All Cancers Not Preventable, Most Cancers With Early Detection Can Be Treatable: Expert

Kolkata, Mar 12: Dr Alok Roy, Chairman Medica Group of Hospitals has stated, all cancers are not preventable but most cancers with early detection can be treatable. Speaking at a a webinar, he said early identification is of utmost importance. The lack of awareness is one of the major deterrents to cancer cure among women. Science has truly advanced, risks are less and thus taking the benefit of science is of utmost necessity.

“I urge every female citizen to teach you near and dear ones and especially mothers should teach their girl child. Your life is in your own hands and ensure a healthy life,” Dr Roy said. Dr Roy hosted a webinar with Dr Sudeep Das, Consultant (medical oncology & hemato-oncology) at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata. The topic of discussion was Cancer in women during child-bearing age and signs of cancer in young women – early detection and prevention.

Dr. Sudeep Das stated there has been an alarming rise in cancer. For non-communicable related deaths, cancer has become the second deadliest disease proving fatal after cardiovascular disease. Every year over 13 lakhs Indian’s are diagnosed of cancer out of which the gender proportion is similar about 6.5 lakh for both male and female. Not just the pandemic over 8 lakh patients died due to cancer in 2020.

He said most common causes of cancer among women are – breast, followed by cervix uteri, ovary, lip and oral cavity, colorectum. Even a decade back cervical cancer was most common but now it is affecting the breasts. But 90% of lumps are benign not malignant. But in India chances of getting a breast cancer can be high even from 40 years. Due to lack of awareness and established screening program most of the patient present cases in advance stages.

Dr Das said in 2020 new cases of breast cancer were over 2lakhs and is estimated to reach 2.5 lakhs by 2025. The situation is same in West Bengal where women are largely getting affected by breast cancer. Almost 70 per cent of the breast cancers are getting diagnosed in stage III where chances of cure are less than 72 per cent. Less than 10 per cent gets diagnosed in stage I or II.”

Risk Factors stated by Dr. Das were – age, reproductive history, menstrual history, genetic factors, radiation, race, family/personal history. But only 10% are hereditary. Longer exposure to estrogen (early menstruation or delayed menopause) nulliparity (not having children well over 35 is also one of the reasons), followed by unhealthy lifestyle leading to obesity, lack of exercise, not breastfeeding the baby, consumption of alcohol, smoking, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills are all reasons leading to breast cancer.

Screening tests to avoid cancer – Breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, mammography. Dr. Das also harped and engaged the audience about the various FACTS vs MYTHS. Like a popular belief that treatment of breast cancer is always mastectomy (which is completely wrong), he even stated that patients with Breast Cancer can even conceive. Dr. Das also explained Cervical Cancer the next cause of death among patients, symptoms being unusual bleeding during menstruation, during intercourse, post menopause.

He requested to check for any vaginal brownish discharge which is foul smelling. Common cause of cervical cancer is Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact and can be prevented. HPV vaccine is also available, and its effectiveness is almost 100%. Vaccination should start between 9-14 years age and next is PAP smear (post 30 years once every years) and finally HPV test after 30 years once every five years. Stage 1 patients the cure percentage is as high as 95% and stage II 70%. If one is above 30 PAP smear must be done once every 3 years, he added.

UNI