How to detect cancer early<\/p>\n
Dear Sirs,<\/p>\n
I welcome the new health column in The Jakarta Post which
\nfirst appeared on Aug. 2, 2000.<\/p>\n
My late husband had colon cancer but received treatment too
\nlate. Therefore, I want to know more about cancer, particularly
\nhow to detect it early.<\/p>\n
I would like to ask several questions related to the topic in
\nyour first article (on Aug. 2):<\/p>\n
1. Breast cancer<\/p>\n
I heard of a laboratory test by which one piece of a
\nwoman's hair can be checked to detect whether she has breast
\ncancer (the test is not available in Jakarta yet). My questions:
\na. How accurate is this kind of test and is the result valid for
\ngood or must the test be repeated after a certain period of time?
\nb. If the result is permanent, is it advisable to have girls as
\nyoung as 16 years of age have this test?
\nc. Is this test available in Singapore? If yes, where?<\/p>\n
2. Ovarian cancer<\/p>\n
Is there any test for early detection?<\/p>\n
3. Colon and prostate cancer<\/p>\n
How accurate is the PSA test? I heard that when the test shows
\na positive (higher than normal) result, the cancer is already in
\nan advanced stage.<\/p>\n
4. For a person whose family has a history of colon cancer, at
\nwhat age should they undergo a screening to ensure they are free
\nfrom the cancer? What kind of test do you recommend for such a
\nperson?<\/p>\n
I thank you for your responses to my questions.<\/p>\n
Regards,
\nElizabeth Tanzil<\/p>\n
Dear Mrs. Tanzil,<\/p>\n
Thank you for your questions, and I hope the following answers
\nprovide you all the information you need:<\/p>\n
1. I have read about some research into the analysis of hair
\nto detect cancer, including breast cancer. Yet as far as I know,
\nthese tests are not accurate and no commercial test is available
\nto detect breast cancer using a strand of hair.<\/p>\n
2. There is a tumor marker for ovarian cancer known as Ca 125
\nand it is used for early detection of ovarian cancer and for the
\ndetection of a recurrence after treatment. This test is widely
\navailable.<\/p>\n
3. No tumor marker is 100 percent accurate, but a PSA level of<\/p>\n
4. For a person with a family history of color cancer,
\nscreenings should start sometime between 35 and 40 years of age.
\nThis involves yearly faecooccult blood tests and digital rectal
\nexaminations once every three years.<\/p>\n
-- Dr. Hoe Ah Leong, Consultant General Surgeon at Gleneagles
\nHospital.<\/p>",
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