The guidelines for the highest survival benefit are as follows: "If caught early and treated appropriately, the prognosis is excellent," he explains, so the key is early detection. Breast cancerīreast cancer is the most commonly-occurring cancer in women worldwide and is estimated to affect one in eight women according to Dr Schoub. Use the Discovery Health's My FamilyHistory tool to record your family health history and estimate whether you have a higher-than-average risk of developing a female cancer or other conditions. The general principle though, is that early detection of cancer allows for life-saving treatment." Estimate your risk of female cancers: Discovery Health's My FamilyHistory tool
You need to understand your risks of developing a certain cancer, and the benefits and flaws of each screening test - which constitutes informed consent and personal choice. As a general rule, consultation with your trusted GP or specialist doctor is advisable. The goal of screening tests is to offer a relatively cheap, non-invasive test to a large population of people who are otherwise healthy, to pick up problems before they become symptomatic. This spread usually only occurs once a cancer reaches a certain size. "Most cancers become lethal once they metastasise (spread to vital organs). There's a great deal of controversy about how often to do the various screening tests," explains radiologist Dr Peter Schoub. Remember that knowledge is strength and the sooner you screen for abnormalities, the quicker you can get them sorted out." What should you screen for, and when? And don't ignore anything out of the ordinary due to fear. Discuss any unusual symptoms such as pain or bleeding with your doctor.
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Regularly check your breasts and your skin for lumps and bumps. "It's also important," she adds, "to do your bit too. What other chronic conditions run in your family? These might include heart disease, diabetes and a tendency towards blood clots.It's far more relevant to your doctor if two of your cousins had breast cancer under the age of 40, than if your gran passed away as a result of cancer at age 95. Any cancers in your family, as well as the ages at which diagnoses were made.To determine which screening tests are best for you, your doctor needs the following information, says Professor Benn:
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Others are also done routinely at certain ages as a general precaution, while your doctor will decide how to screen and how often to do so if you have a high risk." Some screening tests are routine - for example, your gynae will perform a Pap smear (see detail below) as part of your regular check-up. "It won't prevent you from having an accident, but it will protect you if you do. "Screening is very much like wearing your seatbelt when driving," says Professor Carol-Ann Benn, a surgeon with a special interest in breast cancer.
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