We often heard a lot of stories about only detecting cancers in their later stages. And we have a harmful perception that when you’ve been diagnosed with stage III or stage IV cancer, it is already hopeless or breast cancer treatment in Singapore is already useless. But many people forget the testimonies of survivors who beat the later stages of cancer.
Although cancer success stories bring hope and motivation, what should be amplified the most is the early detection, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. According to theWorld Health Organization, prevention is the most cost-effective way to control cancer. Continue reading this article to know more about cancer detection and prevention.
How Is Cancer Diagnosed
Cancer is a group of diseases that starts with the uncontrollable growth of abnormal or cancer cells in any part of the body. Doctors use a staging process to determine the severity and location of cancer in the body.
Cancer Staging
Before a doctor proceeds to give cancer treatments, such as brachytherapy in Singapore, they may first conduct cancer staging.
Cancer staging helps doctors determine the location of cancer, its spread, and its impact on the body. It also helps them select which treatment is suitable, depending on the cancer stage and give recovery predictions.
Not all cancers have the same staging process. For example, leukaemia, or the cancer of the blood and bone marrow, is differently staged because it is spread throughout the body and does not form tumours.
The most common staging system of cancer is the TNM system. TNM stands for tumour, nodes, and metastasis. The TNM is mostly used in breast, lung, and colon cancer.
TUMOUR
In the TNM system, doctors look for the primary tumour and determine its size, location, and the nearby areas it has affected.
NODES
Lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures of the immune system found all throughout the body. Its primary function is to combat diseases and infection. Generally, cancers affect the nearby lymph nodes before they spread to other parts of the body.
METASTASIS
When cancer affects and spreads parts of the body outside the location of the primary tumour, it means cancer has metastasised.
The staging process is essential in determining which cervical cancer treatment in Singapore is suitable for the patient. There are more complex staging process systems doctors conduct in many types of cancers, including clinical staging and pathological staging. Some factors affect these staging systems.
The Processes of Cancer Staging
There are several ways to detect cancer and determine its stage.
Physical Exam
The first step in diagnosing cancer is a physical exam. Your doctor may look for physical symptoms of cancers, such as lumps, oral exams, organ enlargement, and skin discolouration. If your doctor opens up to the possibility of cancer, they may conduct more advanced exams.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests such as x-ray, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI helps locate and measure the size of tumours in the body.
Endoscopy Exam
Endoscopy uses tiny cameras and light attached to a flexible tube to locate tumours in the body. This exam is usually used for colorectal cancers.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical exam that tests the tissue samples of tumours found in the body to determine if they are cancerous or not.
Cancer is detected by undergoing these advanced exams. Hospitals and clinics offer cancer screening packages that can detect cancer. People should have a regular physical exam and cancer screenings for cancer detection and prevention.
The Stages of Cancer
STAGE 0
In stage 0, the cancer is still contained in the area where it started and has not spread to nearby tissues. Stage 0 cancer is highly curable.
STAGE I
In stage I, the cancer is small but is still confined in its original place. It does not affect the nearby tissues nor the lymph nodes. Stage I cancer is also referred to as early-stage cancer.
STAGE II
In stage II, the cancer tumour has grown but is still contained in its place. It does not affect the nearby tissues. In some types of cancer, stage II cancer may have affected the nearby lymph nodes already.
STAGE III
In stage III, the cancer tumour is larger. It also spreads to nearby tissue and affects the lymph nodes.
STAGE IV
In stage IV, cancer has metastasised and affected the other body organs outside its original location. Stage IV is also referred to as the advanced stage of cancer.
Doctors consider the stage of cancer for cancer treatment. For example, in the early stage of cancer, surgery may be enough to eliminate cancerous tumours. For advanced stages, advanced treatments, like brachytherapy in Singapore, may be needed. For this reason, doctors need to conduct staging exams before proceeding to cervical cancer treatment in Singapore.
Now that we know how cancer is diagnosed and staged; let us discuss why early detection and prevention of cancer is important.
The Importance and Benefits of Early Detection and Diagnosis of Cancer
Improves Cancer Survival Rate
Cancers that are still in their early stages are highly curable. Delayed cancer care due to late detection and diagnosis decreases the survival chance of the patient.
Cost-Effective
Long-term cancer procedures like advanced breast cancer treatment in Singapore are expensive. Usually, cancers in their early stages are still curable through surgeries, which are cheaper medical procedures.
Detects Asymptomatic Cancers
Generally, early-stage cancers are asymptomatic or do not manifest symptoms. Many cancers are diagnosed only when the symptoms appear. Regular screenings and tests help detect asymptomatic cancers.
Have A Better Quality Of Life
Cancer treatments like brachytherapy in Singapore have side effects on the body. Long-term cancer treatments side effects affect the quality of life of the patients. Treatments for early-stage cancer, like surgery, are more bearable.
Conclusion
There are lots of ways to prevent cancer. Among them is staying away from tobacco smoking, having a healthy lifestyle, and of course, having access to affordable and quality health care services. If people have access to affordable cancer screening packages, early detection, prevention, and cure of cancer is possible.
Dr Johann Tang
Dr Johann Tang provides cancer treatments, including brachytherapy, in Singapore. If you are looking for cervical cancer treatment in Singapore, visit Dr Johann Tang.
