ONCOLOGY INSTITUTE OF VOJVODINA
Sremska Kamenica
Phone: +381 (0)21 480 5500
Fax:
+381 (0)21 6613 741
E-mail:
info@onk.ns.ac.rs
PAGE Prevention and treatment: Prevention the 12 most frquent cancer localizations
Cancer prevention Breat self-examination Testicle self-examination Cancer treatment

PREVENTION THE 12 MOST FREQUENT CANCER LOCALIZATIONS

BREAST CANCER

Medical treatment and diagnostics of breast cancer is prescribed in the official publication of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia titled "The guide for diagnosing and treating breast cancer".

RISK FACTORS
Age (the risk increases with the age).
Family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer prior to menopause (only in the female line in the family: mother, sister or daughter).
Abnormal results of breast biopsy.
Atypical hyperplasia (benign change in the breast).
First menstrual period prior to the age of 12 and menopause after the age of 55.
No pregnancy or giving birth to the first child after the age of 30.
Higher education and a higher social status.
Obesity or an increase of weight following one's menopause.
Presumed risk factors:
Oestrogen, diet rich in animal fats, insufficient physical activity and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Long-term stress.
Injury of a breast.
Insufficient breast hygiene.

EARLY SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER
Single hard node in a breast which does not hurt.
If part of breast skin or underarm skin has a changed look, if it is recessed or swollen.
AIf blood vessels on one breast are becoming significantly more visible than on the other one.
A recessed nipple.
Changes on a nipple in the form of a rash or a changed skin structure.
Occurrence of secretion from a nipple, especially when containing blood.

ADVISED MEASURES OF BREAST CANCER PREVENTION
Monthly breast self-examination starting from the age of 20.
The basic (first) mammogram around the woman's age of 45.
A mammogram per year or every second year for women between the ages of 45 and 49, depending on the results of the basic mammogram.
A mammogram per year for women above the age of 50.
A clinical examination of breasts with a specialist doctor once in three years for the women between the ages of 20 and 39, and thereafter once a year.
Keeping a personal calendar for recording the results of breast self-exams, mammography or appointed examinations by physicians.
Genetic examinations are desirable for the persons with a family history of cancer.
Obesity after menopause should be prevented as it can increase the risk for breast cancer occurrence.
A normal level of hormones can be improved by physical exercises for 4-5 hours per week, and a normal level of hormones decreases the risk for breast cancer occurrence.
Conduct a hormone therapy exclusively under the supervision of a physician, and by no means independently or without the supervision of a physician, as otherwise you may increase the risk for breast cancer occurrence.
In case after menopause you decide on a specific therapy which decrease the risk for breast cancer occurrence (tamoxifen, etc.), it should be indicated exclusively by a physician, as they can have significant side effects.

BASIC STATISTICS OF BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer - the most frequent
malignant disease
 
Breast cancer - the most frequent cause of death out
of all malignant diseases
 
25.7% of all malignant diseases of women
is breast cancer - every fourth woman with
a malignant disease has a breast cancer!
 
22.2% of all women suffering from malignant
diseases die from breast cancer - every fifth deceased
woman with a malignant disease died from breast cancer!

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant disease of women on the territory of Serbia. Every year the number of new cases among women is progressively increased, and the mortality from this malignant disease is unfortunately not decreasing. The age of the ill is all the lower, so that the number of ill young women under the age of thirty is on the upswing. These data force us to be constantly on guard. However, do not forget that an early detected breast cancer is curable in a large number of cases!

CERVICAL CANCER

Medical treatment and diagnostics of cervical cancer is prescribed in the official publication of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia titled "The guide for diagnosing and treating cervical cancer".

RISK FACTORS
Infection by human papillomavirus of high risk.
Existence of an immunodeficiency (infection by HIV virus, usage of an immunosuppressive therapy).
Specific sexual characteristics of a woman: early sexual debut, within 2 years from the first menstrual period; existence of other sexually transmitted diseases; number of sexual partners of 7 and above; a higher number of "accidental" sexual partners; partners ill from venereal diseases.
Smoking.
Inadequate diet (insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruit, too much animal fats).
Existence of cervical cancer in one's family.
Specific reproductive characteristics of a woman: first pregnancy within 2 years from the first menstrual period; number of term pregnancies of 4 and above.
Usage of oral hormonal contraceptives over a number of years.
Low socioeconomic standard.

EARLY SIGNS OF CERVICAL CANCER
At the early stage of its development, a cervical cancer is most usually without any symptoms. When the symptoms appear, in most of the cases the matter is about an already advanced form of the disease. The most frequent symptoms of the early stage of the disease is all types of bleeding outside the regular menstrual period:
Sanious, watery secretion.
OHeavy bleeding.
Meager, spotty bleeding.
Bleeding during and after sexual intercourses, between two menstrual periods or during menopause.
Vaginal secretion of an altered quality.
Pain (most often in the lower back or a leg).

UTERINE CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Related to a long-term exposure of a woman to the effects of oestrogen.
First menstrual period before the age of 12.
Menopause after the age of 55.
Hormonal substitutional therapy by oestrogen, without usage of progesterone.
No pregnancy.
History of infertility.
Personal history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
Obesity.

EARLY SIGNS OF UTERINE CANCER
Abnormal vaginal bleeding (bleeding between regular menstrual periods, heavier menstrual bleeding, or bleeding after already commenced menopause).
Not every of these bleedings is an indication of a cancer, but one should nonetheless consult a gynaecologist.

OVARIAN CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer.
Personal history of breast cancer, colon cancer or uterine cancer.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.
Assumed risk factors: extended usage of high doses of estrogen without progesterone, diet rich in fats of animal origin, exposure to certain chemical matters.

EARLY SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER
At the early stage, ovarian cancer also has no noticeable symptoms.
Loss of appetite.
Indigestion, nausea, flatulence.
Unexpected increase of body weight.
Distended abdomen.
Pain in the lower part of abdomen.
Changes in the functioning of the large intestine and in the evacuation of one's bowels, as well as changes in the functioning of the urinary bladder.

PROSTATE CANCER

PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (not counting skin cancer). It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men. Many of the risk factors for prostate cancer, such as your age, race, and family history can't be controlled. But there are some things you can do that might lower your risk of prostate cancer.
Nutrition: diets high in certain vegetables (including tomatoes (ketchup, sauce, fresh, juice) and strawberries may be linked with a lower risk of prostate cancer. After the age of 25, it is advisable to start taking combined supplements with selenium at least (200 mcg /a day) and vitamine E (about 270 mg) because in such a combination it can lower the risk of prostate cancer.
Having positive family history (father, brother, or uncle with prostate cancer or breast cancer in mother lineage of relatives) is an indication for screening test on prostate cancer starting from the age of 40.

EARLY SIGNS OF PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms due to pressure of tumor size on urethra canal. The symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia and advanced prostate cancer may be similar :
Trouble urinating.
Frequent urination (especially at night).
Decreased force in the stream of urine.
Blood in the urine.
Discomfort in the pelvic area.
Body pain (especially bone pain).
Erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation.

TESTICULAR CANCER

PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF TESTICULAR CANCER
Testicular cancer develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system (which from the beginning of puberty produces sperm and male hormone, testosterone). It is often occurring in males between 20-35 years old, but also it can occur anytime after 15 years old. The real cause of testicular cancer as well as most other types of cancer remains unknown, but it affects mostly man with undescended testicles (which physiologically occurs at the time of birth or in the first year of a newborn baby) or after their 6 th year of life.

EARLY SIGNS OF TESTICULAR CANCER
Testicular cancer may cause no signs or no apparent symptoms in its early stages. It is very important for men to be familiar with the size and form of his testicles to notice any slightest change in them which may occur. Changes can be caused by infection or any other condition and it doesn't always mean signs of cancer.
A lump or enlargement in either testicle.
A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
A dull ache in the abdomen or groin.
A sudden collection of fluid or blood in the scrotum.
Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum .

LUNG CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Smoking (actively or passively: exposure to cigarette smoke by smoking of another person).
The environment-air pollution, organic and/or inorganic chemical nature of air pollution.
Professions that are faced with hazardous materials (asbestos, radon, natural gas, uranium, chromium, nickel, as well as fast volatile chemical substances-varnishes, paints ...) in carrying out their work.
Genetic predisposition.

SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER
There are no typical symptoms of lung cancer, but the most important and most common having to do with lung cancer are:
persistent cough or change the character of chronic cough,
coughing up sputum with sanies,
pain in the chest when coughing or deep breathing,
hard breathing,
pneumonia that persists after treatment or pneumonia that are repeated in the same place,
loss of appetite and body weight.

COLON CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Family history for colon cancer or polyps in colon (more than one close family member with colon cancer before the age of 45 the risk for having the cancer is 3-4 times greater).
Personal history of polyposis or colon polyps, benign growths on inner lining of colon which have been surgically removed.
Personal history of breast cancer, uterine or ovarian cancer.
Frequent occurrence of breast and ovarian cancer with relatives.
Age (colon cancer is the most frequent by the age of 50 years old).
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease or existence of hemorrhoids that won't heal for a long period of time.
Diet high in fats and proteins of animal origin as well as nutrition containing high levels of cholesterol.
Diet poor in fiber (legumes and fruits).
Obesity
Physical inactivity

EARLY SIGNS OF COLON CANCER
Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, bowel incontinence) which last for more than a couple of days.
Blood in or on the stool.
A discomfort or cramps in abdomen.
Flatulence.
Loss of apetite, unexplained weight loss.
Fatigue.
Unexplained anemia.
In some cases the first signs of underlying disease occurs žbecause of metastatic deposits in organs, mainly in liver. Jaundice (yellowish-green skin and the white of the eyes discoloration) occurs in advanced stages of a disease, when the dissemination of a disease in liver occurs.

RECOMMENDED MEASURES OF COLON CANCER PREVENTION
You should pay more attention to nutrition: eat more fiber such as cereals, beans, whole grains, lean protein, lower fat milk products and healthy fats, fruits, legumes every day, green vegetables (kale, broccoli, cabage, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, soya products). Avoid food enriched in animal fats.
It is recommended to eat lean protein, chease, avoid fast food. Make a habit of 5 meal a day three main meals and two light meals.
Take care about regular defecation which is largely linked with nutrition.
Stay physically active (30 min is enough every day depending of afe and capacity).
Taking fresh air is equally important.
Be aware of your family history regarding cancer, especially if they appear in the early age of your closest family members.
Lead a healthy lifestyle (avoid smoking, alcohol consumption to be limited to a lowest degree).
If obese, try to lose weight and maintain regular weight.
IT IS RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE POLYPES TO AVOID CANCER DEVELOPMENT!!!!

RECTUM CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Rectum is the concluding part of the large intestine that terminates in the anus. The average length of the human rectum may range between 12 and 15 cm. Apart for symptoms which occurs in colon cancer there are symptoms which are specific for the rectal cancer: In the advanced stage urogenital symptoms may occur such as vaginal bleeding, blood in urine, impotence, difficulty when urinating.
A feeling that bowels aren 't emptying completely, blood in your stool or very dark stools, frequent calling for defecation, pencile-like stool, discomfort, pressure in the lower abdomen.
Changes on anal skin (induration which can be sensed).
In the advanced stage urogenital symptoms may occur such as vaginal bleeding, blood in urine, impotence, difficulty when urinating.

STOMACH CANCER

RISK FACTORS
A common bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, also called H. pylori, causes stomach inflammation and ulcers. It is also considered one of the primary causes of stomach cancer.
Chronic gastritis and pernicious anemia.
Eating a diet high in salt has been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer. This includes foods preserved by drying, active smoking, salting, or pickling and foods high in added salt. Maintening prepared food at room temperature degree can lower risk of cancer development.
Older men have history of cancer development.
Family history of gastric adematous polyposis and gastric polyps.
Genetic factors are not risk factors, but it may be when closest relatives such as mother, sister, father or brother suffed from stomach cancer.
Many studies have shown that food enriched with vitamine C and b-caroten such as fresh fruit and legumes and whole grain bread can lower the risk.

EARLY AND LATE SIGNS OF GASTRIC CANCER DEVELOPMENT
In the early stage of gastric cancer, many patients present atypical symptoms which last for a longer period of time, but aren't apparent enough for a visit to doctor. The symptoms are:
Nausea/vomiting.
Frequent heartburn.
Loss of appetite (sometimes accompanied by sudden weight loss).
Constant bloating.
Early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount).
Stomach pain (which may be worse after meals).
About 25% of patients have symptoms similar to gastric ulcer symptoms. In the later stage of a disease:
Unexplained loss of weight
Nausea/ vomiting.
Stomach pain.
Bloody stools , dark stool.
Vomiting dark masses.
In some cases , first signs of disease are because of metastases in different organs:
Jaundice, bone pain , dispnea, deposits in brain or gynecological symptoms due to metastases in ovary.

PREVENTION MEASURES-STOMACH CANCER
Because all risk factors which influence the development of a disease are still unkown, to prevent such a disease is still hard. It is advisable to lower your intake of salty and smoked food but also bear in mind to take vitamine C and b-caroten although its protective role is contradictory.
The best prevention is regularly visit to your doctor and education when it comes to pinpointing some of the risk factors in your lifestyle.

THYROID GLAND CANCER

RISK FACTORS
Risk factors are:
Age from 25 to 65.
Radiation exposure or radioactive methods treatment of the head and neck in childhood.
Goiter (abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland).
Family history of thyroid gland cancer.
Thyroid cancer is more common in women.

EARLY SIGNS OF THYROID GLAND CANCER
Existence of lumps, stiffness or flatness in the neck especially in front of the neck.

LYMPHOMAS

Lymphoma is a cancer of immune cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell .The cells start to grow and reproduce without any control or order and during this uncontrolable growth a process of dying normal cell may also be abnormal. The lymphocytes start accumulating in lymph nodes which are enlarge. Since the lymphocytes circulate within the organism, they can appear in one lymph node, a group of lymph nodes or in other organ. They can affect liver, bone marrow and spleen.
The two types of lymphoma are described as: Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's (NHL). Non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma form 80% of all lymphoma.

RISK FACTORS
Age: most cases occur in people older than 60 mostly in men.
Exposure to certain chemicals, including benzene and some herbicides and insecticides.
Immune system deficiency , HIV infection ,EBV , HTLV -1 ( human T -lymphotrope virus).
Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Radiation exposure.

SYMPTOMS OF LYMPHOMA
Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin.
Persistent fatigue.
Fever and chills.
Night sweats.
Unexplained weight loss - as much as 10 percent or more of your body weight.
Loss of appetite.
Itching.
Cough.
This symptoms are not pathognomonic signs of NHL. They can be caused by less dangerous diseases such as flue or other infection.
If lymphoma appears in other organ for example in stomach then the symptoms are diarrhea and pain.


BASIS OF PREVENTION: HEALTHY LIVING, HEALTHY FOOD, RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN HEALTH
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Oncology Institute of Vojvodina
Put doktora Goldmana 4
21204 Sremska Kamenica
Serbia