What is it Oncology check-up?
As you know cancer is a global problem because this is one of leading causes of death (both men and women) To date, two thirds of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. One of them is Cambodia.
Amount of cancer patients worldwide and in Cambodia continue to increase every year.
The main cancer types worldwide are:
1. lung cancer
2. breast cancer
3. colorectal cancer
4. prostate cancer
5. stomach cancer
The most frequent cancer types in Cambodia are:
1. liver cancer
2. cervical cancer
3. breast cancer
4. lung cancer
5. colorectal cancer
Risk factors for cancers:
aging. Cancer is primarily a disease of older people, with incidence rates increasing with age for most cancers. Cancer is relatively rare in children, teenagers and young adults. Adults aged 50 - 74 carry the greatest burden of cancer, with over half (53%) of all cancers being diagnosed in this age group. Over a third (36%) of all cancers are diagnosed in the elderly (75 and more years old).
tobacco use,
alcohol use,
unhealthy diet and obesity (overweight),
physical inactivity (= low physical activity),
environmental and occupational exposures (environmental pollution) to carcinogens and mutagens (including chemicals and radiation),
infectious agents (Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human papilloma virus, Epstein-Barr virus),
chronic inflammation (nose, throat…),
hormone dysmetabolism,
family history (genetic factors).
Approximately one-third cancer deaths can be prevented.
One the most important method of cancer prevention is early detection of cancer. This method includes early diagnosis of cancer (oncology check-up can help) – to find early signs and symptoms of some oncology diseases (for cancer types such as cervical, breast, colorectal and oral) in order to get them diagnosed and treated early before the disease becomes advanced.
Early common symptoms of cancer (signals of cancer):
thickening / lump anywhere,
persistent pallor or jaundice,
skin or mouth sores that do not heal or changes in mole or wart. Old scar that repeatedly heals and brakes down. Obvious change in wart, mole, birthmark or any other spot or the skin,
severe recurrent headaches with or without vomiting (especially, in the morning); epileptic fits (convulsions),
a bothersome persistent cough, blood in sputum; hoarseness of voice.
bleeding from the nose or changes in hearing,
a lump, bleeding or changes in the breast or nipple,
"unreasonably" lost appetite, lost weight, weakness,
"unreasonably" low grade fever (37,2 – 37,4),
difficulty in swallowing, persistent indigestion and abdominal discomfort or pain,
changes in bowel habits, such us bleeding (blood in stool), persistent constipation and diarrhea,
blood in urine; change in bladder habits,
abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge; contact bleeding after intercourse,
unexplained bleeding anywhere of the body, hemorrhagic skin rash.
You need oncology check-up if:
you have above mentioned signs or symptoms,
you have any risk – factors of cancer (you have family members who have oncology diseases,
you are older than 50 years old etc.
Oncology check-up includes:
Consultation with Medical oncologist,
Laboratory tests include blood film morphology, tumor markers and stool examination for occult blood
X-ray chest
Abdominal ultrasonography
Breast examination for women include breast ultrasonography for all women and mammography for women 40 years old and older
Pap-smear for women.
Which types of tumors can we suspect during this examination?
Leukemia (“blood cancer”),
Lymphoma (malignant tumor of lymphatic tissue),
Head and neck tumors,
Lung cancer,
Breast cancer,
Gastrointestinal cancer,
Liver cancer,
Uterine cancer (cervical, endometrial),
Ovarian cancer,
Prostate cancer,
Kidney and bladder cancer etc.
In the case we will find abnormalities in tests’ results, we will recommend detailed examination of the specific area (CT-scan, MRI-scan, bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, consultation of specialists – ENT, oncologist-urologist etc.).
Kindly note, that early diagnosed cancer is easy and cheaper for treatment!