Cancer You - Raffles Medical Group

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14 Feature Raffles HealthNewsBe Alert. Protect YourselfEarly DetectionRegular health screening can savelives and is probably the best form ofcancer prevention, as this allows ahigher chance of recovery and for theideal treatment to be administered.“Symptoms of cancers tend to bevague. Very often clearer symptomstend to only develop in the later stagesof cancer and hence the emphasis onregular screening, as many cancersif detected early enough are verytreatable in this day and age,” says DrPeter Chen, Family Physician, RafflesHealth Screeners.Dr Chen emphasised that anyone with afamily history of cancer should do regularheath checks as there can be a geneticpredisposition. For example, BRCA geneis associated with breast cancer and canbe passed from mother to daughter.He suggested the following as ageneral guideline to screen forcommon cancers:1. Cervical – pap smears for youngwomen who have been sexuallyactive.2. Breast – mammograms for womenaged 40 and above.3. Colorectal – tests can range fromsimple stool testing to colonoscopy.Recommended for men and womenaged 50 and above.4. Prostate – recommended for menaged 50 and above.Other screening procedures caninclude:• Physical ExaminationThis has helped in diagnosing manycases of cancer because the doctor isable to carry out further investigationsyou might otherwise not normally dobased on his findings.• Ultrasound Assessmenta. Breast - scan for abnormalgrowths in young women’sbreasts where the density of theirbreast tissue makes it difficult toget a good mammogram result.b. Abdomen - scan for simplevisualisation of abnormal solidorgan tumours.c. Pelvis - scan for uterine andovarian growths.• Cancer MarkersThese simply serve as a pointer forfurther investigation and should notbe regarded as a diagnosis. As theinterpretation of results can be tricky,you should consult your doctor forrecommended follow up should acancer marker turn up to be positive.
Raffles HealthNews Feature 15Health ScreeningMore often than not, we understandthe importance of health screening,yet are not sure of what we shouldinclude in the screening list. Dr ChngShih Kiat, Deputy Medical Director,Raffles Medical advises a generalguide on the types of tests for peoplebelow age 40 and above 40 years oldto consider screening for.Below 40A routine Pap smear test isrecommended for ladies who aresexually active. Other screenings willdepend on whether one has a strongfamily history of cancers or diseasessuch as heart disease. Those with astrong family history should consult adoctor to discuss appropriate screening.• CT or MRI AssessmentsFurther investigation of abnormalscreening findings or investigativework for symptomatic patients.• Basic Laboratory TestsThis can help to pinpoint abnormalareas for further investigation.Examples of such tests includeblood counts, kidney and liverfunction tests, urine analysis, etc.Get ImmunisedVaccination is also a form of cancerprevention against certain types ofviral infections. It is recommendedto take a Hepatitis B shot if one hasnot received the vaccination duringbirth/childhood and more recently,HPV vaccination for girls and womenbetween age nine and 26 years old.Genetics and family history of cancermay leave some of us at a higher riskof certain types of cancer. However,it should not deter us from living lifeto the fullest. We can, and in ourown capacity, do our part in cancerprevention as it’s also our best bet. HNAged 40 and AboveRegular screening once every two yearsis recommended for those above 40years old. Screening must include testssuch as cholesterol test, sugar testingfor diabetes, blood pressure screening,weight assessment and generalassessment by a doctor.For ladies, a yearly mammogram toscreen for breast cancer is necessary.Assessment for cervical cancer withPap smear must continue. Patients withstrong cardiovascular risk such as highcholesterol, strong family history of heartattacks, diabetes, smoking, overweight,etc should also consider screening forheart diseases with ECG or treadmill.It is advisable for one to see a doctorto discuss the need for various typesof screening tests. Based on yourclinical profile, past medical andfamily history, the doctor can advisethe types of test necessary for you.
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