Breast cancer screening is available for women aged 50 - 70 years of age, this can detect disease at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. But some women do not take advantage of the invitation to be screened and prefer to keep their heads in the sand! Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 30% in the UK in the past decade due to improved treatment drugs (Tamoxifen) and early detection. A simple smear test usually carried out every 5 years on women who are, or who have been, sexually active can detect cervical cancer in it's early stages (when it is curable) or can pick up abnormalities before they become a problem.
The word cancer describes over 200 different diseases, not just one. But they all have one thing in common. They are the result of a fault in one of the body's millions of cells. These cells can grow out of control, multiply and a cancerous tumour forms. Insidiously it can be 20 years or so before they become evident. It is important to detect cancer in its early stages. It is easier to treat and the results are more successful as I know from my own experience of breast cancer. Left until later it can be difficult to treat and sadly, sometimes impossible.
The kind of work we do and where we live has been proven by scientists to play a part in just who will or will not, get the disease. Cancer affects many people’s lives, either directly or indirectly. One in three of us will present with cancer at some time in our lives. Of the quarter of a million new cases of cancer in Britain every year 70% occur in people over the age of 65. It’s important to realise that the risk of cancer increases with age, although skin cancers are affecting many young people. It's common sense to help ourselves to better health, which we can do if we lead a healthy lifestyle and if we are aware and have regular checks.
Some cancers, such as cancer of the bowel, which kills 18,000 in Britain each year, can possibly be avoided by making changes in diet. Eating a diet rich in high fibre, such as fruit, vegetables and cereal fibre has been proven to be beneficial. Scientists believe that at least one third of cancers are diet-related and advise that we also cut down our intake of fatty foods, sugar and salt.. We will look at this in more detail in our section on nutrition. Drinking too much alcohol can cause cancers of the liver, mouth and throat. It’s plainly obvious to us all that smoking can cause lung cancer, but still people regularly risk their lives. Smoking causes one third of all cancer deaths. Recent appalling figures have shown that lung cancer is now beating breast cancer as the major cause of death in women.
Exposure to the sun is now known to be dangerous. People with fair or freckled skin are particularly at risk, and the rest of us must avoid over-exposure, and take steps to protect our skin from sunburn. Our young children especially, should be kept out of the sun completely. I love the warmth and brightness of a sunny day, but since my brush with cancer I restrict my time in the sun to early mornings and late afternoons, and always wear a sun block and hat to protect me. Fortunately today, most quality skin care products contain SPFs (sun protection filters) but we must still be especially careful of the sun's burning rays at mid-day, and when we are abroad working or on holiday in hot countries.
It pays to be vigilant. If you do see unexpected changes to your body take charge and go and see your doctor! Find out what is going on. For example 1 in 10 breast lumps are found to be harmless. If breast cancer is diagnosed in it’s early stages there is a very good chance that it can be treated successfully - as I was lucky enough to discover for myself. If you are worried about abnormal bleeding, or persistent problems such as changes in bowel movements, a continuing cough, or an unexplained drop in weight, go to your doctor and ask him to investigate the problem. You owe it to yourself and your family to take great care of yourself. I don't want to be a burden to others when I am older, so for this reason I intend to do everything possible to avoid the situation.
CANCER ACTION PLAN
• Contact your GP or Well Woman clinic for a smear test
• Be breast aware. Once a month regularly check your breasts and report changes to your GP without delay
• If you are aged 50 – 70 take advantage of the government breast screening programme (mammogram)
• Ask your doctor about regular screening if you think you are high risk of developing cancer
• Don’t smoke
• Discourage your children from smoking
• Eat less fat
• Eat less sugar
• Increase the amount of fibre in your diet
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Don’t overcook vegetables (this destroys vitamins)
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Use sun screen containing SPF (sun protection factor) when outdoors working or playing
• Don’t sunbathe
• Wear a hat and avoid the midday sun
• Avoid using sunbeds
• Avoid unnecessary X-ray examinations
• Use a condom and avoid casual sex
• See your GP if you have persistent or unusual discharge or bleeding
• Check out a lump anywhere in your body or changes to a mole
• Take advice if you have persistent constipation or diarrhoea
• See your doctor if you have a persistent cough or hoarseness
• Take medical advice if you are considering Oral contraceptives or Hormone replacement Therapy or have been on either for over 2 years
• Check with your doctor if you have unexplained weight loss
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