How To Teach PREVENTIVE CANCER CARE

HOW TO MAKE MORE PREVENTIVE CANCER CARE

But it is not a curable disease. Cancer, if caught early, can be successfully treated at a fraction of the cost of invasive treatment methods. One way to catch cancer at an early stage is to have regular screening tests. Most screenings can detect cancer before patients develop symptoms. Regular screening tests can help find breast, colon, cervical and lung cancer early. People over the age of 20 should have periodic health screenings for cancers of the oral cavity, skin, thyroid, ovaries and lymph nodes.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer usually shows symptoms such as a lump in the breast, a change in the size of the breast, an indentation in the skin, or swollen lymph nodes. A mammogram can detect a lump in the breast before it is felt. Also, mammograms can detect ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which can be an invasive cancer in some women. Women over 40 are recommended to have a mammogram every 1 or 2 years. For women under 40 who are at risk for breast cancer, they should consult with their health care provider periodically.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal growth of cells in the cervix. The most common cause of cervical cancer is the presence of the HPV virus. The HPV virus can be detected early through frequent HPV testing. The HPV vaccine is generally recommended for girls and women ages 11-26. In addition to the HPV test, the PVP test can detect abnormal cells that may turn into cancer. Healthcare professionals generally recommend that women over the age of 30 get tested for HPV and PVP every 3 years.

Colorectal cancer

Precancerous polyps can be detected with screening tests. If such polyps are found, they can be surgically removed before they become cancerous. Doctors often recommend that screening begin when a person turns 50. Additionally, the FOBT test, stool DNA test, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and standard colonoscopy are other accepted screening tests for colorectal cancer.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Indian men. People who smoke have the highest risk of developing lung cancer, although it can also occur in people who have never smoked. People with a history of heavy smoking (1 pack per day), or those who smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years, have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.  Doctors recommend annual lung cancer screening for people aged 55-80 and at high risk of developing lung cancer.