The most common cancers among Poles

Although the number of lung cancer cases is falling every year, it is still the most common cancer among Poles. It is much more often diagnosed in men – it accounts for about 21 percent. all diagnosed cancers. In women, this percentage is 9-10 percent. At the same time, lung cancer is the cause of about 1/6 of all cancer deaths in Poland. The main symptoms are chronic, persistent cough, recurrent, non-healing inflammation of the airways and lungs. Often these symptoms are accompanied by fluid in the pleural cavities, hoarseness, and sputum tinged with blood. Diagnosis is performed by chest X-rays and sputum cytology. The bronchoscopic examination of the respiratory tract and the histopathological examination of specimens from suspicious places are decisive. Mainly smokers and people living in dusty big cities are exposed to this disease.

Although it affects the vast majority of women, it is nevertheless the second recognizable neoplasm in Poland in the entire population. This is due to the fact that as much as 21 percent. cancer diagnosed in women is breast cancer. Epidemiological data show that out of those currently alive, every 14th Polish woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 40-54. Poland is one of the countries with an average incidence and mortality rate from breast cancer in the world. The data also show that the chances of curing breast cancer in developed countries are 70-90%, while in Poland it is about 60%. The diagnosis of breast cancer is mainly based on mammography and breast ultrasound, but the final result is determined by a lump biopsy.

It is a disease that occurs with similar frequency in both women and men. In women, it is about 10 percent. all cancers, while in men this percentage is one percentage point higher. If colorectal cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 90%; when the diagnosis is made in the most advanced stage of the disease (stage D), only 5% have a chance of surviving for 5 years. patients. Unfortunately, in more than half of the cases in Poland, colorectal cancer is diagnosed too late, when it is already significantly advanced. There are two main methods of screening for colorectal cancer: an annual fecal occult blood test, followed by a colonoscopy every 10 years.

This disease, for obvious reasons, affects only men, but it is a very big threat among them, as much as 13 percent. diagnosed male neoplasms are prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can develop asymptomatically for a very long time, which is why control examinations, including rectal self-examination, are so important. When the tumor is large enough to give the first symptoms, difficulties with urinating, pollakiuria and pain during voiding appear. The first method of diagnosis in suspected cancer is rectal examination and a test for the presence of the PSA antigen. Treatment can be accomplished by surgery, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy.

Stomach cancer accounts for 5 percent. tumors in men and 3 percent. in women. The risk of developing this disease increases with age. Genetic predisposition plays an important role in epidemiology, but lifestyle is the most important. Research shows that the risk of morbidity is increased by a diet, a large proportion of which are smoked, salted and pickled products, with a low consumption of vegetables and fruits. Smoking also increases the likelihood of developing stomach cancer. The main symptoms of the disease are abdominal pain and tender abdomen, nausea and vomiting, tarry stools. Treatment is mainly performed by surgery, complemented by radio- and chemotherapy.

Kidney cancer is about 3-4 percent in both women and men. all cancers. It is a particularly insidious disease as it produces no symptoms at an early stage. It is estimated that as many as half of the diagnosed cases can be identified during other routine tests. When the disease shows symptoms, it manifests itself in the form of: hematuria, lumbar pain, swelling of the lower limbs and general malaise. The risk of developing kidney cancer is increased by obesity, smoking, hypertension and renal cystic disease. The main treatments are surgical removal of the tumor and radiation therapy.

Endometrial cancer accounts for 7 percent. female cancer. It develops in women over 50. The risk group consists mainly of people with diabetes, obesity, hypertension and women who have never given birth. The disease is manifested by disturbances in the menstrual cycle and pain in the abdomen. In young women who want to give birth again, hormone treatment is used. In the menopausal age and in the advanced stages of the tumor, the uterus with appendages is excised.

This disease mainly affects men, accounting for 7 percent. all male cancers. The incidence increases drastically after the age of 70. Smokers, people prone to recurrent cystitis and those who have previously undergone radiotherapy in the area of ​​the organ are at risk. Symptoms are similar to those in prostate cancer: there is hematuria, clots in the urine, pain during voiding. The most common method of treatment is immunotherapy with a series of infusions of the BCG vaccine.

Cervical cancer accounts for 5 percent. female cancers. It is the sixth most common malignant neoplasm diagnosed in women in our country. Poland currently ranks first among the European Union countries in terms of the number of new cases of cervical cancer. Every year in our country there are over 3 new cases and nearly 000 deaths caused by this cancer. Initial diagnosis is made on the basis of cytological examination, more detailed examination is colposcopy and taking a sample for histopathological analysis. Interestingly, the main cause of cervical cancer is the carcinogenic HPV variants that can be vaccinated. The vaccine is most effective when given to adolescents before sexual initiation.

Ovarian cancer is also common in women. It is a very insidious tumor, 75 percent. at the time of diagnosis, patients are in a very advanced stage of the disease. Only 25 percent. women survive 5 years from the diagnosis of cancer. The most common disease is women over 50 (over 60%), although the disease occurs in about 10%. young women under the age of 20. Genetic factors and the family occurrence of not only ovarian cancer, but also breast and colon cancer are of great importance. It should also be strongly emphasized that it occurs much more often in women who have never given birth. The symptoms are not specific: abdominal pain, constipation or frequent urination, unexpected enlargement of the abdomen. A thorough interview with the patient and a gynecological examination together with an ultrasound examination are currently the only methods of early detection of abnormalities in the ovaries.