Tests help detect cancer early and treat it effectively
Cancer is a threat to humanity, but if detected early, the possibility of cure and long life is entirely possible.
Alarming numbers
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Worldwide, in 2012, there were approximately 14 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths.
In Vietnam, the total number of cancer deaths in 2012 was 91,600, of which 58,200 were male deaths.
Liver cancer in men accounted for 26.9%, lung 24.4%, stomach 14.5%, mouth-esophageal 5.8%, colorectal 5.2% and other cancers 23.2%. The number of female deaths from cancer was 33,400 cases. Of which, lung cancer accounted for 14.5%, liver 13.7%, breast 12.5%, stomach 12.1%, colorectal 8% and other cancers 39.3%.
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According to statistics from 2005 to 2010, each year our country discovers about 150,000 new cancer cases and there are about 95,000 deaths from this disease. Of which, on average, each year the whole country has over 10,000 new liver cancer cases discovered, accounting for the highest rate in the world.
The results of a recent survey in our country show that more than 70% of patients detect cancer at a late stage, only 5% of cases are detected at stage 1 and 19% at stage 2. In addition, a survey in Ha Nam province shows that more than 50% of women have never heard of breast self-examination to detect breast cancer early. More than 40% have never heard of cervical cytology testing to detect cervical cancer early.
Regarding information, 73% of respondents had never heard of colonoscopy to detect colon cancer and nearly 80% of cases had never heard of fecal occult blood testing to detect early colorectal cancer.
Cancer is not scary if detected and treated early.
Early diagnosis is the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of treatment and reducing the mortality rate from cancer.
Ms. Le Thi Hoan, from Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi, had breast cancer 12 years ago. Currently, she is still healthy and working for a non-governmental organization. Ms. Hoan said that when she saw a small lump in her left breast, she immediately went to the doctor. The test results showed that she had breast cancer, but because it was detected early, she had surgery combined with chemotherapy. Currently, she still complies with regular check-ups and health checks.
According to Associate Professor - Dr. Nguyen Nghiem Luat, MEDLATEC Hospital, some types of cancer can show signs and symptoms of cancer (skin, cervical, breast, rectal and oral cancer) so they can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
However, many cancers show few signs and symptoms during their progression. Therefore, cancer diagnosis must be based on tumor markers, molecular biology, imaging and cytology.
Tumor markers (also called tumor markers) are body chemicals, usually proteins, produced by cancer cells themselves or sometimes by the body in response to cancer growth.
Because some tumor markers can be detected in body samples such as blood, urine, and tissues, they can be used along with other tests and techniques to detect and diagnose certain types of cancer, predict prognosis, monitor treatment response, and detect recurrence.
According to Associate Professor Luat, there are about 20 cancer markers that can be used to detect the disease early.Testing can help screen for cancer in high-risk patients such as those with molar pregnancy or persistent uterine bleeding.
Men at risk for prostate cancer may have a combination of endoscopic ultrasound and prostate biopsy to determine if they are at risk for cancer.
