The human body is a machine containing mechanisms and gears. If something doesn’t work as planned, you can expect a failure.
What can’t fail is taking care of specific matters.
Even if they make you scared just by hearing about them, as is the case with
cancer
But do you know what cancer is?
Over one hundred different diseases are grouped under the name of ‘cancer’, which are characterized by the disordered growth of cells in our body.
These cells multiply, without following the body’s control mechanisms, forming tumors that can invade structures and reach different regions of the body.
The good news is that there are many resources to avoid, identify at early stages and accurately treat the disease.
Step one: reduce the chances
Although they are not the only cause of the disease – often, the appearance of tumors does not depend on external factors – risk behaviors contribute to the onset of cancer. About 40% of cancers could be prevented by breaking bad habits!
It is true that, with age, the chances of developing cancer increase, but those who think that prevention can be postponed are wrong. Everyone should visit the doctor on a regular basis, and each age group has its care list. Shall we go to them?
Children. Pre-adolescents and adolescents
Sun exposure: Always wear sunscreen, avoiding the period between 10am and 4pm.
Food and physical activity: from an early age, prioritize fruits, vegetables and avoid processed meats. In addition, it is important to stimulate playing outdoors so they can exercise!
Passive or active smoking: most people start smoking during their teenage years; in addition, living with smokers increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
Vaccination: from the age of 9, boys and girls should take the Hepatitis B vaccine, which can prevent liver cancer, and against the HPV virus (Human Papillomavirus), one of the most important risk factors for developing cervical cancer, among others. ?
Youngsters and adults
Sun exposure: always wear sunscreen, avoiding the period between 10am and 4pm.
food and physical activity: Avoid sausages, saturated fats, ultra-processed foods and prioritize fruits, vegetables and whole foods. Also, keep an exercise or sports routine.
Vaccination: men and women should be sure to take all doses of Hepatitis B vaccines and against the HPV virus – the leading cause of liver cancer and cervical cancer, respectively.
Smoking: there are no safe levels for cigarette or shisha consumption. So, don’t start smoking.
Alcohol: increases the chances of accidents and the development of various types of cancer.
Unprotected sex: in unprotected sexual intercourse it is possible to contract viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Epstein-Barr, which are related to cancer.
Anabolic steroids: the use of this type of substance increases the risk of diseases, especially liver cancer.
Manicure and tattoos: be attentive regarding the sterilization of instruments to avoid hepatitis contamination. ?
Early detection
Even keeping good eating habits, exercising and taking other prevention care, it is possible to develop cancer. Some signs may suggest the development of cancer and require medical evaluation: blood loss in urine or feces, swelling of any part of the body, significant weight loss without a diet, etc.
However, often cancer shows no signs and, therefore, it is very important to have regular medical follow-up.
Your doctor is the one who will refer you to screening tests that can identify possible tumors.
They range from Papanicolaou – which is already part of women’s gynecological routine – to X-rays and CT scans and even biopsies, which categorize possible tumors.
Genetic evaluation can also be part of cancer prevention.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 cases of the disease has a hereditary component. And today there are tests capable of identifying mutations in our genome that predispose to cancer.
Based on the family history analysis made by an expert, it is possible to find this predisposition. If the patient has a mutation that favors the development of cancer, this patient will receive personalized follow-up.
Always remember: the sooner you find out the failure, the less are the chances of a breakdown. And 90% of tumors detected at an early stage have a chance of cure.
It is treatable
The main methods of cancer treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and target therapy. They are chosen by the doctor according to the profile of each type and stage of the disease.
Lately, medicine and technology have been making great progress for the development of even less invasive and more accurate solutions in the search of a cure.
Da Vinci Xi
When the treatment method of choice is surgery, accuracy is determinant for success. Da Vinci is a revolutionary robotic system for minimally invasive procedures, allowing the control of the robot’s arms to precisely and safely command the clamps inside the patient during the procedure.
In parallel, high definition cameras allow wide visualization of the organs and structures to be addressed. With this, difficult removals are made possible in a less traumatic way for the patient, making the recovery faster and less painful.
Radiotherapy with cyberknife
Radiosurgery is not a new treatment, but thanks to CyberKnife, it has become even more resolute. The device, exclusive of Rede D’Or Star in Brazil, has its linear accelerator connected to a robotic arm and it is used to treat injuries in the skull and in other regions having a difficult access.
The equipment allows to apply radiation from different angles and track down the position of the tumor in real time, bringing more precision to the treatment.
Thus, CyberKnife is able to better preserve healthy tissues around the tumor, reducing side effects and making treatment time shorter.
Immunotherapy
Considered by some doctors as the main advancement already achieved against cancer, this type of treatment aims at fighting against the development of the disease by activating the patient’s own immune system.
The idea is that, with the use of medication, the body will be able to fight cancer alone. Not all types of cancer can be treated through immunotherapy, but patients with bladder, kidney and lung cancer, leukemia, head and neck cancers, melanomas and Hodgkin’s lymphomas already benefit from this advance.
Now that you’ve learned that keeping good habits contributes a lot to your health, it’s time to include the doctor as your biggest partner. Thanks to professionals working on different fronts, it is possible to diagnose and face cancer the best possible way.
Consult your doctor regularly.
Technical Consultant:
Dr. Rafael de Castro Penalva Vita – CRM (Regional Medical Council): 11872 BA