partners for both men and women.

Approved by the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs last 2006, quadrivalent and bivalent vaccines prevent HPV infections. Both vaccines protect against initial infections of HPV types 16 and 18, which cause most of the HPV-associated cancer cases.

Quadrivalent vaccine also protects against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause ninety percent of genital warts.

To be most effective, HPV vaccines should be given before a person has any type of sexual debut, when HPV infection risk is at its lowest.  The recommendation is to get vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 27 and can enjoy a high level of immunity. Pregnant women should not get the vaccine.

            "The cost of the vaccine puts it out of reach of many women. Currently, the three doses (via injection) of the vaccine costs a total of P6, 000-quite a sum of money for an average Filipino. The vaccine is given in three shots over a six-month period (day 1, month 2, and month 6)," de los Reyes said.

Other preventive measures include HPV testing and regular cervical screening (pap smear) annually or as advised by the obstetric. (Next: Knowing liver cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.)