Call us on Lindsay Street Medical Centre on 46 329688
or
Highfield’s Medical Centre on 46308800
What Causes Breast Cancer?
We do not know what causes breast cancer, although we do know that certain risk factors may put you at higher risk of developing it. A person’s age, genetic factors, personal health history, and diet all contribute to breast cancer risk.
Who Gets Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). Today, about 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2017, about 252,710 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 40,610 will die from the disease.
Only 5% to 10% of breast cancers occur in women with a clearly defined genetic predisposition for the disease. The majority of breast cancer cases are “sporadic,” meaning there is no direct family history of the disease. The risk for developing breast cancer increases as a woman ages.
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.
- A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.
- A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.
- A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
- A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed).
- Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.
- A change in shape or position of the nipple
- An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
- A marble-like hardened area under the skin.
WHAT IS THE PROSTATE?
Only men have a prostate. It is a small gland that sits below the bladder near the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the passage in the penis through which urine and semen pass.
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It produces most of the fluid that makes up semen that enriches sperm. The prostate needs the male hormone testosterone to grow and develop.
The prostate is often described as being the size of a walnut and it is normal for it to grow as men age. Sometimes this can cause problems, such as difficulty urinating. These problems are common in older men and not always symptoms or signs of cancer.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. In the later stages, some symptoms of prostate cancer might include:
- Feeling the frequent or sudden need to urinate
- Finding it difficult to urinate (for example, trouble starting or not being able to urinate when the feeling is there or poor urine flow)
- Discomfort when urinating
- Finding blood in urine or semen
- Pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips.
These symptoms may not mean you have prostate cancer, but if you experience any of them, go and see your doctor.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?
Factors that are most strongly linked to an increased chance of developing prostate cancer:
- Age: Prostate cancer is an age-dependent disease, which means the chance of developing it increases with age. The risk of getting prostate cancer by the age of 75 is 1 in 7 men. By the age of 85, this increases to 1 in 5.
- Family history: If you have a first degree male relative with prostate cancer, you have a higher chance of developing it than men with no such history. The risk increases again if more than one male relative has prostate cancer. Risks are also higher for men whose male relatives were diagnosed when young.
OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PROSTATE CANCER:
Factors that are most strongly linked to an increased chance of developing prostate cancer:
- Genetics: Genes are found in every cell of the body. They control the way the cells in the body grow and behave. Every person has a set of many thousands of genes inherited from both parents. Changes to genes can increase the risk of prostate cancer being passed from parent to child. Although prostate cancer can’t be inherited, a man can inherit genes that can increase the risk.
- Diet: There is some evidence to suggest that eating a lot of processed meat or food that is high in fat can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Lifestyle: There is evidence to show that environment and lifestyle can affect the risk of developing prostate cancer.
HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER DETECTED AND DIAGNOSED?
A doctor will usually do a blood test and/or physical examination to check the health of the prostate.
- Blood test (Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test): The result shows whether there is an increase in this specific protein. Depending on the result, you might need further investigation by a specialist. A high PSA test result does not necessarily mean cancer. Prostate diseases other than cancer can also cause a higher than normal PSA level.
- Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): Because of where the prostate is located, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the size of the prostate and assess if there are any abnormalities. A normal DRE result does not rule out prostate cancer.
DIAGNOSIS
If your tests show you may be at risk of prostate cancer, the next step is a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way a firm diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made. A urologist removes small samples of tissue from your prostate, using very thin, hollow needles guided by an ultrasound. The prostate is either accessed through the rectum (transrectal) or the perineum (transperineal), which is the area between the anus and the scrotum. A biopsy is usually done as an out-patient procedure and the doctor will likely advise a course of antibiotics afterwards to reduce the chance of infection. The tissue is sent to a pathologist to identify whether the cells are malignant (cancerous) or benign (not cancerous).
REDUCING THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PROSTATE CANCER
There is no evidence that the following protective factors can stop prostate cancer from developing, but they can improve your overall health and possibly reduce the risk of prostate cancer:
- Diet: Eat meals that are nutritious. Refer to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. What is good for the heart is good for the prostate.
- Physical activity/exercise: There is some evidence to show that physical activity and regular exercise can be protective factors for cancer. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes of a day.
Nutrition
Enjoy a wide variety of foods from the five food groups everyday. Healthy eating is easy! For more information visit: www.eatforhealth.gov.au
New and Existing patient
s are encouraged to use our online booking system for routine or standard appointments. If you can’t see your preferred GP online, have a questions or need to make a non standard booking with your Doctor and a fantastic Practice Nurse no problem give one of the friendly receptionists a call to help you Lindsay Street Medical Centre or Highfields District Medical Centre.
Be careful what you put in your mouth
- Contaminated food and water are the most common ways to develop illness while away. Diseases include Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Travellers diarrhoea and Cholera
- Even travellers to 5 star hotels need to consider protection from food and water borne diseases
- Ensure your water is properly purified and your food is well cooked, boiled or peeled
- Brush your teeth with purified water
- Avoid drinks with ice.
Avoid Insect & Animal bites
- Wear protective clothing
- In some countries mosquitoes can carry Malaria, Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Yellow Fever
- Use effective insect repellents
- Sleep in screened rooms or under mosquito nets
- Stay way from animals to avoid being bitten or scratched as this can lead to a number of infections including rabies which is fatal if not treated.
Don’t play in the dirt
- Bacteria and parasites live in soil and are capable of entering broken skin
- Soil can be contaminated by animal faeces and tetanus spores
- Always wear protective footwear.
Be careful what you share
- Many diseases are transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing, from the common cold and flu to meningococcal meningitis and diphtheria
- Avoid exposure to infected people and avoid crowded places where possible
- Wash your hands regularly or use sanitised hand wash/wipe
- Always wash hands before eating or preparing food
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Remember vaccination is often your best defence. Many diseases are covered in your routine childhood immunisations but adults may require boosters.
Specialised travel vaccines are kept in stock at Travel Clinics Australia clinics nationwide.
Your travel doctor is the best person to advise on what is best for your specific needs.
Other things to consider
A travel first aid kit.
Ensure you have enough of your regular medications and carry these in your hand luggage in case your checked baggage is lost or delayed.
These medications should be authorised for use by your doctor as in certain countries restrictions may apply. The Travellers Pocket Medical Guide given to each traveller at the travel clinic has a customised section for this purpose.
Scan or photograph your important documents and keep them on your smart phone.
Download the Travel Clinics Australia Vaccine App to keep a handy record of your vaccines and access detailed travel health issues quickly and easily.
Check Visa requirements.
Be aware of different climates and pack accordingly, keep up fluids in hot climates.
Talk to your doctor about minimising the risk of DVT on long flights.
Be prepared for culture shock. You may experience different practices, attitudes and poverty that can be confronting.
Don’t leave home without Travel Insurance, medical treatment overseas can be very expensive!
Register your trip on www.smartraveller.gov.au and check their warnings.
