Cancer in Women

Heart framing from fingers on woman chest with pink badge to support breast cancer cause, PS: you can change the ribbon color to red to support AIDS cause as both using same symbol

Dr Richa Sharma & Dr Amit Basnotra
Cancer is one of the   most feared disease   which was earlier  considered as the   death sentence for the person diagnosed with it. Thanks to  fervent efforts of researchers and oncologists which has made cancer now  more manageable with   many preventive and curative strategies to fight cancer.Still it has lot of psychological impact on the patient and family besides the health concerns such that sicence has not been able to break the fear and confusion that surrounds a person when diagnosed with the Cancer such that its name only in lay man’s mind brings fear of unavoidable death.
Definitely we cannot think miracle but can be prevented or can help improve quality of life of cancer survivors.To help patients there are now various support sites and societies.
Measures For a cancer free life
“Pledge today for a better tomorrow”
* Stay away from tobacco.
* Stay at a healthy weight.
* Stay fit with regular physical activity.
* Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
* Cut down  to stop alcohol  should be your motto
* Protect your skin.
* Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
* Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests
Overall Statistics of Cancer in women There is a rising number of cancer patients such that there was rise pf 79,000 cancer deaths due to cervical cancer   in women in India  in year 2010, breast cancer and oral cancer  added on to 59,000 and 53,000 respectively. While breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, cervical cancer comes a close second and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women in underdeveloped countries. Studies further confirm that the world over, for all cancers combined, prevalence in women is higher than in men.
The best defense against cancer
Doing what you can to prevent cancer is your best defense. Knowing about cancer and what you can do to help reduce your risk of it can help save your life. The next key is early detection. Finding cancer early, before it has spread, gives you the best chance to do something about it.
Cancer Facts In Women
Cancer in women can be- Gynecological/ Non Gynecological.
Gynecological  are- breast, endometrial /uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers
Non Gynecological are- colon, lung, skin etc.
Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or find them early (when they are small and easier to treat) may help save your life.
Risk Factors in Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can often be directly linked to your family medical history, your lifestyle choices, and your environment. You can’t control your family medical history, and only some aspects of your environment are up to you. But lifestyle choices like diet, weight, activity level, and smoking are yours to manage.
As you learn about the common risk factors for each of these cancers, you can take steps to correct the ones within your control.
Preventive measures
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer that women may face in their lifetime (except for skin cancer). It can occur at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older. Because of certain factors, some women may have a greater chance of having breast cancer than others. But every woman should know about breast cancer and what can be done about it.
Prevention is better than cure
If its has occurred still can keep a check by- Early Detection
These two tools should be considered as soul of the success in cancer patients
Breast self examination(BSE) and Annual breast cancer screening with mammograms forms an important tool.
Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years . They should also be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a health care provider right away
Some women at high risk for breast cancer – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with MRIs along with mammograms.
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) occurs most often in women age 55 and older.
High risk factors
Taking estrogen without progesterone
Taking tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment or to lower breast cancer risk can increase a woman’s chance for this cancer.
Having an early onset of menstrual periods, late menopause, a history of infertility, or not having children can increase the risk, too.
Women with a personal or family history of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or those who are obese are also more likely to have endometrial cancer.
What you can do
The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be told about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Watch for symptoms, such as unusual spotting or bleeding not related to menstrual periods, and report these to a health care provider. The Pap test is very good at finding cancer of the cervix, but it’s not a test for endometrial cancer.   women who have or are likely to have hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) be offered yearly testing with an testing of womb lining by age 35.  .
Endometrial Cancer
This type of cancer, also called uterine cancer, predominantly affects postmenopausal women (the average age of onset is 60) but sad part is that there aren’t any good screening tests to find this cancer early .
Stay Safe:  Obesity has direct correlation with Endometrial cancer -twice as common in overweight women, and more than three times as common in obese women, according to the American Cancer Society. Fat cells secrete estrogen, which in turn can trigger cancerous changes.Contraceptive pills help reduce cancer risk.Just 5 years of use reduces endometrial cancer risk by 25%.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer Cervical cancer can affect any woman who is or has been sexually active. It occurs in women who have had the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus is passed on during sex. Cervical cancer is also more likely in women who smoke, have HIV or AIDS, have poor nutrition, and who do not get regular Pap tests.
A Pap test can find changes in the cervix that can be treated before they become cancer. The Pap test is also very good at finding cervical cancer early, when it can often be cured.  Some women – because of their history – may need to be tested more often. They should talk to a health care provider about their history .
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is more likely to occur as women get older. Women who have never had children, who have unexplained infertility, or who had their first child after age 30 may be at increased risk for this cancer. Women who have used estrogen alone as hormone replacement therapy are also at increased risk. Women with a personal or family history of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), ovarian cancer, or breast cancer are more likely to have this disease. But women who don’t have any of these conditions can still get ovarian cancer. What you can do At this time, there are no good tests for finding ovarian cancer early. A Pap test does not find ovarian cancer. But there are some tests that might be used in women who have a high risk of ovarian cancer.
You should see a health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks:
* Abdominal (belly) swelling * Digestive problems (including gas, loss of appetite, and bloating) *Abdominal or pelvic pain o Feeling like you need to urinate (pee) all the time A pelvic exam should be part of a woman’s regular health exam. Also talk to a health care provider about your risk for ovarian cancer and whether there are tests that may be right for you.
(The authors are senior IFV Consultant, and senior Gastroentrologist Delhi)

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