Treating cancer early can save lives
KOTA KINABALU: Early cancer diagnosis can save lives, according to Resident Consultant Oncologist of KPJ Specialist Hospital, Dato Dr Jaswant Singh.
“Cancer is a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells which if not checked will result in death,” explained Jaswant.
According to Jaswant, the chances of survival for Stage 1 cancer patients are between 80% to 90% and therefore it is vital for the cancer cells to be detected early, if any.
“As reported by the Malaysian National Cancer Registry 20072011, a total of 103,507 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Malaysia during the period of 2007 to 2011, of which 46,794 (45.2%) were reported in males and 56,713 (54.8%) in females,” added Jaswant.
As stated in the report, the risk of males getting cancer was one in ten and for females it was one in nine.
Among the risk factors for cancer in Malaysia are age, tobacco, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals and subtances, family history and poor diet.
Jaswant also elaborated on the various common cancer types in Malaysia.
In explaining the symptoms of breast cancer, Jaswant said that each woman in Malaysia has a one in 20 chance of getting breast cancer.
Among the symptoms of breast cancer are lump or thickening in the breast (which may be painless), retraction of the nipple, discharge from the nipple, dimpling or puckering of the skin and peau d’orange skin of breast.
Jaswant also spoke on the symptoms of lung cancer, which consists of things such as wheezing, shortness of breath, persistent cough, hoarseness, coughing up of blood, frequent pneumonia or bronchitis and chest pain.
He also touched on prostate cancer, in which, he said, one in every 500 men, who are in their 40s, are at risk of having prostate cancer.
Among the symptoms of prostate cancer are painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine, discomfort in the pelvic area, bone pain or sexual dysfunction.
As for liver cancer, its symptoms can consist of abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowish colour of the skin and eye), nausea or vomiting, swollen abdomen, itchy skin and weight loss.
“Thirty per cent of American liver cancer cases could be prevented by staying a healthy weight thorughout life and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption,” said Jaswant, citing the US as an example.
Jaswant went on further to explain the various types of treatments for cancer such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Commenting on the issue of traditional medicine, KPJ’s Resident Consultant GynaeOncologist, Dr Mary Jennifer Makanjang, said that traditional medicine should never be regarded as an alternative treatment for cancer.
Mary explained that it is only suitable for palliative care or rehabilitation.
She said that this is a common misconception by the public.
“Traditional medicine is only complementary to the treatment, it should never be the main treatment,” added Mary.
She urged the public to trust the modern treatment such as chemotherapy as it had already been tested and proven by medical practitioners all over the world.
Jaswant and Mary spoke at the KPJ’s “We Can, I Can” Cancer Awarenes Campaign at their premises on Saturday.
For those who are interested in doing cancer screening or radiotherapy may visit KPJ as they are currently offering attractive discount offers in conjunction with their three-month cancer awareness campaign.