|
|
|
Is cancer a blood disease? |
 |
|
| |
No, though
cancer cells may move through the blood stream to another
part of the body. Cancer can however develop in certain
tissues. which form the blood cells. |
|
|
|
Is cancer contagious
or infectious? |
|
|
| |
No. since cancer is not
caused by a germ, it is not 'catching', and cannot be
transmitted from one person to another. |
|
|
|
How many kinds of tumors
are there? |
|
|
| |
There are two
kinds of tumors - malignant and benign. A benign tumor
is more common, and is generally harmless. It doesn't
grow beyond a certain limit. and it doesn't spread to
other parts of the body. A malignant tumor on the other
hand, never stops growing and can spread to other parts
of the body. Cancer is the name given to a malignant growth. |
|
|
|
What is the difference
between normal and cancerous growth? |
|
|
| |
There are billions
of cells in the human body. Normally, they grow in a well-regulated
pattern. When cancer sets in, group of cells suddenly
start multiplying haphazardly and forms a lump or "tumor" |
|
|
|
Is pain an early symptom of cancer? |
|
|
| |
No, except in a cancer
involving bone or nerve tissue. Pain usually is a late
symptom and when it occurs, the growth is often far advanced. |
|
|
|
Why should cancer be diagnosed
and treated early? |
|
|
| |
The sooner
it is found it is less likely to have spread to other
parts of the body. Early cancers can be cured. |
|
|
|
How long is it safe to wait before
consulting a physician? |
|
|
| |
Any delay is dangerous.
Go at once to a doctor and ask for a thorough examination. |
|
|
|
Why are periodic examinations necessary? |
|
|
| |
The earlier a cancer is
treated the greater the chance of a cure. Through periodic
examinations, cancer may be detected in its early stages,
before the individual has noticed any sign or symptom
in himself. |
|
|
|
What comprises a thorough cancer check-up? |
|
|
| |
Careful inspection of the entire bo dysurface, heart,
blood vessel and lung examinations. Examination by sight
and touch of accessible organs, such as the mouth, nostrils,
ears, throat, chest, breasts, womb and rectum. Examination
of stomach and intestines by X- ray or ultra sound when
indicated, microscopic examination of blood, and any suspected
tissue. In women, special examination of the breasts and
annual pap smear. Other examinations as indicated, such
as of. the eye, bladder and prostate by appropriate' methods. |
|
|
|
Is the check-up painful? |
|
|
| |
The check-up takes half an hour and is completely
painless. You do not need to phone and get an appointment. |
|
|
|
What is mammography? |
|
|
| |
Mammography is a special X-ray examination
of the breast tissues. |
|
|
|
What is a pap smear? |
|
|
| |
The Papanicolaou Test, (or pap smear) is in fact a microscopic
examination of the cells exfoliated from the uterus and
cervix. |
|
