Monsignor Joseph Kandathil Memorial Cancer Research Centre

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Do I have Cancer ?
WHY SHOULD I DO CANCER SCREENING ?
Cancer Screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable. The goal of screening exams for early cancer detection is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. The goal of cancer screening is to reduce the number of people who develop and die from cancer.

Treatment works best when cancer is found early—while it’s still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure. The screening is much useful in; Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Lung Cancer & Prostate Cancer: where early detection gives better treatment outcome and Quality of Life (QoL).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF CANCERS:

⦁ Change In Bowel Habits or Bladder Function
⦁ Sores That Do Not Heal
⦁ White Patches Inside The Mouth or White Spots On The Tongue
⦁ Unusual Bleeding or Discharge
⦁ Thickening or Lump In The Breast or Other Parts Of The Body
⦁ Indigestion or Trouble Swallowing
⦁ Recent Change In A Wart or Mole or Any New Skin Change
⦁ Nagging Cough or Hoarseness
⦁ Other Symptoms
⦁ Unexplained Weight Loss
⦁ Fever
⦁ Fatigue

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH, AND REDUCE YOUR CANCER RISK:

⦁ Stay away from tobacco.
⦁ Stay at a healthy weight.
⦁ Get moving with regular physical activity.
⦁ Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
⦁ Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
⦁ Protect your skin.
⦁ Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
⦁ Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.

Sl No.	For Male	For Female
01	Consultation By Oncologist	Consultation By Oncologist
02	Blood Tests:	Blood Tests:
	Complete Blood Counts	Complete Blood Counts
	Fasting & PP Blood Sugar	Fasting & PP Blood Sugar
	Lipid Profile	Lipid Profile
	Liver Function Test	Liver Function Test
	Renal Function Test	Renal Function Test
03	Urine – Sugar, Albumin & Microscopy	Urine – Sugar, Albumin & Microscopy
04	Stool –Occult Blood	Stool –Occult Blood
05	ECG	ECG
06	Ultra Sound Scanning –Abdomen & Pelvis	Ultra Sound Scanning –Abdomen & Pelvis
07	PSA	T3,T4,TSH
08	CEA	CA-125
09	Chest X-Ray PA View	Mammogram
10	D/L Scopy or OGD	PAP Smear
11	Medical Consultation	Medical Consultation
12	Review by Oncologist	Review by Oncologist

WHAT I HAVE TO DO FOR CANCER SCREENING ?
Cancer screening recommendations vary on which cancers people should have screening tests for, which screening tests should be used to screen for a particular cancer, and when and how often those tests should be done. It's important for people to talk with their doctors to determine which tests are appropriate for their age and medical history.
All you have to do is report to the hospital in the morning, preferably on empty stomach. Normally, following tests are done at MJKM Cancer Research Centre, Cherthala as part of Cancer Screening:

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer

Following are some of the most frequently asked questions by patients about breast cancer.

Q. What are the warning signs?
A. The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump or thickening in the breast. Other signs include: change in the size or shape of the breast, discharge from the nipple, or change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered or scaly; warm, red or swollen). It's important to note that there may be no warning signs or symptoms. Breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and regularly scheduled mammograms are vital in the screening and early detection of the disease.

Q. What causes breast cancer?
A. No one yet knows what causes breast cancer, but medical research has generated a lot of knowledge about the disease. Researchers at the Comprehensive Cancer Center have made some important discoveries in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, ranging from understanding more about the genetic aspects of cancer to developing a vaccine that may treat and prevent breast cancer.

Q. How likely am I to get breast cancer?
A. Statistics show that a woman has a 1 in 8 lifetime chance of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the United States, other than non-melanoma skin cancers. Three-fourths of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women age 50 and older. And although breast cancer is more common in older women, it does occur in younger women and in men. There are additional factors that may increase a woman's cancer risk.

Q. What should I do if I find a lump while performing a monthly breast self-exam?
A. Check the other breast. Some lumpiness is normal. However, if the lump is new or unusual, it warrants examination by a physician. A lump found during a breast self-exam, a clinical breast exam or a mammogram does not necessarily mean that a woman has breast cancer. Nearly 80 percent of all breast lumps are noncancerous (benign). However, cancer is a possibility. Early detection and treatment provides the best outcome, so a woman shouldn't let fear stop her from seeing a physician.

Q. What are my risks for getting breast cancer?
A. Being a woman and getting older are the biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer. Other risk factors include: age; family history of breast cancer in a close family member on either mother's or father's side; onset of menstruation before age 12; onset of menopause after age 50; or not having children or having a first child after age 30.

Q. Is a mammogram painful?
A. The pressure caused by spreading the breast tissue may be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Women who experience pain should tell the technologist.

Q. Is the radiation exposure from getting a mammogram harmful? A. The radiation exposure from modern, low-dose mammography equipment is minimal. Radiation doses usually are so low they're negligible. Plus, the medical benefits of early detection outweigh any potential risk.

Q. How do I decide which treatment option is best for me?
A. Speak with your physician about treatment options. Although there are four standard ways to treat breast cancer (surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), several treatments may be combined. Your physician can recommend specific treatments depending on the type and location of the cancer, the stage at which it was detected, and your age and general health.