1.Name: Breast Cancer
Chances of Early Detection: Very High
Signs and Symptoms: Palpable lump in breast, secretion from nipple, severe pain in breast
Self-Method of Early Detection: Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: Mammography
Different Stages of this Cancer: It can spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the spine, liver or any other.
When to contact your Oncologist?
The moment you sense a lump or cyst or detect any secretion from the nipple you must contact an oncologist. Women above the age of 45 must get a mammography done annually.
Treatment: Treatment consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy depending on the type of breast cancer and stage of the disease. In some subset of good risk breast cancers chemotherapy can be avoided. Multimodality approach is the key to complete cure
2.Name: Cervical Cancer
Chances of Early Detection: Very High
Signs and Symptoms: Bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, pain during sexual intercourse, increase in vaginal discharge, sudden pain in the pelvic region
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: PAP Test
Different Stages of this Cancer: It can spread from the cervix to other parts of the body
When to contact your Oncologist?
The moment you sense any of the above symptoms go in for a PAP test and contact an oncologist
Treatment: Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease. Generally surgery followed by radiation will be done
3.Name: Ovarian Cancer
Chances of early detection: No screening test helps in early detection. Hereditary linkage is high where there is BRCA gene positivity. Prophylactic surgery is offered after completion of family.
Signs and Symptoms: Abdominal bloating, weight gain, decreased appetite
Diagnostic Test: Transvaginal Ultra Sound (TVUS) and CA—125 Blood Test
When to contact your Oncologist?The moment you sense any of the above symptoms go in for a PAP test and contact an oncologist
Treatment: Surgery followed by chemotherapy. In early stages chemotherapy is not recommended.
Name: Prostate Cancer
Signs and symptoms: Pain in the hips, pelvis and spine, blood in the urine and semen
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: Screening in men above 55 years of age with Serum PSA.
Different Stages of this Cancer: It can spread from the prostate gland to other parts of the body
When to contact your Oncologist?
- The moment you sense pain in the hips, blood in the urine or semen, difficulty in ejaculation you must contact an oncologist
Treatment: Treatment depends on disease stage and life expectancy. In early stages surgery is the standard of care. In locally advanced Prostate Cancer, Radiation followed by Hormonal Therapy is done. And in metastatic Prostate Cancer, Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy is the standard of care. Upon progression different options are available.
Name: Head and Neck Cancer (It is commonly referred to as Throat Cancer)
(SAY NO TO SMOKING AND TOBACCO CHEWING)
Chances of Early Detection: High??
Signs and symptoms: Persistent ulcer in the mouth, enlarged lymph nodes in neck area, pain in the ear, blood in phlegm, pain in the jaw, difficulty in chewing and swallowing
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: Biopsy, Endoscopy, Blood and Urine test, Ultrasound and other state-of-the-art diagnostic tests depending on the type and stage of disease
Different Stages of this Cancer: This cancer can spread form the head and neck area to other parts of the body
When to contact your Oncologist?
Any persistent ulcer in the mouth is a cause for worry. In case you have any abnormal signs of pain in the head and neck area contact an oncologist
Treatment: Surgery is recommended in the early stage. In the advanced stage Radiation is given. All this will also depend on the organs involved.
Name: Lung Cancer (SAY NO TO SMOKING AND TOBACCO CHEWING)
CAUTIONARY NOTE: Cigarette Smoking and tobacco chewing is one of the primary causes of cancer deaths. Please say no to smoking and chewing of tobacco and minimise the possibility of cancer
Chances of Early Detection: Yes in high risk patients who smoke, screening with LDCT is recommended.
Signs and symptoms: Persistent cough, change in breathing, pain in chest, loss of weight
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: Lung Biopsy, Tomography, Bronchoscopy
Different Stages of this Cancer: It can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body
When to contact your Oncologist?
A persistent cough, sudden loss of weight, pain in the chest area, change in breathing pattern, wheezing need attention. You must contact an oncologist in these situations.
Treatment: In recent years treatment of lung cancer has evolved considerably. Again treatment will depend on disease stage. As most of the lung cancers are metastatic upfront, personalised approach is preferred ranging from targeted therapy to Immunotherapy.
Name: Stomach Cancer
Signs and symptoms: Feeling of full stomach on eating small meals, recurrent acidity and pain in the stomach, nausea
Diagnostic Test for Early Detection: Complete Blood Count (CBC) blood test, Biopsy
Different Stages of this Cancer: It can spread from the stomach to other parts of the body
When to contact your Oncologist?
The moment you sense pain in the stomach. On eating small meals also if you feel you are on full stomach you must contact your oncologist
Treatment: Depends on disease stage. In metastatic setting role of targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis is evolving.
Name: Leukaemia
Signs and Symptoms: More bleeding than usual in the case of minor injury, Anaemia, Pain in the bone and joints
Diagnostic Test: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Peripheral Smear, Bone Marrow Aspiration, Flow Cytometry
When to contact your Oncologist?
- Any unusual sign in the child such as abnormal pain, trouble breathing or excessive bleeding in case of minor injury calls for further diagnostic tests.
Treatment: There is almost ninety percent chance of cure with Chemotherapy. In high risk patients cure rate goes down with 5 year survival of 60-70%
Side Effects
- Immediate side effects can be infection or allergic reaction to drug. Infection sometimes causes death in rare scenario.
- Late side effects can be GVHD Acute or Chronic. Sometimes chemotherapy can have late side effects which patient has to discuss with his or her physician.
- I would say before meeting the Oncologist, read about the disease, cure rates with transplants and write a set of questions which you want to ask. If you forgot, ask next time so there should be no confusion in your mind especially when you are going for such an aggressive treatment.