Screening and cancer prevention

Cancer is scary.  Some cancers are easy to screen for and therefore prevent; some cancers do not have a good way to screen and they are often found in advanced stages.  Gynecologists and primary physicians build into wellness appointments provisions and discussions about screening for some common cancers, and this screening significantly decreases the development of cancers and the death rate from these cancers.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women behind skin cancers.  One in 8 women, or 13% of women, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  Breast cancer has been increasing in the past few years.  Deaths have been decreasing in women older than 50 years, but deaths are staying the same in women younger than 50. 

Breast cancer is mostly due to risk factors and random events; 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history.  Only 5 to10% of breast cancers are hereditary. Mammograms and MRI’s are the only acceptable modes of screening, although other testing can assist in detection. 

Risk factors for breast cancer can be reduced by maintaining a normal weight, daily activity, eating a healthy plant based, low animal product diet, stopping alcohol, and breastfeeding newborns.

Cervical cancer has a 0.7% lifetime risk in women.  Rates are decreasing, perhaps because of increased screening and awareness.  Cervical cancer is caused by HPV being active and able to transform cervical cells.  Almost everyone has HPV.  The number of HPV types in a woman is increased by having more lifetime sexual contacts, earlier age at first intercourse, and lack of protection from the HPV vaccine.  The HPV becomes more active in smokers and those with auto-immune disorders and immune system deficiencies.

Colon cancer is increasing: 4% or one in 25 women, and 4.3% or one in 23 men, will get colon cancer.  The rates are increasing, so the age of screening was decreased to 45 years of age, as opposed to 50.  The death rate is decreasing, probably from polyps being found earlier by colonoscopy and preventing cancer, or earlier detection of the cancer by colonoscopy.  Colonoscopy is the gold standard to prevent and treat colon cancer, polyps can be seen and removed without ever becoming cancer.  The stool test only shows when cancer has developed, and those people still need colonoscopy, bowel resection, and possibly chemo or radiation.

Colon cancer can be decreased by healthy diet being plant based and no or low animal product, daily activity, keeping a normal weight, stopping alcohol and stopping smoking.  Processed meats are a level 1 carcinogen and red meats are carcinogenic.  All animal, poultry, and fish products have carcinogenic properties.

With all that being said, I encourage anyone and everyone female to come in for wellness exams and guidance on cancer prevention and screening.  It’s nice to get that normal test and be reassured!  Call us at 850-916-7766.

Author

Karen E Kennedy MD Gynecologist for over 21 years in Gulf Breeze, FL, caring for patients in the Florida panhandle area.