Each year in the world 8 million people die from cancer. In Poland, cancer kills over 100 patients every year. Apart from breast cancer, Polish women more and more often suffer from lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Breast cancer
Although the mortality from breast cancer is falling in the European Union, it is still growing in Poland. Every year, at least 18-19 thousand people are detected in our country. cases, and 6 thousand. patients die. Where is this terrifying statistic coming from? On the one hand, the treatment of patients is still not treated as an investment: there is no comprehensive care in specialized centers, the so-called breast units, access to modern drug therapies and effective rehabilitation. On the other hand: Polish women are afraid of research. Only 40 percent. women aged 50-69 (the highest risk group) benefit from free screening tests, and only early breast cancer can be successfully treated. That is why each of us, from the age of twenty, should independently and regularly examine the breasts. For early detection of changes, ultrasound and mammography are also used.
You and prevention: Primary prophylaxis is limited in the case of breast cancer. Research results indicate a relationship between the increased risk of breast cancer and a diet rich in saturated fats, alcohol (especially high-percentage alcohol) and obesity, especially in the abdominal type.
Is it cancer already? These symptoms should be food for thought
Lung cancer
It is the most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm in Poland. It has characteristic symptoms, but they appear rather late. About 75 percent. Patients suffer from cough that lasts for many weeks, in 2/3 dyspnoea and haemoptysis in about 1/3. Other symptoms include chest pain, hoarseness, dysphagia, and pneumonia that is difficult to treat. While the incidence of lung cancer has been decreasing among men for several years, it is growing among women. Why? Gentlemen quit smoking, and the number of female smokers does not change, remaining at around 23%. The basic, widely available diagnostic test is an X-ray of the lungs. However, it has a limited sensitivity, which is why a much more detailed examination, such as computed tomography of the chest, is performed next.
You and prevention: If you still smoke, you have to quit. The longer it takes to stop smoking completely, the less you will develop lung cancer. Another thing is to reduce exposure to asbestos, radon and car exhaust fumes (in this case smoking works synergistically). Prevention is also based on the behavior of the so-called “Oncological vigilance” and undergo regular preventive examinations.
Colon cancer
This is one of the most insidious cancers – it does not give any symptoms for a long time and it can take up to 10 years before it attacks heavily! In Poland, each year, it is diagnosed in about 12 thousand. people, and 8,5 thousand. dies. Disturbing signals that should prompt you to see a doctor include: frequent constipation, diarrhea with large amounts of gas, anemia, lower abdominal pain, nausea and a feeling of incomplete bowel movement, rectal bleeding, weight loss. People whose relatives have cancer, are severely overweight, eat poorly and smoke cigarettes should exercise particular caution. Unfortunately, the results of treatment are still disturbing – about 70 percent. patients report to the doctor too late, when effective therapy cannot be planned.
Check also: Dangerous trailer of cancer
You and prevention: Colorectal cancer likes to attack obese people. In order to reduce the risk of falling ill, let’s take care of a healthy diet based on vegetables and fruit, as well as daily physical activity. People aged 50 and over are recommended to undergo at least one periodic examination to detect cancer early. The most frequently prescribed are: stool occult blood test, rectal examination, colonoscopy and contrast infusion.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the eighth cause of death among all cancers in women (National Cancer Registry, data for 2017). However, when we take into account the population of young women (aged 20-44), cervical cancer will be in second place (it is responsible for 10% of cancer deaths), ahead of ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer.
Check also: To speak or hide?
In Poland, cervical cancer causes five deaths a day. It attacks quietly and slowly – the average time it takes to develop the disease is 3 to 10 years! Cervical cancer detected in the early stages is almost completely curable. At this stage, it is asymptomatic, and its detection is determined by systematic, preventive cytological tests. On the other hand, the treatment taken when the cancer is in stage II, gives only 50 percent. the chances of successful therapy. The common human papillomavirus, known as HPV, is responsible for the development of cervical cancer. Infection can occur during sexual intercourse as well as from direct contact with the skin of an infected person. One of the first symptoms of the disease is bleeding: after intercourse or gynecological examination, intermenstrual bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding. There may also be bloody discharge with an unpleasant smell, and in a later stage of the cancer – pain in the lower abdomen and the lumbosacral region. Women between the ages of 25 and 49 are at risk of developing cervical cancer. The risk factors include: early sexual intercourse, a large number of partners, many years of smoking.
You and prevention: An increasingly common method of primary prevention is vaccination against the HPV virus in people who have not started sexual intercourse. The vaccine reduces the risk of infection with the virus by more than 75%, and at the same time is easily available and safe. The best secondary prevention test is cytology, which allows for the detection of early stage cervical cancer.
Ovarian cancer
Every year in Poland there are over 3 thousand. new cases! It can occur at any age, but is most common in women over 50. Although the causes of ovarian cancer are not fully understood, we can talk about risk factors such as obesity, high-fat diet, endometriosis, infertility, childlessness, late menopause, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutation carriers, and Lynch syndrome. The most common form of cancer is adenocarcinoma, which develops extremely insidiously. It may be asymptomatic for a long time, and when they appear, they are usually of a non-specific nature: abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, increased abdominal circumference.
You and prevention: Regular visits to the gynecologist and transvaginal ultrasound allow for early diagnosis of the disease. About 1 in 300 women in Poland have inherited from one of their parents congenital DNA damage, i.e. mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These women have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer (approx. 40% chance of the disease) and breast cancer (approx. 70% chance of getting the disease). If one of the above-mentioned cancers was present in your family, be sure to perform genetic tests to assess the presence of the BRCA mutation!
Also check:
- Symptoms that may indicate that your brain is developing glioblastoma
- If you have hoarseness for more than three weeks, see your doctor as soon as possible
- 10 symptoms that could be a sign of your developing cancer
For a long time you have not been able to find the cause of your ailments or are you still looking for it? Do you want to tell us your story or draw attention to a common health problem? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.