Although we’re flooded with unwelcome news and statistics about death and illness caused by cancer, recent trends are actually encouraging. According to a joint report from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Cancer Society (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overall cancer incidence and fatalities declined between 1990 and 1995.
Prevention and early detection has certainly played a pivotal role in this decline. We’re learning that being proactive, by adopting healthier lifestyles and screening regularly, can have measurable results. Below, we’ve summarized what you can do to screen for and prevent three leading types of cancer. For details and more specific recommendations, contact your MKMG physician.
Breast Cancer: 2nd Leading Cause of Death from Cancer in Women
Risk Factors: Age, personal/family history of breast cancer, incidence of benign breast formations. Other possible risk factors: those who begin menstruation early; pregnant women who do not carry to full term.
Screening: Self exams and clinical breast exams performed by your gynecologist annually are recommended for all women over the age of 18. For all women ages 40 and up, mammograms are essential -- every 1-2 years.
Prevention: Take care to avoid radiation from x-rays whenever possible, lower your fat content and don’t smoke. For high risk women, suppressing estrogen production through the drug tamoxifen has been known to lower breast cancer risk -- however, it may increase risks of other types of cancer. Consult your gynecologist for more information.
Colorectal Cancer: 2nd Leading Cause of Death from Cancer in U.S.
Risk Factors: Age, personal or family history of colon cancer, personal history of polyps in the colon or ovarian/endometrial/breast cancer.
Screening: All patients ages 50 and up should have Fecal Occult Blood Tests (laboratory tests performed on stool samples) every year to test for hidden blood in the stool, as well as a sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. This 5-10 minute office procedure is performed without sedation, and uses a thin, lighted tube to check for abnormalities in the last third of the colon. If abnormalities are found during a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy is performed to examine the entire colon. Colonoscopy takes approximately 30-40 minutes, and is performed under sedation. All patients with a family history of colon cancer should have a colonoscopy (not a sigmoidoscopy) at age 40 and at regular intervals thereafter.
"Sigmoidoscopies have proven very successful in detecting and preventing death from colon cancer," said Dr. Oren Kahn, Gastroenterologist at MKMG. "A large majority of my patients are surprised at how easy the test is, and they even become interested when they watch the procedure on the screen. It’s extremely important not to wait until you have symptoms."
Prevention: Eating a low fat, high fiber diet may prevent the disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium, may also reduce risks (consult with your physician before taking any NSAID regularly).
Prostate Cancer: 2nd Most Common Cancer in North American Men
Risk Factors: Age, race (more common in African American men), and a family/personal history of prostate cancer. Researchers have discovered two genes indicating susceptibility to prostate cancer; additional research could facilitate use of this gene in future screenings. Other potential risk factors include excessive alcohol intake; exposure to the cadmium and rubber found in occupations such as welding, electroplating, battery making and farming; and certain dietary habits.
Screening: Men ages 50 and up (or 40 and up who have a family history of prostate or breast cancer) should be screened for prostate cancer every 1-2 years. This includes a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) performed using a gloved finger, and a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test, both simple office procedures.
Elevated levels of PSA signify an abnormal prostate, and possibly cancer. The most definitive test, a prostate biopsy, is a 10-15 minute office procedure. A finger-sized probe is inserted into the rectum, and a sonogram picture is used to identify areas of abnormality and guide the biopsy.
"Men should consider themselves fortunate that a simple blood test (PSA) can lead to the early detection, and therefore successful treatment of this potentially lethal disease," said Dr. Warren Bromberg, Adult and Pediatric Urologist at MKMG. "The death rate from prostate cancer is now on the decline."
Prevention: While nothing is proven to prevent prostate cancer, low body weight, eating a low-fat diet with plenty of fiber, and avoiding exposure to cadmium and rubber, may reduce risk.
