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EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER
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Breast Cancer | Cervical Cancer |
Prostate Cancer
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Ovarian Cancer
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Breast Cancer
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EVERY LADY SHOULD CHECK HER BREAST ONCE A
MONTH .
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Breast Cancer: Steps to
Finding Breast Lumps Early
Changes to look for in your breasts
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Any new lump (which may or may not be painful or tender)
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Unusual thickening of your breasts
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Sticky or bloody discharge from your nipples
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Any changes in the skin of your nipples or breasts, such as puckering or
dimpling
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An unusual increase in the size of one breast
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One breast unusually lower than the other
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How can I find breast
cancer early? |
The best way to find breast lumps is to do 3
things:
* Have regular mammograms (usually every 1-2 years starting around age 40).
* Have your doctor check your breasts.
* Check your breasts yourself every month.
Doing all of these things gives you the best chance to find cancer as early as
you can. Finding breast cancer early makes treatment much easier and more
effective. |
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What is a mammogram? |
A mammogram is the most effective way to find
breast cancer early, up to 2 years before the lump is even large enough to feel.
A mammogram is a special kind of X-ray of your breasts. The amount of radiation
used in the X-ray is very small and not harmful.
Mammograms detect cancer because cancer is more dense (thicker) than the normal
part of the breast. A radiologist will look at the X-rays for signs of cancer or
other breast problems. |
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How is a mammogram
performed? |
Your breast will rest
on a shelf and the X-ray machine will slowly press against your breast until you
feel pressure. This pressure is needed to spread your breast out so that a
better X-ray can be taken. The X-ray takes 1 or 2 minutes, and the entire
process usually takes no more than about 20 minutes.
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Do mammograms hurt? |
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Mammograms can be uncomfortable. But they
don't take very long. You may find that planning to have your mammogram shortly
after your period makes it less uncomfortable. Your breasts may be less tender
at this time.
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How often should I get a
mammogram? |
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Women age 40 and over should get a mammogram
every 1 to 2 years. If you have risk factors for breast cancer, such as a family
history of breast cancer, your doctor may want you to have mammograms more often
or start having them sooner. |
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How often should my
doctor check my breasts? |
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Every 1 to 2 years beginning when you're 20.
Talk with your doctor when it's time for your breasts to be checked. |
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How often should I check
my breasts? |
You should check your breasts every month
beginning at about age 20. At this early age, any small lumps are probably just
normal breast glands and ducts. Over time you will get used to how your breasts
normally feel so that you're able to tell if a new lump appears.
Check your breasts a few days after your period (when your breasts are usually
less sore). If you don't have periods or if they come at varying times, check
your breasts at the same time every month.
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How do I check for lumps? |
Start by standing in front of a mirror. Look
at your breasts with your arms at your side, with your arms raised behind your
head, and with your arms on your hips and your chest muscles flexed.
Next, lie down with a pillow under your left shoulder. Put your left hand behind
your head and feel your left breast with the pads of the 3 middle fingers on
your right hand. Start at the outer edge and work around your breast in small
circles, getting closer to your nipple with each circle. After you've finished
checking your breast, squeeze your nipple gently and look for discharge (fluid
coming out of the nipple).
Do the same thing to your right breast with a pillow under your right shoulder.
Be sure to include the area up to your collarbone and out to your armpit. You
have lymph nodes in this area. Cancer can spread to lymph node tissue |
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Cervical Cancer
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Signs and Symptoms
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Vaginal bleeding
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Menstrual bleeding is longer and
heavier than usual
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Bleeding after menopause or
increased vaginal discharge
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Bleeding following intercourse or
pelvic exam
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Pain during intercourse
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Risk Factors
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- Human papillomavirus
infection (HPV) – Primary factor.
- HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, HPV 45.
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Prevention
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- Avoiding the risk factors
- Especially HPV
- Help for low-income women (NBCCEDP)
- Having the Pap Test
- 3 years after first vaginal intercourse or by
age 21.
- Have test annually
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Prostate Cancer
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If the cancer is caught at its earliest
stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will
experience symptoms such as frequent, hesitant, or burning urination, difficulty
in having an erection, or pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper
thighs.
Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or
disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough
work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. . |
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
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If the cancer is caught at its earliest
stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will
experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer,
including: |
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A need to urinate
frequently, especially at night;
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Difficulty starting
urination or holding back urine;
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Weak or interrupted flow
of urine;
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Painful or burning
urination;
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Difficulty in having an
erection;
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Painful ejaculation;
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Blood in urine or semen;
or
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Frequent pain or
stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
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Because these symptoms can also indicate the
presence of other diseases or disorders, such as BPH or prostatitis, men who
experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine
the underlying cause of the symptoms.
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If no symptoms, how is
prostate cancer detected? |
Screening for prostate cancer can be
performed in a physician’s office using two tests: the PSA (prostate-specific
antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
It is recommended that both the PSA and DRE should be offered annually,
beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy. Men at
high risk, such as African American men and men with a strong family history of
one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed at an early age should begin
testing at age 45. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree
relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40.
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PSA & DRE Screening
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The purpose of screening for cancer is to
detect the cancer at its earliest stages, before any symptoms have
developed.Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the
presence of prostate cancer. Because these symptoms can also indicate the
presence of other diseases or disorders (such as BPH or prostatitis), these men
will undergo a more thorough work-up. Typically, men whose prostate cancer is
detected through screening are found to have very early-stage disease that can
be treated most effectively.Screening for prostate cancer can be performed
quickly and easily in a physician’s office using two tests: the PSA
(prostate-specific antigen) blood test, and the digital rectal exam (DRE). |
The PSA Blood Test
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PSA is a protein
produced by the prostate and released in very small amounts into the
bloodstream. When there’s a problem with the prostate, such as when prostate
cancer develops and grows, more and more PSA is released, until it reaches a
level where it can be easily detected in the blood.
During a PSA test, a small amount of blood is
drawn from the arm, and the level of PSA is measured. PSA levels under 4 ng/mL
are usually considered "normal," results over 10 ng/mL are usually considered
"high," and results between 4 and 10 ng/mL are usually considered
"intermediate."
However, PSA can
also be elevated if other prostate problems are present, such as BPH or
prostatitis, and some men with prostate cancer have "low" levels of PSA. This is
why both the PSA and DRE are used to detect the presence of disease.
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The Digital Rectal Exam
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During a DRE, the physician inserts a gloved,
lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for any
irregularities in size, shape, and texture. Often, the DRE can be used by
urologists to help distinguish between prostate cancer and non-cancerous
conditions such as BPH. |
Urine Tests
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A lab checks the urine for blood or
infection.
The doctor may order tests to learn more about the cause of the symptoms and
help determine whether conditions of the prostate are benign or malignant. |
Transrectal
Ultrasonogrophy
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The sound waves that cannot
be heard by humans are sent out by probe interested into the rectum.The waves
bounce off the prostate, and a computer uses the echoes a picture called a
sonogram.
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Should I Be Screened? |
The American Cancer Society recommends that
both the PSA and DRE should be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who
have at least a 10-year life expectancy. Men at high risk, such as African
American men and men with a strong family history of one or more first-degree
relatives {Any relative who is one meiosis away from a particular individual in
a family (i.e., parent, sibling, offspring)}diagnosed at an early age, should
begin testing at age 45. However, all men over 40 should speak with their
doctors at the the time of their annual physicals and develop a proactive
prostate health plan that is right for them based on their lifestyles and family
history.
There is no unanimous opinion in the medical
community regarding the benefits of prostate cancer screening. Those who
advocate regular screening believe that finding and treating prostate cancer
early offers men more treatment options with potentially fewer side effects.
Those who recommend against regular screening note that because most prostate
cancers grow very slowly, the side effects of treatment would likely outweigh
any benefit that might be derived from detecting the cancer at a stage when it
is unlikely to cause problems.
Because a decision of whether to be screened
for prostate cancer is a personal decision, it's important that each man talk
with his doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for him. |
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Ovarian Cancer
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Symptoms
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Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious
symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
- Pressure or pain in
the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs
- A swollen or
bloated abdomen
Less common symptoms include:
- Shortness of
breath
- Feeling the need to
urinate often
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
(heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)
Most often these symptoms are not due to
cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure. Any woman with these symptoms
should tell her doctor.
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Risk factors
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Doctors cannot always
explain why one woman develops ovarian cancer and another does not. However, we
do know that women with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to
develop ovarian cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance
of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:
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Family history of cancer
- Personal history of
cancer
- Age over 55
- Never pregnant
- Menopausal hormone
therapy
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Diagnosis
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If you have a symptom
that suggests ovarian cancer, your doctor must find out whether it is due to
cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor may ask about your personal and
family medical history.
You may have one or more of the following tests. Your doctor can explain more
about each test:
- Physical exam:
Your doctor checks general signs of health. Your doctor may press on
- your abdomen to check
for tumors or an abnormal buildup of fluid (ascites). A sample of fluid can be
taken to look for ovarian cancer cells.
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