Primary Cancer Prevention
The pillars of health remain:
– a healthy diet,
– moderate exercise, and
– early detection of diseases.
We focus primarily on:
– a healthy cholesterol level, distinguishing between HDL or “good” cholesterol, which should be high, and LDL or “bad” cholesterol, which should be low.
– a healthy blood glucose or sugar level, that is, preventing hyperglycemia and diabetes.
– not smoking. 30% of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco, and 95% of people with lung cancer are smokers.
– not drinking alcohol, which is linked to multiple degenerative diseases and is high in calories and sugar. Approximately 4% of cancer deaths are attributed to alcohol.
– exercising. A minimum of 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week, accompanied by at least two strength training sessions.
– Avoid distress, that is, negative stress, which in the long run increases cortisol levels.
– Sleep a minimum of 6 hours and no more than 9 hours a day.
– Maintain healthy blood pressure.
Up to 10% of diagnosed tumors are likely hereditary. Therefore, through various tests recommended during genetic counseling sessions, the presence of cancer could be diagnosed in its early stages.
Gynecological Examination
One of the most important tasks of the gynecologist is the diagnosis of infectious diseases and the prevention and early diagnosis of genital and breast cancer.
Normally, after an initial anamnesis to know the general state of the woman, she asks about alterations or irregularities of the menstrual cycle, abdominal pains, changes in her mood, etc
Next, an examination of the external female genitalia (vulva, vagina, cervix), a cervical smear, and a breast examination are performed.
The examination involves visualising the cervix and taking cells from it, which are usually placed on a slide to be studied later in the laboratory by a cytologist. Next, it will be reported if the analyzed cervical cells are normal or on the contrary are starting to change their shape and are then catalogued as precancerous lesions that can be mild, moderate or severe, or even directly suspicious of cancer. Most of these lesions are produced by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Vaginal inflammations or infections can be detected in the same scan
A scan of the uterus and ovaries is then performed.
The study can be completed with an ultrasound scan to rule out the presence of uterine tumors such as myomas, endometrial polyps, or cysts and/or adnexal tumors and especially to rule out malignant tumors called carcinomas.
A breast examination is then performed to rule out the most common type of cancer in women, breast cancer. After the scan, a breast ultrasound or mammography can be performed if necessary. If a breast lump is detected, it can almost directly indicate whether the lump is suspected to be non-benign. In this case, a diagnostic biopsy must be performed.
- This last sentence is a link to: breast cancer.
