Guide to surgical options and chemotherapy

Some of the cancers that most often affect women are breast, colon, endometrial, lung, cervical, skin, and ovarian cancers. Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or find them early may help save your life.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer women suffer from. Dr See Hui Ti, a Medical Oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre, Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Dr Tan Yah Yuen, a Senior Consultant, Breast Surgery at the same hospital in Singapore shared some views with Star Health on breast cancer.

Dr See, who is a member of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, American Society of Clinic Oncology and the Singapore Medical Association, said that worldwide, one in three women may get cancer. Some cancers are preventable, whereas unfortunately some are not. We are exposed to carcinogens all around — food, radiation, sunlight, smoking, pollution and many other things can cause cancers. So it is utmost important to be aware of how we can prevent cancers.

Breast cancer is rapidly becoming the commonest cancer globally. The only protection that we can have against breast cancer is early detection and knowing what can be done.

Regarding side effects of chemotherapy, Dr See advised women with strong family history to get routine checkup even if they don't have cancer. At the same time, she gave hope that nowadays, there are many good medication with very less side effects. Additionally, women should improve their lifestyle e.g. regular exercise, proper diet etc. that helps reducing the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.

Dr See particularly underscored on yoga that has tremendous benefit over reducing the side effects. Diet low in saturated fat, low sugar and carbohydrate, more vegetables also help in this regard.

Dr Tan Yah Yuen, a Senior Consultant, Breast Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore advised women to perform self-examination to become watchful about any doubtful condition and seek professional consultation.

Dr Tan, who is currently a member of the International Society of Surgeons and Breast Surgery International, was asked about the association between breast cancer and breast implant. She replied negative that there is no such association, as it usually remains separate from the breast; the implant does not interfere performing any diagnostic tests even.

E-mail: tareq.salahuddin@thedailystar.net