consultURdoctor - an informative health portalt

We all know "Prevention is better than cure." Cancer afflicts all communities worldwide, approximately 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer and more than six million die of the disease every year. About 22.4 million persons were living with cancer in the year 2000. This represents an increase of around 19% in incidence and 18% in deaths since 1990.

According to health-agency estimates approximately one-third of women diagnosed with cervical cancer will die an untimely death! Gynaecological cancers are a group of different cancers of female organs. The most common types of gynaecological cancers are those of cervix, breast, ovary and uterus. Generally most gynaecological cancers are found in women aged over 50 years, though the incidence rates for younger women have been rising.

Cervix is the connecting passage between uterus and vagina. It is a most common type accounting for 6% of all cancers. The peak incidence of cervical cancers occurs between the ages of 40-45 years. It is rare before the age of 35 years. However, the incidence in younger age group is on the rise because of increasing social liberalization. Symptoms include:

However, in early stages of the disease, there are no obvious warnings of the disease. That emphasizes the importance of screening tests like PAP smear, as also regular gynaecological examination, preferably once a year in the initial part of active sexual life, and later, as per doctor's advice, once every three years. PAP smear is a very simple, painless and cheap procedure that takes hardly a few minutes and can be done even by nurses.

Later a trained cytologist analyses the slides and reports. If the report is normal, the presence of cancer is ruled out, and the lady can take a repeat test after one year. If three such repeat yearly tests show normal report, then longer interval of screening is advised by the gynaecologists. On the other hand, if PAP smear report shows abnormality, then appropriate treatment will be administered after definitive tests like colposcopy and biopsy. In this way, the cancer can be detected at an early stage when it is curable by medical or surgical methods. The survivors can lead a normal life thereafter.

This is the second commonest cause of death among female-cancers. Normally in standing position, both the nipples should be at the same level. On breast self examination, there should not be any abnormal discharge from the nipple and no palpable lump should be felt. The affected lady, when stands in front of the mirror and performs self-examination, may notice discharge, puckering, dissimilarity of levels of nipples and maybe, a small pea-sized nodule, painless or painful. This Breast Self Examination should be done on monthly basis and any suspicious finding should be brought to the notice of the doctor immediately. Early detection of breast-cancer by simple, painless tests like mammography (a special type of x-ray of the breast) can be life saving! Here is how you should do it:

The Five Steps of a Breast Self-Exam

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here's what you should look for:

breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side-from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

Cancer of the womb (Endometrial cancer)

It is a malignancy of the inner lining of the womb and is one of the most common gynaecological cancers and accounts for 13% of all cancers in women. It is most frequently seen in women aged over 50 years. It is more common in ladies who have diabetes, high blood pressure or are overweight. Pain in the lower abdomen and bloody vaginal discharge are common complaints. If detected early survival rate is encouraging. It can be cured in early stages by medical and surgical methods.

Ovarian cancer:

Cancer of the ovaries (organs that produces eggs/ovum) are the second most common group of gynaecologic cancers and account for about 5% of all cancers in women.

Other genital cancers :

Compared to above mentioned cancers, cancers of the vagina,vulva,fallopian tubes are rare.

In the past 25 yrs there have been dramatic advances in the diagnosis and treatment of female cancers.this has resulted in increased cure rates, improved quality of life & thus provided new ray hope for cancer patients . researches in this field include not only diagnosis & treatement of cancers, but also methods to enable cancer survivors lead a diseasefree life. Comprehensive cancer care in the present era thus includes diagnosis treatment, palliation and an elaborate psychosocial support. Treatments have also been devised to address the possible annoying side effects of cancer therapies.beside treatment modalities provided by the modern system of medicine lot of cancer patients derive immencse benefit from commlimentary &alternative medicine( CAM ). According to information provided by US health agency for CAM , meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques, musis, hypnosis & therapies with traditational Indian, Chinese, tribal& folk medicine have shown promising results in comprehensive cancer care. Even in cases where cure is not possible the patient can now live the rest of his life with improved quality. Living life to the fullest & not mere survival is what the care givers are aiming for. That's how we can live beyond cancer &find a new balance.

LIVING BEYOND CANCER: FINDING A NEW BALANCE

Introduction