CANCER AWARENESS

PROGRAMME

by

Dr. Niroopama Pushpagiri

MBBS ; MS ; DGO,
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist,
Laparoscopic & Infertility Specialist,
Ex - Asst. Prof., Narayana Med. College
RSR Sarada Maternity Hospital, Pogathota, Nellore
What is
Cancer ?
Facts about cancer :

1. 2nd Biggest killer in India

2. Occurs in any part of the body

3. > 70% - Low & Middle Income group

Facts about cancer :

4. Tobacco - Causes 16 types of cancers

5. >30% cancers can be prevented by lifestyle

changes

6. 2/3rd of cancers - cured by early detection

Important warning signals of Cancer:

1. Wound that does not heal / ulcerates / bleeds

2. Unusual bleeding in vomiting, cough, stool, urine, nose, heavy

menses

3. Lump over body which changes its size, shape , colour , hard

4. Difficulty in swallowing & voice change

Important warning signals:

6. Change in bowel, bladder habits

7. Repeated episodes of indigestion - Loss of weight & appetite

8. Obvious change in mole

9. Persistant cough

10. Unexplained fever

Common Cancers in India

1. Oral cancer – 1st MC cancer in India & MC in men

2. Breast cancer

3. Cervical cancer

4. Lung cancer - Deadliest cancer

5. Prostate cancer

6.Gastrointestinal cancers
 ORAL CANCER

• Mc in lower class society

• Risk factors: Tobacco

Alcohol
Infection (HPV)
 Early stages of oral cancer

Cauliflower
growth
White patches

Painless
ulcers
Advanced stage of oral cancer
 Tips to prevent oral cancer
• Oral hygiene

• No tobacco

• Self oral examination

• Vaccination against HPV

Breast Cancer

• Leading cause of
cancer deaths in
women.
Breast Cancer - Warning symptoms

. Breast lump
. Change in size
. Skin redness
Breast Cancer - Warning symptoms

Nipple retraction
Breast Cancer - Warning symptoms

Ulcer over the breast

Breast Cancer - Warning symptoms

Change in skin texture like orange peel

Breast Cancer - Warning symptoms

Nipple discharge - Blood

 Prevention – Breast cancer

Breast
Self
Examination
(BSE)
Tips to prevent breast cancer :

Breast Self examination

Breast feeding

Life style changes

Screening tests - Mammography

Cervical cancer
 Cervical cancer
Risk factors:

• Infection -Virus (HPV)

• Starts sexual life at young age
• Low Immunity
• More sexual partners
• Cigarette smoking

Symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Irregular bleeding
 Cervical cancer - Prevention

• HPV Vaccination

• Screening test :
- Pap smear in married women

• Safer sex.
 Lung cancer

• Cigarette smoking – 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths

• New onset of Cough
• Blood in sputum
• Change in voice

• Difficult to screen
 Prevention of Lung cancer
• Annual screening – Low dose CT scan

- Age >55 yrs with smoking history

of 30 yrs. & currently smoke

- Quit within past 15 yrs.

- Occupational exposure :
- Petroleum products, Arsenic,
Chromium, asbestos, uranium,

- Protective face mask is mandatory

 Gastro intestinal Cancer

Warning symptoms :

• Indigestion, heart burn, Loss of appetite

• Change in bowel movements
• Black coloured stools / Blood in the stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness, anemia
 Tips to prevent
gastro intestinal cancers

• Avoid salted & smoked foods

• Family history – Be cautious
 Tips to prevent gastro intestinal
cancers

• Cut back red meat, processed food,

• Consume diet rich in fruits & vegetables
• Screening tests
 Liver cancer
Risk factors:

• Hep. B & C Infections

• Alcohol

Symptoms:

• Jaundice
• White chalky stools
 Kidney & bladder cancer

• Blood in Urine
• Flank pain
• Fever
• Anemia
 Cancers specific to Men
• Prostate cancer
• Penile cancer
 Prostate Cancer
Symptoms:
Urination related problems

Risk factors:

Age >50
Family history Bladder
Diet

Screening test: Blood test (PSA) Prostate

 Childhood Cancers
• MC in children - Blood cancers

• Symptoms : Fever,
weight loss,
lump,
repeated infections,
headache,
bleeding,
pain in legs, bones, back
10 Cancer prevention tips
1. Stop or Never Start Smoking

• Nearly 9 out of 10
smokers start before
the age of 18 .

• On average, the life

expectancy of a
smoker is 10 years
less than a
nonsmoker.
 2. Exercise
• Physical activity :

- Less fat decreases

cancer growth factors

- Prevents breast &

colorectal cancers
 3. Alcohol consumption

Causes :

- mouth, throat cancer

- neck
- breast
- liver, intestinal cancers
 4. Know your
family history

• 5-10% cancers – Inherited

like breast, prostate, intestinal ,
ovarian cancers

- Needs Genetic councelling

 Family history of
Breast cancers & ovarian cancers
due to BRCA gene mutations
 5. Avoid radiation exposure
• Ionising Radiation : - Bladder, lung, brain ca.

• Chronic sun exposure:

- UV radiation - Skin cancers
 Does cell phones cause cancer ?
• No evidence of brain cancer or head tumors
as radiofrequency energy does not cause
DNA damage
6. Get Immunised
 7. Practicing Safe sex

• Sexually transmitted infections

like HPV or HIV
increases the risk of cancers
 8. Get regular check ups
• Regular appointments with doctor.
• Keep tract of any changes in the body
 9. Healthy diet
• Fresh vegetables & fruits
having lycopene

• Limit red meat consumption

- Intestine , prostate cancer
 10. Maintain healthy weight
• Obesity causes 11 cancers
including
breast & pancreatic cancer
 Ovarian cancer
Cervical cancer

Lung cancer
 Uterus cancer
Breast cancer

Throat cancer
LETS ALL FIGHT TOGETHER
AGAINST CANCER
Thank you all for
your kind attention