Every year World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4. The purpose of the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) is to support the World Cancer Declaration introduced in 2008. The primary purpose of celebrating this day is to reduce the number of cancer patients and to reduce the death rate caused by cancer.
According to National Cancer Control Programme sources, a total of 29,476 cancer patients had been reported from all parts of the country last year (2019) and the number was 29,843 in 2018.
A total of 28,931 cancer patients had been reported from all parts of the country in 2017 and 29,457 had been reported in 2016. The number of cancer patients reported in 2015 was 28,474.
There are nine Main Government Cancer Centres in Sri Lanka and 14 other District Government Cancer Centres. The total is 23 Government Cancer Centres.
Cancers in women
According to the oncologists attached to the National Cancer Control Programme, the incidence of cancer is rising in Sri Lanka and breast cancers are the most common cancer among women. The second most common cancer among women is cervical cancers. However, the good news is that both those cancers can be easily identified at the early stage and can be completely cured if detected early. At Well Women Clinics (WWCs) women are screened for both types of cancers.
Breast examination is done by a trained female health worker at the clinic. That is a simple but very important process. To detect cervical cancers the Pap smear test is done. That is also a simple and non-painful procedure.
If a screening test is positive, the patient is immediately referred for further investigation. In the case of breast cancer, the patient is referred to a specialist. Usually mammography or an ultrasound scan is done and if there is any suspicious growth a FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) or biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis. In both instances, tissue samples are taken and checked for cancer cells.
Cervical cancers are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). But this cancer takes 15 to 20 years to develop as it is a slow growing cancer. That is why it is recommended that every married woman should undergo a Pap smear test at the age of 35. That is the best time to detect early stages of cancer and it can completely cured if detected at that stage.
If the Pap smear is positive, the woman is referred to the nearest gynaecology and obstetrics unit for biopsy. Following the biopsy, diagnosis will be confirmed and the woman will be referred for further management by a specialist. Complete surgical removal is possible at the early stage. That is why every woman is encouraged to get this test done.
In addition to above-mentioned cancers, thyroid examination was also added recently to the package of services delivered at WWCs so that thyroid cancers can be detected at the early stage. Thyroid cancer is the third most common cancer among Sri Lankan women.
Cancers in men
Oral cancer is the most common cancer among Sri Lankan males while the second most common cancer among them is lung cancer. The third most common cancer among Sri Lankan males is cancer of the larynx.
Lung cancer
The symptoms include prolonged cough, coughing out blood, unusual shortness of breath, voice changes, chest pain, arm pain, unexplained loss of weight, continued fever, muscle wasting, skin pigmentation, diabetes insipidus, bone pain, headache and fits, loss of appetite, and leg vein thrombosis.
The persons who are at risk of developing lung cancer are heavy smokers, persons who are exposed to pollution, workers in chemical and dye industries, persons who are exposed to asbestos, persons exposed to certain viruses, persons exposed to radiation and persons with genetic disorders.
The risk of lung cancer can be reduced by avoiding carcinogens such as smoke, dust and chemicals. Early detection by recognising the above symptoms is extremely important. Any person who has had a cough for a long time that does not respond to treatment or any person coughing out blood, or losing weight has to be investigated by a medical specialist.
****
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they can also have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.
****
Self -examination of the mouth is the best way to detect the first signs of possible oral cancer. The procedure is as follows:
Wash hands thoroughly.
Remove dentures and similar items.
Clean your mouth thoroughly.
Stand in front of a clear mirror with adequate light.
You should look for red patches, white patches, red and white mixed patches and oral sub mucus fibrosis (pale skin inside the mouth with difficulty to open the mouth and pull the tongue out, including sourness when eating chillies). The patches cannot be wiped out. The surfaces of the patches are a little rough. The patches are painless. These are the signs you should look for.
Now you should do the following eight steps:
1 - Pull up the upper lip and examine the area thoroughly.
2 - Pull down the lower lip and examine.
3 - Stretch open the mouth to the right and examine.
4 - Stretch open the mouth to the left and examine.
5 - Stick out the tongue fully to the left and then to the right and examine.
6 - Open the mouth wide to look at the palate.
7 - Roll up the tongue and check the floor of the mouth.
8 - Roll up tongue and check undersurface of the tongue.
Screening for oral cancers is available free at any state hospital’s dental clinic and at Narahenpita Cancer Early Detection Centre (CEDEC). The centre belongs to National Cancer Control programme (NCCP) of the Health Ministry. Situated close to Narahenpita junction towards Borella, CEDEC offers many free health services. The centre is open from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays. Telephone: 0113159227.
from daily news