Breast cancer is one of the top cancers among women. Most of us would know someone who has, or has had breast cancer, and with the ongoing media coverage of the condition, women are becoming increasingly aware of the condition. National breast screening programmes, dedicated breast clinics, advances in modern treatment methods together with ongoing research, all play their part in the early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer.

Screening For Breast Cancer Would Include:

1. Breast Self-Examination: Large scale studies have found that breast self-examination (BSE), when used for screening, did not reduce mortality rates from breast cancer. However, it is felt that BSE does improve women's awareness of their own breasts, thus allowing any changes to picked up earlier. BSE also helps improve women's awareness of breast cancer.

There are 2 parts to Breast Self-Examination:

(i) LOOK: Look at your breasts in the mirror to check for any changes. This should be done in various positions, such as leaning forward, holding your arms up in the air and with your hands pushing in on the hips. Compare both breasts.

Look for changes on the skin of the breasts (colour, dimpling, a lump or pulling in). The nipples should also be inspected for retraction, inversion, dryness or ulceration.

(ii) FEEL: Many women find it easier to do this while having a bath, because water and soap make it easier and may enhance detection of lumps. Feel all parts of your breasts with the flat of the palm and fingers, for areas that may be different from the rest (such as a lump, a band of hard tissue or a tender area). Remember to also check under the nipples and up into the armpits.

2. Clinical Breast Examination: Women who have found any change in their breast/breasts should consult their doctors for a clinical breast examination.

3. Mammography: The basic idea behind breast cancer screening, or any other screening for that matter, is that it allows for detection of the breast cancers before they become large enough to be felt. Early detection and treatment generally results in better treatment outcomes.

Mammography screening is widely accepted as appropriate and beneficial for women above the age of 50. In Singapore, the recommendations by the Ministry of Health for Breast Cancer Screening are as follows:

Asymptomatic women 50 - 69 years

All normal risk, asymptomatic women 50 - 69 years should have screening mammograms only every 2 years.

Asymptomatic women 40 - 49 years

Women aged 40 - 49 years with no significantly increased risk, should discuss the benefits, limitations and potential harms associated with screening with their doctors before making a decision on whether or not to have screening.

Asymptomatic women < 40 years

Normal risk, asymptomatic women under 40 years of age do not require breast screening.

Asymptomatic women > 70 years

Unlike in Western nations, where evidence supports mammographic screening every 2 years in women 70 - 75 years of age, the incidence of breast cancer in this age group among Singaporean women is significantly lower. As such, screening mammography may be less beneficial. Asymptomatic women in this age group should discuss the potential benefits and risks of screening with their doctor.

The following groups of women should consult their doctor about screening for breast cancer:

• Women who have increased genetic risk for cancers
• Women on hormone replacement therapy
• Women with prior breast cancer
• Women with premalignant breast conditions

Dr Ang C.D. has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine.

He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology.

Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients.

With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore. http://www.singaporedoc.com

By Dr Ang C. D.

Colon cancer is the type of cancer that usually has no symptoms. If colon cancer symptoms do appear in a person, it will be a little too late, because he/ she is probably in a very advanced stage of colon cancer.

Colon cancer has five stages. Each colon cancer stage actually shows how far the cancer has spread. There are many ways to diagnose a colon cancer case, even in its most advanced stage. Colonoscopy, barium enema and even a digital rectum exam can tell a doctor if indeed you are suffering from colon cancer or polyps.

First stage in colon cancer is stage 0. In this colon cancer stage you can think of yourself as a very lucky person, because it can be cured. In this colon cancer stage, the disease has not spread beyond your colon or rectum. Treatment in this case is surgery. The part of your colon that has been affected will be removed. If you have a larger tumor, a resection might be the proper treatment for your colon cancer case.

The second colon cancer stage is known as stage 1. In this case, the cancer has not spread beyond the colon, but the cancer has grown through a few layers of your colon. Resection is the used treatments is this colon cancer stage. Stage 2 is the next step in colon cancer. This time the disease has gone through the walls of your colon and affected the nearest tissues. In this colon cancer stage, the lymph nodes have not been reached yet. Resection is the only known treatment if you find yourself in this colon cancer stage. Chemotherapy can also be used in this colon cancer stage.

Next is stage 3 colon cancer. This is thought as an advanced stage. The lymph nodes are now affected by the disease. Other parts of your body have not been yet affected when suffering from stage 3 colon cancer. Sectional surgery is the right treatment at this point. Chemotherapy is then used to reduce recurrence. Radiation therapy can also be used in this colon cancer stage.

The last and most serious colon cancer stage is 4. In this case, the disease has reached as far as the lungs, ovaries and liver. When you have reached the stage, surgery is only used to relive the symptoms or prevent any further complications. In this case, the colon cancer can not be cured or even removed through surgery.

Colon Cancer and Nutrition
Colon Cancer also known Colorectal cancer. Colon cancer 2nd most deaths for cancers in the US. Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year.Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time.

Colon cancer often causes no symptoms until it has reached a relatively advanced stage. Thus, many organizations recommend periodic screening for the disease with fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. In countries where the people have adopted western diets, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Polyps of the colon and rectum are almost always benign and usually produce no symptoms. They may, however, cause painless rectal bleeding or bleeding not apparent to the naked eye. Polyps greater than 1 centimeter have a greater cancer risk associated with them than polyps under 1 centimeter. Polyps with atypia or dysplasia are also more likely to progress on to colon cancer. The risk of cancer is much higher in sessile villous adenomas than in pedunculated tubular adenomas. Cancer is found in 40% of villous adenomas, as compared to 15% in tubular adenomas.

Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer. Surgery remains the primary treatment while chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be recommended depending on the individual patient's staging. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don’t have much contact with the lining of the intestine. High-fiber foods are also rich in phytonutrients, which appear to protect against several forms of cancer. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer. The jury is still out on antioxidants and the prevention of colorectal cancer. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

Colon Cancer Treatment and Nutrition Tips
1. Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer.
2. Radiotherapy may be recommended Treatment fot colon cancer.
3. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster.
4. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer.
5. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results.
6. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol.
7. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

The purpose of this article is to describe very briefly the prostate gland; its functions and potential diseases associated with it. General Prostate Cancer Information - about half the population has a prostate gland but how many people actually know what it is? The prostate is found in all males in the mammal category of the animal world, including humans. The prostates function in life is to produce, store and secrete a clear fluid during moments of orgasm. This fluid helps carry the sperm out of the body and makes up about one third of the volume expelled during ejaculation. The prostate is located at the outlet of the bladder and surrounds the urethra (tube your urines passes through); it also sits against the outer wall of the rectum.

Disorders associated with the prostate

Amyloid
Normally affecting men who are more senior in age, Amyloid (known as Corpora amylacea) is a dense collection of calcified protein based matter that collects in the prostates ducts making it difficult for the prostate to release fluid. This condition can also mean there are other underlying issues in the prostate region.

Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a build up of inflammation in the prostate, over time the inflammation can make the prostate swell in size causing the tubes carrying urine to become blocked making it difficult and painful to urinate, if urination is possible at all.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Similar to Prostatis, Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the name given to a condition where the prostate becomes enlarged, this is not caused by inflammation but can be a natural occurrence over time and mainly affects the older male population.

This condition can block the urinary tubes or stop urination being possible all together.

Prostate cancer
For you to possess prostate cancer information is critical to you if you are male and over 50. Prostate cancer is the most dangerous of all prostate problems and is the most common cancer affecting older men. Prostate cancer is also a condition that can kill quite easily; this is because the cancerous cells flourish and multiple out of control, moving into other part of the body like the bones and nearby internal tissue.

The most common symptoms associated with prostate cancer are that it can cause pain in the lower abdominal region during urination, difficulty urinating and cause a lack of ability to gain an erection. There are many other symptoms involved with prostate cancer, but they are more subtle.

Summary
It is commonly suggested that men who are more senior in age should have regular rectal exams from their doctor so the prostate can be checked. As mentioned earlier, the prostate sits against the outer wall of the rectum. For those who are younger in age it is important that they are educated about the affects the prostate has on the body.

Finding Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
With prostate cancer estimated to affect as many as 1 in 6 men, any new research developments that may affect treatment are extremely noteworthy. Because the risks of having prostate cancer increase dramatically with age, every generation is in a race against the clock to find the most effective treatment methods, or prevention methods, possible.

Recently a medical study on men with prostate cancer introduced very interesting news that contradicted some previously held beliefs in the medical community. Some physicians have withheld potentially curative treatment in older men because of a concern about side effects of radiation or surgery. Other physicians have used hormone therapy as a means of delaying cancer progression instead of offering potentially curative treatment.

This new study by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, however, suggests that drug treatment alone does not improve survival rates of men taking it, and might actually be hindering their improvement. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in July.

The prostate cancer information generated by this article studied about 20,000 men, including Medicare patients, whose prostate cancer had not spread to other areas of the body. The study took 6 years to complete, as information was gathered and the men were studied. All study participants were over the age of 66, which means that the data drawn from the study is particularly relevant to older men, but not necessarily accurate for younger men. Average age of a study participant was 77.

Researchers found that the typical treatment of testosterone-blocking drugs might have more drawbacks than benefits. The testosterone-blockers are meant to keep cancer cells from growing, but also have side effects such as bone loss, impotence, and increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Ultimately, a treatment plan of the testosterone-blocking drugs alone, in older men, didn't appear to be effective.

For men considering Georgia prostate cancer surgery, this study does not influence the need for curative surgery or radiation. Often the antihormone drugs can be very effective when they are paired with surgery or radiation. To maximize the effectiveness of a cancer treatment plan for Georgia men, prostate cancer might require surgery or radiation, rather than drug treatment alone.

Researchers theorized that many men felt they were improving their health by taking the drugs without surgery or radiation, because it was a better course of action than doing nothing. For older men looking for information about Georgia prostate cancer treatment, the study offers an important topic to bring up with their doctors. For Georgia men, prostate cancer treatment might require surgery, rather than the simpler approach of a drug treatment.

With the continued research and studies being done, advances in Georgia prostate cancer treatment are continually being made. At this point in time, however, drug treatment alone doesn't seem to be an effective method in the fight against prostate cancer.