Cancer of the Breast and Cervix Can Be Prevented

 “TWO years ago I wrote about my choice to have a preventive double mastectomy. A simple blood test had revealed that I carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. It gave me an estimated 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.

I lost my mother, grandmother and aunt to cancer. I wanted other women at risk to know about the options. I promised to follow up with any information that could be useful, including about my next preventive surgery, the removal of my ovaries and fallopian tubes.” Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery

Cancer of the breast is the commonest cancer in women. Generally speaking, the core culprit causing cancer of the breast is estrogen, yet it’s a necessary hormone that helps to maintain the female appearance.

Risk Factors

A family risk or history of cancer of the breast,

Not ever breast fed babies. The less baby that the breast has breast-fed; the higher tend to be the risk.

No history of advanced pregnancy (progesterone tend to shield the breast from the harmful effect of the estrogen)

No exercise/obesity

Oral contraceptive pills especially the ones that contain high amount of estrogen.

Menopause.

Poor nutritional habits, cigarette smoking and alcohol.

Environmental factors that tend to change the genetic make-up of the individual.

Symptoms

Usually there is a lump or growth , If notice or care is not taken, the growth becomes bigger and spread to other areas. There could be ulceration of the skin from the growth area. There could be discharge from the nipple or bleeding.

The covering skin of the breast could be distorted and appear like orange skin. The armpit on the affected side, could be involved and become swollen (lymphadenopathy). In very rare situation, the signs described above may not so be obvious until it’s too late.

Male Breast Cancer

1% of breast cancer occurs in men. Swollen male breast may however be due to alcohol misuse and other reasons. Men should take similar pre-caution as women as recommended here.

Prevention
The key to it all is vigilance. A simple once-a-week self-examination of the breasts could safe life. Health professionals could teach women how to conduct this examination. Doctors and nurses can also examine the breast from time to time. In suspicious cases and in every woman above 40-years, mammography once a year is recommended. This can be combined with sonography if required.

In women (and men with family history of prostate cancer) who has a family history of breast cancer, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, it’s highly recommended that they have a genetic test (BRAC1 and BRAC2) done to reveal their vulnerability to breast cancer.

Treatment
Anyone who has a breast growth or abnormal discharge should contact a qualified doctor as a soon as possible for assessment. Treatment may include surgery to remove part of or the whole of the breast or both breasts. Other treatments include radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Cervical Cancer:

Cervix is the thick muscular support at the neck of the womb. The purpose of the cervix is to support the pregnancy from early loss. Containing a channel at its centre, to a large extent, the cervix also controls what goes into the womb.

Cancer of the Cervix

Cancer of the cervix is amongst the commonest cancer in women and the cancer is killing several women annually, yet cancer of the cervix is preventable.  Unlike breast cancer that is commoner in those who are over 40’s, cervical cancer can hit anyone who is sexually active.  Thus, to some extent, cancer of the cervix can be regarded as sexually transmitted disease.

Cancer of the uterine cervix is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women worldwide: Second only to cancer of the breast. The estimated new cancer cervix cases per year are 500,000 of which 79% occur in the developing countries including Nigeria.

Causes

Close to 70-90% percent of cervical cancer is caused by viral infection called human papilloma virus (HPV).

Risk factors  

This is sexually transmissible from the sexual partners. Thus, multiple sexual partners is a risk.

Direct cigarette smoking or indirect smoke inhalation from smokers is a risk factor

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer of the Cervix

The sufferer may not know of the disease until it’s too late.  There may be bleeding during sexual intercourse ,intermenstrual bleeding, foul vaginal discharge. In advanced cases, pain may occur in lower abdomen. Swelling of the abdomen may occur.  Other organs may be involved such as lung, liver and brain in the individuals where the disease has spread. Weight loss and anaemia may present itself.  

Prevention

1. Teenage girls (and boys) can now be vaccinated against human papilloma virus from the age of 13 to under 26.
2. 3-yearly cervical cancer screening (Pap-Smear) is highly recommended in any girl who is sexually active.
3.  Sexual abstinence, use of barrier protection (condom) are likely to prevent occurrence of cancer of the cervix.
4. Sticking to a faithful partner while not a 100% guarantee, will reduce the chance of developing cancer of the cervix.

Treatment

Surgery to remove the womb or cervix (Hysterectomy) or cervix alone can be considered.,Cold or heat treatment of suspicious cancer cells is another step,In advanced cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other options.

Psychotherapy

Life can be challenging for cancer patients and not the least, breast and cervical cancer sufferers: they will need clinical and religious counselling in holistic approach and family support to see the patient through the illness.

Cancer Prevention Seminar

The Strategic Insight Healthcare (The Hospital) is organising a seminar entitled “Cancer Prevention:  A must.” A dietician and a medical rehabilitation specialist have been contacted to talk on the role of diet and exercise in cancer prevention. Kindly call 08188343865 or visit www.the-hospitals.com to register. This will also be accompanied by screening for prostate, breast and cervical cancers.

This piece was written by a gynaecologist, Dr Joel Akande, an infertility specialist. He will also be facilitating during the seminar.