Cancer
The Ministry of Health reveals that cancer, together with cardiovascular diseases, are the major causes of disease and injury with lung, colorectal and breast cancers accounting for majority of the cancer cases in the country. Some form of cancer is prevalent amongst 18 percent of the population between 18 and 69 years.
Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth, invasion or spread to other locations. These three malignant properties of cancer cells differentiate them from benign tumours. Most cancers take the form of tumours, with few exceptions, such as leukaemia (blood cancer).
People of all age groups are affected by cancer, even though the disease burden increases with age. Cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells, which may occur due to radioactive material (carcinogens) such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals or infectious agents, but which may also randomly occur in one’s genetic makeup.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is attributed to an uncontrolled growth of cells in the lungs’ tissue areas. The growth may lead to the invasion of other tissues and spreading beyond the lungs. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer among men and women worldwide, contributing to over 1.3 million deaths worldwide in 2004.
Types
The main types of lung cancer are small-cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing (including coughing of blood), shortness of breath, and weight loss.
Causes
The most common cause of lung cancer is long term exposure to tobacco smoke. In the case of non-smokers, it is generally attributed to a combination of genetic factors or exposure to asbestos, air pollution and second-hand smoke.
Treatment
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific cell type, how far it has spread, and the patient's performance status. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Small cell carcinoma usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiation whilst non-small cell carcinoma is often treated with surgery.
Kidney cancer
The kidney's main function is to filter the blood and rid the body of excess water, salt, and waste products.
Renal cell carcinoma, commonly known as kidney cancer, often grows as a single tumor within one kidney. Sometimes, more than one tumor grows in one kidney. Less often, tumors grow in both kidneys at the same time. Some of the cancer cells may enter the bloodstream and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, developing new tumors in other organs such as the lungs.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anaemia
- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the lower side torso.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer affects the colon and the rectum, attacking the digestive system. The cancer arises from mushroom-shaped growths called polyps which, while often benign, may eventually develop into cancers.
Symptoms
The symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the location of the tumour and are not specific to the disease. They may include weight loss, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, decreased appetite, change in stool shape and passing of blood with stools. Doctors typically use colonoscopy to diagnose colorectal cancer.
Contributing factors
The risks of this cancer increase with age, physical inactivity, diet (high intake of red meat and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish), alcohol consumption and smoking.
Treatment and prevention
The treatment of the disease depends on the stage of the cancer. When colorectal cancer is caught early, it can be curable. Surgery remains the primary treatment, while doctors may recommend chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for more advanced cases.
Most colorectal cancers should be preventable through increased surveillance, lifestyle management, and the use of health supplements such as calcium and folic acid.
Breast cancer
Some 56.2 percent of Singaporean women suffering from cancer are suffering from breast cancer, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.
Symptoms
The most commonly noticeable symptom of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue, and which may generally be detected by a mammogram. Other signs of breast cancer may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge. Women who have a personal history (cancer in one breast before) or a family history are at highest risk for breast cancer.
Treatment
Breast cancer is often treated first with surgery, and then with chemotherapy, radiation, or both. Medication is also used after and in addition to surgery to manage the disease.