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"Optimal
Cancer Care requires involvement of skilled surgeons (surgical oncologists),
doctors who give cancer medications (medical oncologists), and those
who treat the cancer with high doses of rays (radiation oncologists).
Thus a coordinated approach is necessary", informed Dr. Amyn Alidina,
Consultant Oncologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Acting
Chief of the Section of Oncology at Aga
Khan University Hospital.
He was giving a presentation on "Cancer Care - Prevention and Early
Detection" at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a monthly health awareness
programme, on September 6, 2003.
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| (L
to R): Dr. Fayyaz Hussain, Dr. Amyn Alidina and Dr. Aliya B.
Aziz at at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a monthly health awareness
programme. |
"Although care
for cancers at advanced stages is available, the best chance of
cure is when the cancers are detected early. Screening for breast
cancer with breast examination and mammography has proven to have
saved lives", added Dr. Alidina.
He said that
tobacco use could lead to the development of cancers of the head
and neck, lung, oesophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, stomach,
and leukaemia. Cessation of tobacco use remains to be the mainstay
of cancer care. For those who chew tobacco, regular ENT examination
by trained specialists can prove useful.
"Cancer of the
cervix, a common cancer in our women, can be picked up in its pre-malignant
stage, by regular pap smears", explained Dr. Alidina.
People with
Hepatitis B and C can get cancer of the liver. They require regular
ultrasound to diagnose this cancer early. Prevention of Hepatitis
B with vaccination and treatment of Hepatitis B and C with interferon
are important aspects of cancer care. In men, screening for prostate
cancer with PSA and prostate examination can lead to early detection.
Regular self-examination of testicles for lumps, especially in younger
men, can help detect testicular cancer early.
Although cancers
can present themselves in an unusual manner, symptoms like blood
in the stools, lump in the breast, ulcer or a growth in the mouth,
especially for those who chew tobacco; blood in urination, persistently
enlarged lymph nodes or vaginal bleeding after coitus or after menopause
should be evaluated. In those who smoke, persistent cough, breathing
difficulty, weight loss, difficulty swallowing or change in voice
should be taken seriously, he suggested.
Dr. Aliya B.
Aziz and Dr. Fayyaz Hussain participated in the question and answer
session at the end of the programme.
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