Treat cancer in early stage
May 14 2008 02:38:32:627PM  - (SA)  

Druk artikel   E-pos storie aan 'n vriend

They are all areas of digestive cancers that can often be prevented by not smoking and drinking, according to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa). “Your digestive system is a tube-like system to digest food starting at your mouth, going down your throat or oesophagus, into your stomach, through your small and large intestines, which includes your colon and ending at your rectum,” says Rose Jacobs, head of Health Programmes at Cansa. “The lining of this tube is mucous membrane, which is very sensitive to harsh substances like tobacco and alcohol.” Cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply out of control and form a tumour or lump. If not detected and treated in its early stages, cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

Warning signs

If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, you are at risk and should consult a medical professional without delay: Sores in your mouth that would not go away, difficulty in swallowing, persistent heartburn, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, severe bloating, unexplained tiredness, unexplained weight loss, anal bleeding and blood in the stool. If it is cancer, surgery is the main form of treatment and may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation, or sometimes both.

R educe your risk

By making healthy lifestyle choices you can significantly reduce your chances of getting digestive cancers:

Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of fresh, clean water, exercise regularly, do not smoke, limit alcohol to one drink per day if at all, avoid eating burnt meat, limit processed and junk foods, choose low-fat foods and eat high fibre and natural foods, such as whole grains.

Research update

Researchers have found many of the changes in certain genes that appear to be responsible for causing normal cells of the oesophagus to develop into oesophageal cancer. They expect that additional progress will lead to new tests for finding oesophageal cancer at an earlier, more curable stage. Understanding these changes will eventually lead to new gene therapies that repair the abnormal DNA changes in esophageal cancer cells. Clinical trials are in progress to test new chemotherapy drugs.

For more information call Ms Rita Engelbrecht at the Cansa office in Welkom on 057-353-2112.

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