“Shy Cancers” are the name given to the silent killer cancers (these cancers often go undetected for a long time due to a lack of knowledge) that have become social stigmas and that people rarely talk about. The “Shy Cancers” include testicular, cervical, prostate, ovarian, breast and colon cancer.
In this article we will discuss the various “Shy Cancers”, the signs, the risks and what to do.
1. BREAST CANCER
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. It can be cured if detected early and treated correctly. Three ways to detect breast cancer early: Breast self-examination, mammograms and sonars.
What are the signs?
– A lump, hard know or thickening in your breasts, above and below the collar-bone and in your armpit
– Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of skin on your breasts, above and below the collar-bone and in your armpit
– Change in the size or shape of the breast
– Dimpling or puckering of the skin on your breasts, above and below the collar-bone and in your armpit
– Itchy, scaly painful rash on the nipple
– Indenting of your nipple
– Nipple discharge
– New pain in one area
What are the risks?
– Women and men are both at risk, although more than 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50 and less than 1% of breast cancer cases occur in men
– If you have family history of breast cancer
– Women who started menstrual periods early (before age 12 or went through menopause late , after age 55) are at higher riskBirth control pills may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer
– Women who have used HRT run a slightly higher risk of getting breast cancer
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is safe low-dose X-ray examination of the breast to detect abnormal changes in the breast. This takes only a few minutes. The results are recorded on X-ray films or directly onto a computer for a doctor (radiologist) to read.
What is breast self-examination?
This is when you examine your breasts yourself for changes in the texture and for lumps. If you get to know the look and feel of your breasts yourself, you’ll be able to detect any changes that take please. These changes could be the first signs of breast cancer. Breast self-examinations should be done once a month in the week following your menstrual period if you are age 20 or older or the same day of the month if you are in your menopause.
2. CERVICAL CANCER
– The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb)
– One is 35 women in South Africa will develop cervical cancer
– It is curable if diagnosed early
Signs
– Pain during sexual intercourse
– Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
– Pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis)
– Unusual vaginal discharge
– Abnormal bleeding between your menstrual period
– Urinating more than usual
Who should be more careful?
Women who:
– Smoke
– Take birth control pills for a long time
– Do not go for a pap smear regularly
– Have many different sexual partners, which increases the risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
What to do?
Have a pap smear
– A pap smear can be done by your doctor, at some women’s health centers or at some community health centers
– It is a quick, simple and painless test during which the doctor collects cells from your cervix
– You receive he results of the test within a week or two
– If you are between 18 and 70 years of age and have sexual intercourse you should have a pap smear every two years
– 90% of cervical cancers can be prevented if you go for a pap smear regularly
Ask your doctor for a vaccine that can prevent new infection with the types of HPV that causes most cases of cervical cancer.
3. OVARIAN CANCER
– This illness is very shy and hides itself. Therefore be careful and watchful
– Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries
– Symptoms are very non-specific and there is no reliable screening test. Patients at risk should have regular gynecological examinations.
– If the cancer is detected early, it can be cured or managed
Signs
– Pain and discomfort in the lower part of the stomach (pelvic or abdominal areas)
– Regular gas, nausea and indigestion
– Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
– Swelling/ bloating or a feeling of being full in the lower part of the stomach (pelvic and/ or abdominal areas)
– Feeling very tired all the time
– Bowel movements that are different than usual
Who should be more careful?
– Women going through change of life or menopause
– Women on Oestrogen or hormonal replacement treatment
– Women who are extremely overweight
– Women who are smoking
– If you have a breast cancer you have an increased risk of getting ovarian cancer
– A family history of ovarian, breast or colorectal (colon) cancer increase the risk
4. PROSTATE CANCER
– Prostate cancer is a slow growing, malignant cancer that develops in the walnut-size prostate gland
– Most patients do not have symptoms until the cancer is advanced
– Screening is important for over 50
– Digital rectal examination and PSA blood test allow the doctor to evaluate if the prostate is enlarged
– If detected early through screening services and treatec, this disease can be successfully managed
Signs
– Urinating more than usual
– Difficulty starting urination or holding back the urine
– Pain or burning when urinating
– Not being able to empty out all of the urine
– Urine leaking or dribbling, most often after urinating (not in all cases)
– Pain in the lower back, pelvic area, or upper thighs
Who should be more careful?
– As you get older your risk increases especially after age 50
– Person with a family history of prostate cancer
5. TESTICULAR CANCER
– Testicular cancer usually affects men between 18 and 35 years old. Testicular cancer originates in the testes.
Signs
– Symptoms are often present in one testicle only
– A lump on a testicle
– Scrotum that seems swollen or bigger than usual
– Dull pain or ache in the testicle
– Some men experience dull ache or heaviness in the lower part of the stomach
Who should be more careful?
– Young boys/ men between age 15 and 35
– Men with a testicle that did not descend into the scrotum as a baby, even if corrected
– Men with a father or brother with testicular cancer
– Men with a mother with breast cancer
– Males who are not able to conceive children
What can you do to prevent this illness?
PERFORM A TESTICULAR SELF-EXAMINATION
– Check each testicle separately. One may normally be larger than the other but always be aware of any unusual changes.
– Place your index and middle fingers under the testicle and your thumb on top
– Gently roll the testicle between your thumb and fingers. It should feel smooth to the touch. A small firm area can be felt at the back of the testicle- it’s called the epididymis and is normal
– Feel for any hard lumps on the testicle
– Repeat the process with the other testicle
– Check for any swelling of the testicle or groin by standing in front of a mirror
– If you find a lump, see your doctor immediately. Early detection will result in a possible cure
– Diagnosis is made by ultrasound and/ or biopsy, physical examination, blood tests (tumor markers) and a chest X-ray
6. COLORECTAL CANCER
Colorectal cancer begins when normal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a polyp, which then over time may become a malignant tumour.
- Globally, cancer of the colon and rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth leading cause of cancer in females
- Both men and women get colorectal cancer
- It often starts with a growth in the colon known as a polyp that can easily be removed
- Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable
- Detected early on it has a survival rate of 90%
- Colorectal cancer screening methods are available to detect polyps before they become cancerous. Removal prevents cancer formation
Signs
- A change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
- Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool (often though the stool will look normal)
- Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
- Weakness & fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
Who should be more careful or are at risk?
- Men and women over 50
- Personal history of colon polyps
- Family History
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- People who are physically inactive or obese
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