University Hospital Plymouth
NHS Trust
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Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Cancer is a mystery. Unleash it or tame it. your choice.
Cancer Screening
Cancer screening is the detection of the presence of cancer before any sign or a symptom. Hence allowing very early detection of cancer leading to cure without hassle. There are well-establised cancer screening methods. Cancer screening can be done as national screening or opportunistic screening. For certain cancers, it is ideal to screen vulnerable populations only. For example screening of family members of cancer patients who has evidence to suggest familial cancers or genetically inherited mutations in cancer protection pathways. There are different screening tools for different cancers. For breast cancer mammography and an ultrasound scan of the breast. For colorectal cancer fecal cult blood and colonoscopy. For lung cancer chest x-ray and high-resolution computer tomography (CT) in vulnerable populations. The introduction of HPV vaccination prevents more than ninety-five percent of cervical cancers. However regular cancer screening with Pap smear is the standard cervical cancer screening technique. So the public should aware that can er screening at ideal timing is a very important step in their lives in order to achieve a cure without suffering.
Cancer is an abnormal cell growth that can arise in any cell in the body at any given time which is called a malignant tumor. They have unique features such as limitless replication, evasion of surrounding structures, new vessels formation, Ability to spread through blood, lymphatics, and sometimes nerves. But there are other abnormal growth n the body which do not shaw above features. They are known as benign tumors or lesions. Some of these benign lesions may transform into malignant later in life. White patches in the inner surface of the oral cavity (Leucolpakia), Red patches in the inner surface of the oral cavity (Erythroplakia) are examples of pre-cancerous lesions. The public should be well aware of them and get rid of them as soon as possible warranting no risk of transform into cancer.
Precancerous lesions
Early signs and symptoms
The public should well aware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer. Signs and symptoms vary according to cancer type. For an example; post-coital bleeding and intermenstrual bleeding is an early symptom of cervical cancer and endometrial or uterine cancers respectively. The abnormal pigmented patch may be an early sign of skin cancer. Difficulty in swallowing is an early symptom of cancers in swallowing pipe. (Oesophagus). Horseness of voice or voice changes may be an early sign of vocal cord cancer.
There are important lifestyle modifications to follow in order to stay away from cancer. It is very important to recognize the causes for each and every cancer. Only five to ten percent of cancers are hereditary or familial. Obviously, more than ninety percent of cancers are acquired. What are the main cancer causative agents? Smoking, air pollution, chemicals, alcohol, and certain food preservative have found to as direct