Cancer
In our bodies, it is normal for cells to die and renew. This process is controlled by our genes. In cancer, damage to the genes can cause cells to multiply to form a tumour. Most cancers start due to changes in the genes that happen over a persons lifetime but some cancers are caused by inherited genetic abnormalities which are handed down from our parents.
There are over 200 types of cancers and 1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer.
Cancer is in the top 10 causes of death in every country. In the UK, lung cancer is the 6th most common cause of death in women, closely followed by breast cancer at number 7 and bowel cancer at number 8. In the USA, cancer is at number 2.
Is there anything you can do to prevent cancer? Yes – at least a third of all cancers are preventable.
The World Health Organisation have listed ways to prevent cancer:
- Tobacco – is the single greatest avoidable factor for cancer worldwide. It is estimated that tobacco causes 22% of cancer deaths per year. In 2004, 1.6 million of the 7.4 million cancer deaths were due to tobacco use. Smoking causes lung, oesophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervical cancer. Passive smoking – or second hand smoking – has been proven to cause lung cancer in non-smoking adults.
- Physical inactivity, dietary factors, obesity – there is a link to being overweight for many cancers including oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. A healthy diet (fruit and vegetables with reduced red and processed meat) can prevent 1 in 10 cancers. Along with regular physical activity and reduced stress, these lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of cancer.
- Alcohol – is a risk factor for many cancers including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. The risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Heavy drinking and smoking substantially increases the risk for oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus cancer.
- Radiation- can also cause cancer, especially radiation from the sun which can result in skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, using sun screen and protective clothing can reduce these cancers. UV emitting tanning devices are now also classified as carcinogenic.
Other factors that cause cancer are infections, environmental pollution, occupational carcinogens and other forms of radiation.
We will be writing more articles on cancer over the coming weeks.
Read More:
https://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/en/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/women/
https://www.nfcr.org/node/3003?gclid=Cj0KEQiAq920BRC8-efn57XrotYBEiQAlVlMQxpbRb39R-wIZseMzaLny7h85OhonlI9SSAPgVJp26EaAs6u8P8HAQ
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer?ds_kids=p5466128217&adc=cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQiAq920BRC8-efn57XrotYBEiQAlVlMQzcjlNCBkY60WX0FWL3kx2wC34OjcI5kuR3_L91PEIUaAjs28P8HAQ&dclid=CNG9mbL1qMoCFcYbFgodickDxA
So much research has been done on cancer and there are several screening tests and successful treatments but it is still a major killer – especially for those over 50 years of age. There are many different types of cancer and they have very different symptoms. But if cancer is caught early, you have a much better chance of successful treatment.
Some general signs of cancer are below but these symptoms can be caused by many different things. They are in no special order. If you spot something different for you – see your Doctor. We often hear of Doctors making the wrong diagnosis, so it might be worth getting a second opinion if you are worried.
Breathlessness
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Persistent heartburn or indigestion
Looser poo or pooing more often
Feeling bloated
Difficulty swallowing
Sore that will not heal
Mouth or tongue ulcer that will not heal
Heavy night sweats
Unusual breast changes
Blood in your poo or wee
Unexplained weight loss
New mole or changes to a mole
Persistent cough or coughing up blood
Problems peeing
Unexplained pain or ache
Unusual lump or swelling anywhere
There is a lot of information on the Cancer Research UK web site. Global women have written about drinking and cancer,ovarian cancer, cervcial cancer, treatments for breast cancer, preventing cancer and many other posts – search cancer on our web site.
Read more:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/cancer/
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/2016/01/cervical-cancer-prevention-week/
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/2016/01/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month/
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/2016/01/cancer-can-we-prevent-it/
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/2016/01/new-method-for-better-treatment-of-breast-cancer/
https://www.globalwomenconnected.com/2016/02/think-about-cancer-before-you-have-a-glass-of-wine/
Breast cancer is caused when breast tissue divides abnormally and causes a lump. Over 80% of lumps in the breast are not cancer, but for the 20% that are, there are a range of treatments that can be offered to stop the cancer spreading.
Breast cancer has increased because of life style changes, such as an increase in drinking alcohol and smoking. The lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is 1 in 8 which means about 13% of women will get breast cancer. The majority (80%) of breast cancer occurs in women over 50.
Since we have improved early detection of breast cancer and have better treatments, over 80% of women survive longer than 5 years after the diagnosis. However, in the UK over 11,000 women die from breast cancer every year. So please read this article and check your breasts as often as you can. Any worries – go to your doctor.
What causes breast cancer
There are several different types of breast cancer and different causes. Our lifestyle, environment and genes can affect our risk. In about 5% of cases there is a genetic link. If your family has a high prevalence of breast and/or ovarian cancer, you may be at a genetic risk and blood tests can be done to check this. If you have a genetic risk there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your chance of getting cancer. Genes called BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 or PTEN are linked with breast cancer.
You can reduce the risk of breast cancer
There are lifestyle changes that we can all make to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These include 30 minutes of daily physical activity, lowering your alcohol intake, not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, breast feeding and limiting the dose and duration of HRT.
How is breast cancer diagnosed
You should regularly look and feel your breasts to check for any changes or lumps. Look at your breasts in a mirror to see if there are any changes. Feel all around your breasts including under your armpit. If you notice any changes, immediately go to your doctor to have it checked.
You should regularly have breast screening. This involves creating images of your breasts by a mammogram or ultrasound – the method used will depend on your age. Sometimes both methods are used.
Mammograms are X rays of the breasts. A mammogram only takes a few minutes and it can clearly see if there are any abnormal lumps in the breast. In women over 50, they should have a mammogram every three years.
Ultrasound creates an image of your breast using sound waves and is often better suited for younger women.
If a lump is found, a biopsy may be done to remove some of the cells from the lump to determine if the cells are cancerous or benign.
What are the treatments
Breast cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or biological (combined) therapy. The exact treatment given will depend on the stage of the cancer and how it was diagnosed.
Surgery is normally the first treatment in breast cancer. Some women will need a mastectomy to remove all the breast tissue but they may go on to have surgery to reconstruct the breasts. Surgery is usually followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or, in some cases, hormone or biological treatments.
Chemotherapy involves giving specific chemicals to kill the cancer cells. Radiotherapy involves using high energy rays to kill the cancer cells.
Some breast cancers are stimulated to grow by oestrogen or progesterone – hormone-receptor-positive cancers. Hormone therapy works by lowering the levels of hormones in your body. After surgery, women may be given hormonal therapies to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Some breast cancers are caused by a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Biological therapy works by stopping the effects of HER2 and by helping your immune system to fight off cancer cells.
Please share this post with your friends. We should all be aware of our breasts and prevent breast cancer.
Read More:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/QS12/chapter/introduction-and-overview
https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/
https://screening.breastcancernow.org/?_ga=1.84502749.550197159.1455780956#-introduction
Female or gynaecological cancers
The five common female cancers are:
Cervical cancer is not inherited. In almost all cases it is caused by sexual transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV). About 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point but in the majority of people it does not lead to cervical cancer. There are over 100 types of HPV and each type is given a number. Different HPVs affect different parts of the body and causes lesions. HPV 1 and 2 cause verrucas, some strains cause genital warts and some strains lead to certain cancers including cervical cancer in women or penile/anal cancer in men.
Cervical screening involves taking a few cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to test for changes which might develop into cervical cancer in the future. Cervical smears can prevent up to 75% of cancer developing. Results from a smear test are summarised in the tables below.
If a smear is positive, a woman will be invited to have a colposcopy, which is where the cervix is looked at using a microscope. Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) is when there are changes in the cells of the cervical.
CIN 1 – is when one-third of the thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected. It is not pre-cancerous, the abnormal cells will usually return to normal on their own
CIN 2 – this is when two-thirds of the thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected. This should be treated.
CIN 3 – this is when the full thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected. This should be treated as soon as possible.
The abnormal cells will be treated to destroy them so they do not form into cancer. This can be done using a variety of treatments: Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) an electric current is used to cut away the cells and heal the wound, Cone biopsy where a cone of tissue is removed, Straight wire excision of the transformation zone (SWETZ) or needlepoint excision of the transformation zone (NETZ) which is similar to the cone biopsy, Cryotherapy where the cells are frozen, Laser treatments and Cold coagulation.
Recent advancements in vaccines against the HPV are highly effective when given to adolescents and can reduce cervical cancer rates even further. The vaccines cover the strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Currently in the UK, schoolchildren are offered the vaccination at age 12, in order to reduce the chance of them being infected by HPV and decrease their chance of getting cervical cancer. The vaccine does not work if given after somebody has become sexually active, because HPV is so widespread. It is also of no benefit to someone who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
But with all this screening and vaccination – cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women under 35. In the EU every year, 60,000 women get cervical cancer and 30,000 die from it. In the UK 3000 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Why are these numbers so high – it’s because in some countries, the screening and vaccination programmes are not working properly. And also some women do not know about the programmes.
Cervical cancer is preventable if caught early – so please make sure you have a regular smear test.
Read More:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/cervical-cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovary and surrounding tissues. It has the highest mortality of all female cancers and survival rates have not decreased for over 30 years. Each year worldwide there are 250,000 women affected and 150,000 who die. In the UK, there are over 7000 new cases per year and over 4000 deaths in the 2012. It is referred to as the silent killer as it is difficult to detect until it is quite advanced, which results in a lower survival rate.
Causes and risk factors:
Age – over 85% of cases are over 50 years
Family history including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations (but only 1 in 10 cases has a genetic link)
Northern European or Ashkenazi Jewish descent
Starting periods before aged 12 with a late menopause
Never having had children
Infertility and infertility treatment
First child after 30 years
Never having taken oral contraceptives
Using oestrogen only hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Symptoms are:
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain or swelling
Feeling bloated
Back ache
Eating problems including feeling full after eating, difficulty eating, indigestion, nausea, vomiting
Frequent or urgent urination
Constipation
Fatigue
Menstrual changes
Pain during intercourse
Ascites are often present. This is a build up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and are secondary to cancer. They are common in women with advanced disease. This makes women feel unwell and they describe ascites as the worst experience of the cancer journey. Over 70% of women with ovarian cancer have ascites.
Screening and diagnosis:
Unfortunately there are currently no screening methods for ovarian cancer but the Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre at University College London, headed by Professor Usha Menon, is coordinating a large multi-centre trial focused on screening and early detection of ovarian cancer called the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). It was designed to determine how many lives could be saved by screening for ovarian cancer and the latest results show that an annual blood test could reduce the number of women dying by 20% but the study is ongoing.
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. A diagnosis is made by a physical examination to check for lumps in the abdomen, including a vaginal examination, blood tests to check for CA125 (a cancer marker), imaging and ultrasound scans, CT or PET scan or a colonoscopy. A firm diagnosis can only be made after a biopsy. NICE have produced guidelines to help GPs recognize ovarian cancer.
There is an ovarian symptoms diary app aimed to help women keep track of their symptoms so they can discuss this with their doctor more effectively.
FIGO have classed four grades of ovarian cancer.
Stage I – cancer confined to ovaries – 10 year survival is 73%
Stage II – cancer spread to the pelvis
Stage III – cancer spread to the abdominal cavity including liver, pelvis, inguinal para-aortic lymph nodes or bowel
Stage IV – cancer spread to liver, lung, and other sites – 10 year survival less than 10%
Treatment:
Surgery is undertaken to remove as much of the tumour as possible. There is a correlation between the amount of tumour left after the surgery and the outcome. After surgery, chemotherapy is used. If the cancer is very widespread, chemotherapy might be used before surgery.
Outcome:
Unfortunately a very small number are caught early. If caught early a woman’s chance of 5 year survival will be over 90%. But 75% of ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage and will have a poor outcome – a 5 year survival of 30%.
Ovarian cancer charities:
There are several charities in the UK working on ovarian cancer and there are probably charities in your country: Ovacome, Ovarian Cancer Action, Target Ovarian Cancer, and The Eve Appeal.
March 2016 is ovarian cancer awareness month. Find out more about ovarian cancer month here. #startmakingnoise
Read More:
https://www.ovacome.org.uk/
https://www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/
https://www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/what-ovarian-cancer
https://www.eveappeal.org.uk/
Cancer of the womb (uterine or endometrial) – to follow
Cancer of the vulva – to follow
Cancer of the vagina – to follow