The Life Saver
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Early detection is one
of the best weapons we
have against cancer.
For this reason, cancer
screening is recommended
for all individuals,
even those without any
symptoms. Beyond
the possibility of
avoiding death,
screening may reduce
cancer morbidity as it
increases the chances of
detecting cancers at
their early stages.
“The chance of
successful treatment and
cure is better when the
cancer is treated in the
early stages. This
can only be achieved
through early cancer
screening, provided
early, effective
screening methods are
available” says Dr
Benjamin Ng, an
Occupational Physician
at
Raffles HealthScreeners.
Dr Ng adds that many
cancers do not display
obvious symptoms until
the advanced stages.
These include lung
cancer, brain cancer,
stomach and colon
cancer, prostate cancer,
and liver cancer.
It is important to note
that none of us is
immune to the risk of
cancer even if we do not
have any family history
or if we are meticulous
in our lifestyle. That
said, we can gain an
edge against the illness
through health
screenings. Detecting
cancer at an early stage
improves our chance of
survival and cure.
However, many people
remain hesitant about
going for screening. “
There will always be a
few patients who are
fearful of being
diagnosed with cancer
because they feel that
it is the end for them.
They sometimes fear that
they will be a burden to
their closed ones and
think that there is no
hope. Sometimes
they are in denial and
hence delay seeing a
doctor. Some of them,
especially the elderly,
are ignorant,” shares Dr
Hoo Kai Meng, a Family
Physician at
Raffles Cancer Centre.
A substantial number of
people also have a fear
of the treatments (e.g.
surgery and
chemotherapy) that may
be required. For
some, the possible costs
of investigations and
treatments weigh upon
them and stop them from
seeking a doctor’s
opinion even when they
exhibit symptoms that
may be related to
cancer.
Currently, there are
many advances in cancer
treatment which improve
the survival rate of
patients with cancer and
they do not cause too
many severe side
effects. Indeed,
advances in cancer
treatment such as newer
chemotherapy regimens,
monoclonal antibodies,
targeted therapy and
hormonal therapy are in
place to offer patients
options that were
previously unavailable.”
Said Dr Hoo. “Early
screening is important
if you have a higher
than average risk of
getting cancer, such as
having a strong family
history of breast cancer
or colon cancer.
Screening is also
important if your
occupation exposes you
to radiation or cancer
causing chemicals,” said
Dr Hoo. Healthy
individuals may put off
going for screening, as
they may not see a need
for it. However,
the choice should be
clear as finding cancer
at an early manageable
stage improves survival
rates.
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Are you unsure of what
the various screening
tests are about?
Here is what you can
expect from some of the
common screening tests.
Colonoscopy
What to expect:
The doctor inserts a
colonoscope (a long,
thin, flexible tube)
into the anus.
Pain medication and a
sedative (medication
that causes drowsiness)
are given to help reduce
discomfort.
Preparation guidelines:
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As your colon must
be empty, you will
need to be on a diet
of clear liquids for
one to three days
before the
procedure.
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In addition to the
liquid diet, you
will need to take a
laxative or give
yourself an enema
the day or night
before the
colonoscopy.
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Digital rectal
examination
What to expect: In
this test, a doctor
inserts a gloved finger
into the rectum to feel
for anything abnormal.
This takes only a few
minutes to complete and
is performed without
sedation.
Preparation guidelines:
No advance preparation
required.
Mammography
What to expect: This is
basically an x-ray of
the breast. Generally,
mammography is
uncomfortable but rarely
painful. Some
women do find the
procedure painful, as
the x-ray plates are
compressed firmly.
Preparation guidelines:
On the day of your
mammogram, do not use
deodorant, anti-perspirant,
powder, lotion, or
perfume on your breasts
or under your arms.
Avoiding caffeine for a
week prior to the
examination and taking
an over-the-counter pain
medication the day of
the examination may also
reduce breast
sensitivity and make the
examination more
comfortable.
Pap smear
What to expect:
Cells are gently scraped
from the outside of a
woman’s cervix and
vagina and examined.
This only takes a few
minutes. The test
can be uncomfortable,
but it is not usually
painful.
Preparation guidelines:
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To ensure that the
Pap test results are
as clear as
possible, do not
have sexual
intercourse for two
to three days before
the test.
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Do not use tampons,
birth-control foams,
vaginal medicines,
douches, or vaginal
creams or powders
for two to three
days before the
test. These
products may wash
away abnormal cells.
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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Dated: June 2011
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Raffles
Medical
Group is
a leading
medical
group and
the largest
private
group
practice in
Singapore.
As a fully
integrated
healthcare
organisation,
the Group
owns and
operates a
network of
family
medicine
clinics, a
tertiary
care private
hospital,
insurance
services and
a consumer
healthcare
division.
Patients of
the Group
enjoy a
continuum of
care, from
having their
most basic
healthcare
needs met
through the
Group’s
islandwide
network of
Raffles
Medical
clinics, to
specialist
and tertiary
care at
Raffles
Hospital. |
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