It is known to everyone that cancer is one of the most serious diseases that can lead to death. But if this disease is diagnosed at an early stage, then the chances of recovery and a return to normal high-grade life are large enough. That the word "cancer" does not sound like a sentence, you should be extremely careful about your body and regularly undergo diagnostics.
Risk factors for cancer development
The main problem of diagnosing cancer is that the clinical symptoms of cancer are beginning to manifest themselves in the late stages, when it is almost impossible to help something. At the same time, an effective preventive system for most cancers has not yet been developed, since the starting mechanisms of its development remain thoroughly unexplored.
However, for each individual disease, there are links with factors that can provoke it. For example, lung cancer is the most dangerous and widespread oncological disease, the risk of development of which is many times exceeded among smokers. Gastric cancer occurs against the background of lesions of the gastric mucosa - gastritis or peptic ulcer, which, in turn, are caused by the Helicobacter pylori, malnutrition and some other factors.
In this regard, the risk groups of people who are most susceptible to the development of cancer. Basically, at risk of development of various types of oncological diseases include:
- people with the presence of certain hereditary syndromes;
- people who have first-line relatives who have had cancer;
- people who have bad habits;
- people who have reached the age of 65 years, etc.
Cancer screening
Appropriate screening programs have been developed for all the most common cancers. The screening is a set of diagnostic measures, through which it is possible to regularly conduct informative examinations, which allow detecting precancerous and cancerous conditions.
Unfortunately, in our country there is no centralized population survey system, but screening programs should be recommended by the treating or family doctor.
Let's consider what diagnostic methods are recommended for screening the most common oncological diseases.
Cervical cancer:
- test Papanikolaou (smear of the mucous membrane of the vagina, cervix) - 1 time per year.
Mammary cancer:
- palpation research by a mammologist - every 3 years;
- self-examination of mammary glands - once a year;
- mammography - once a year, starting from the age of 40.
Cancer of the colon and rectum:
- analysis of feces for the presence of hidden blood - once a year from the age of 45;
- finger examination of the rectum - once a year from the age of 45;
- endoscopic examination of the intestine (colonoscopy) - once in 10 years from the age of 50.
Lungs' cancer:
- Radiography of the lungs - once a year;
- cytological analysis of sputum - once a year from the age of 40.
Stomach cancer:
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum with a hose with a chamber) - every 3 years, starting from the age of 40.
Ovarian and endometrial cancer:
- transvaginal ultrasound - once a year from the age of 40.
Skin cancer and melanoma:
- external examination of skin, a micrograph of suspicious formations;
- histological studies of suspicious formations.
Remember that a dangerous disease has bypassed you, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid bad habits and in time to consult a doctor about any disorders in the body that cause anxiety.