Information on various forms of cancer affecting both men and women.
Prostate Cancer
What is it? Prostate cancer is the second
most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. It is estimated that one
in five men will experience the condition at some point in their lives.
The disease is quite slow-moving and can take years to spread throughout
the body.
Symptoms Sufferers do not display any
readily recognisable symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but
they may later complain of bone pain and blood in their urine.
How is it acquired? The cause of prostate
cancer are not fully understood, but high-fat diets and genetic factors
may contribute.
Treatment Surgery and radiation are
the main treatment methods. Regular screenings
will ensure the disease is detected in its early stages, when treatment
is extremely effective.
Testicular Cancer
What is it? Testicular cancer is the
most common type of cancer amongst young men. If caught at an early stage,
however, it’s nearly always curable.
Symptoms These include a swelling of
one of the testicles, small hard lumps on the testicle or dull aches in
the scrotum. All men should regularly check their testicles for unusual
lumps. Most of these will be benign, but your doctor can advise you if
s/he thinks it may be cancer.
How is it acquired? Men born with an
undescended testicle are more likely to develop the condition. Genetic
factors may also be involved.
Treatment The affected testicle will
be removed (prosthetic testicles are available), and the sufferer may
also have to undergo chemotherapy.
Breast Cancer
What is it? Breast cancer takes the
form of tumours which grow on the breast. It should be noted, however,
that the majority of breast tumours are benign.
Who is at risk? Breast cancer is more
prevalent among certain groups of women. Older women are at increased
risk, as two thirds of women diagnosed with the condition are over 50.
The portion of a lifetime where ovulation occurs is also a factor. Breast
cancer occurs more frequently in women who began to ovulate early, those
who experienced menopause late in life, and those who have not had children.
Those with a family history of breast cancer are also at increased risk.
Treatment Breast cancer is treatable
with surgery, radiation and medication. Health officials advise that all
women regularly check their breasts for lumps. Women over 40 should also
have an annual mammogram.
Cervical Cancer
What is it? Cervical cancer is a malignant
tumour which grows in the cervix (the lower part of the womb which connects
to the vagina). It is the most common form of cancer amongst young women.
The disease is usually caused by infection with the human papilloma virus
(HPV). As the only way to contract this virus is through sex with a man,
most lesbians have a miniscule chance of developing cervical cancer. Despite
this, lesbians routinely undergo unnecessary cervical smears.
Symptoms These include spots of blood
on underwear, pain/bleeding during or after sex and unusual vaginal discharges.
How is it acquired? Infection with HPV,
the sexually transmitted virus, can lead to cervical cancer, as can smoking,
HIV infection and poor nutrition.
Treatment The disease is usually treated
by surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. It can be detected early by taking
a Pap test, which health officials recommend all heterosexually active
women to take. When detected early, the survival rates for women with
cervical cancer are high.
Ovarian Cancer
What is it? Ovarian cancer occurs when
malignant tumours grow inside the ovaries. The disease is relatively rare,
but it has a high mortality rate.
Symptoms Symptoms are hard to detect.
They include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, pain during sex and digestive
problems.
Treatment Treatment involves a hysterectomy.
When the disease is detected early, survival chances are good but there
is a high mortality rate if detection does not occur till the later stages
of infection. An annual pelvic exam increases your chances of early detection.
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