How to detect cancer early?

Ms. Tran Thu Huong (50 years old, Bac Giang) used to have annual breast cancer screening in several places and the 2D mammogram results were assessed as normal. Recently, Ms. Huong came for screening and examination at the Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi and discovered that one breast has a small suspected area (under 10 mm) through a digital mammogram system. digital tomography (DBT). Upon further analysis, suspecting this area was malignant, the doctors performed a biopsy, resulting in invasive carcinoma in situ.

Another case is patient Nguyen Ngoc Tam (58 years old, Hanoi) self-diagnosed with protrusion in the anus and bloody stools many times. Previously, Ms. Tam had visited and treated at a number of medical facilities but her symptoms did not improve. At Tam Anh General Hospital, the patient was assigned colonoscopy to screen for cancer. The doctor diagnosed the patient with colon polyp, large rectal polyp with bleeding and accompanying hemorrhoids. Endoscopic image showing cancerous rectal adenoma.

After multi-specialist consultation, the patient was assigned to surgically remove the entire adenoma lesion to ensure complete tumor removal. After surgery, the patient did not have abdominal pain, no bloody stools. After 3 days of endoscopy, the patient was stable, discharged and re-examined after 6 months.

These are two of the many cases where cancer was detected at an early stage, which was treated promptly and progressed well. According to TS.BS Vu Huu Khiem, Head of Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, in order to detect cancer early, screening should be done even when healthy, without symptoms, which can be done through examination. periodic health every 6 months to a year. Especially in people who are in high-risk groups such as having a family history of hereditary cancer, having an unhealthy lifestyle, having underlying diseases or related to certain age groups. Currently, the percentage of young people with cancer is increasing. Doctors advise not to wait until old age to pay attention to the prevention of this dangerous disease.

Depending on the type of cancer, the methods of screening and early detection will vary. Currently, to screen for cancer, there are methods such as clinical examination combined with blood tests, endoscopy, ultrasound, and X-ray. In case of suspicion, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and some other in-depth tests can be performed. In addition, gene sequencing tests can help identify genetic mutations that cause cancer, from which doctors can devise effective disease monitoring or intervention strategies.

Detecting cancer early increases survival rates

Doctor Khiem said that although cancer is a dangerous disease, it can be cured if detected at an early stage and treated according to the right regimen. With breast cancer (a common cancer in women), treatment at an early stage gives a 5-year survival rate of 99%, but at a late stage, the survival rate is only 23%. With colorectal cancer, the 5-year survival rate if detected early is up to 90% and drops to only 9% at the late stage… More and more effective tumor treatment methods are available. types of cancer are detected early such as lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer.

According to Doctor Khiem, cancer progresses silently, without symptoms, while many people are not aware of the importance of regular health check-ups, losing the “golden” time to diagnose cancer early. letters. Patients often go to the hospital when symptoms appear and then the tumor is usually at a late stage, locally invasive, metastasized to many places, very poor prognosis, ineffective treatment.

For example, an elderly male patient, with a history of smoking and waterpipe tobacco for many years, has never been examined before. Patients with persistent dry cough, even once coughing up pink blood, still did not go to the hospital until there were signs of headache, dizziness, vomiting immediately after eating. After examination, he was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer, which has metastasized to the brain. “If only patients had periodic screening or went to the doctor as soon as they had symptoms, the disease could be detected early, the prognosis would be much better,” said Dr. Khiem.

Dr. Khiem added that, based on the results of the first screening, the doctor will determine whether you have a high or low risk of cancer, which type of cancer, thereby offering a long-term periodic screening plan to help effective disease prevention.

According to the American Cancer Society, some warning signs of cancer should not be ignored such as problems with urination (frequent urination, hematuria, bloody stools, etc.), pain in any location. any and persistent unexplained; persistent cough and hoarseness; bleeding, unusual discharge from the nose, gastrointestinal tract, genitals or urinary tract. In addition, there is an unusual lump in the breast or anywhere else; Warts, moles with a size, color, shape, thickness that change over time or unexplained weight loss can also be signs of cancer. Patients need to see a doctor immediately for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Patient name has been changed.

Mai Cat