Cancer is a dangerous disease. Why is that? Because in the early stages, cancer is generally asymptomatic so it is difficult to detect. Therefore, early detection of cancer is very important so that treatment can be carried out immediately and the chances of recovery are higher.
Early examination or cancer screening is a way to recognize the presence of cancer before the patient experiences symptoms of the disease. This examination is recommended to be done regularly, especially for people who are at high risk of suffering from certain cancers.
Screening examinations or early detection of cancer are also generally recommended for people who have a history of cancer in the family or have genetic factors that can increase the risk of developing cancer.
Early Detection of Cancer and Recognizing Early Symptoms
The following are some types of screening or early detection of cancer based on the type of cancer:
1. Cancer ptits
Breast cancer is a disease caused by the appearance of cancer cells in breast tissue. These cancer cells can grow around the milk ducts and lymph nodes in the breast. Breast cancer generally occurs in women.
Some of the symptoms of breast cancer to watch out for are:
- A painless soft or hard lump appears in the breast
- Painful breasts or nipples
- Nipple pulled in
- Thickened, scaly, red, itchy breast or nipple skin, rash, and irritation
- Discharge from the nipple that is yellow, brown, red, or clear
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
To detect the presence of breast cancer cells, there are several tests that can be done, including:
Breast self-examination (BSE)
BSE is an examination that can be done independently by palpating the breasts to detect whether there are physical changes, such as lumps, or changes in the nipples and skin in the breasts.
Adult women of all ages are advised to do a breast self-examination (BSE) at least once a month.
Mommografi or mammogram
This examination aims to show the appearance of tissue in the breast.
If the results of a mammogram show abnormalities, other investigations, such as an MRI, ultrasound, or biopsy, may be needed to determine whether the abnormality is related to breast cancer or not.
Breast cancer tumor markers
Examination of breast cancer tumor markers is one type of test for early detection of breast cancer. In addition, this examination can also be done to detect the recurrence of breast cancer or monitor the effectiveness of cancer therapy.
Breast cancer screening is recommended for women who have family members who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, as well as women over the age of 47 who have entered menopause. This examination is recommended to be done at least once every 3 years.
2. Cervical cancer or cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the part that connects the uterus and vagina, also known as the cervix. This disease is most often caused by infection with the HPV virus. The virus can enter the uterus when there are genital warts or as a result of risky sex.
In its early stages, cervical cancer is often asymptomatic. In more advanced stages, symptoms that may appear are:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, for example after menopause, after sexual intercourse, or between menstrual periods
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Vaginal discharge or abnormal vaginal discharge
- Menstrual cycle changes and cannot be explained
- Pelvic, leg, or back pain
- Trouble urinating due to a blockage in the kidney or ureter
- Urine or feces into the vagina
- Weight loss
If you feel some of the symptoms above, immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will perform several examinations which include:
PAP smear
Pap smear aims to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that can develop into cancer. This examination is done by taking a sample of cells in the cervix for further analysis in the laboratory.
HPV test
This test is performed to detect human papillomavirus which can cause cell changes, sometimes before abnormal cells are formed or visible.
In areas with inadequate facilities, an IVA (visual inspection of acetic acid) can be performed to detect cervical cancer early. This examination can be done at the Puskesmas and the price is relatively cheap.
These various examinations are highly recommended for women over 25 years of age or women who have had an active sexual relationship.
For women aged between 25–49 years, Pap smears are recommended to be done every 3 years. Meanwhile, for women aged over 49 years, this test should be done every 5 years.
In women aged or over 65 years, cervical cancer screening generally only needs to be done if the results of the previous examination show abnormal results or if they have never had a cervical cancer screening test.
3. Colon cancer
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that arises in the large intestine. This disease is also known as colorectal cancer. Some types of colon cancer originate from lumps of noncancerous tissue that appear as lumps in the large intestine (intestinal polyps).
In its early stages, colon cancer can be asymptomatic. As the disease progresses or the stage of cancer, colon cancer can cause the following symptoms:
- Changes in stool shape and consistency lasting more than 4 weeks
- Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea and constipation, which do not go away
- Bloody stools or bleeding from the anus
- Stomach cramping, pain, or bloating constantly
- Unfinished sensation after defecation
- Weak or tired
- Weight loss for no reason
There are several types of tests that can be done to detect colon cancer, including:
Stool examination
This examination is done by taking a stool sample for analysis in the laboratory to detect the presence of viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as detecting blood or even DNA changes in the stool.
Sigmoidoscopy test
This test is performed using a short, thin, flexible, lightweight tube that is inserted through the rectum into the large intestine. However, this procedure may not detect cancer that is higher than the colon.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy uses a longer, thinner, flexible, lighter tube that is inserted through the anus to check for polyps or cancer in the rectum and the entire intestine. The patient must be on a special diet for 1-2 days before this test is performed.
Colon cancer screening is highly recommended for people aged between 60–75 years and people with a family history of bowel cancer.
4. Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. This type of cancer occurs in the prostate, a small gland that produces seminal fluid and transports sperm.
The following are some of the symptoms that can be experienced by prostate cancer sufferers:
- Often feel the urge to urinate, especially at night
- Difficulty passing or stopping the flow of urine
- Weak or obstructed urine flow
- Inadvertently urinating a little when laughing or coughing
- Cannot urinate in a standing position
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating
- There is blood in the urine or semen
- Bladder feels not completely empty after urinating
- Erectile dysfunction or difficulty getting an erection
- Hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas feel pain
- Legs are weak or numb
- Loss of bladder control
To confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the doctor may perform the following tests:
Anus examination or digital rectal exam (DRE)
The doctor can check the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or other abnormalities around the prostate with a finger. However, this test sometimes cannot detect cancer properly, especially in early-stage prostate cancer.
Test Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
PSA is a protein produced by prostate cancer tissue. However, a high PSA result is not always caused by prostate cancer and not every case of prostate cancer shows a high PSA result.
Prostate cancer screening is highly recommended for men aged between 40–75 years or have a family history of prostate cancer.
5. Lung cancer
Lung cancer usually causes no signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer usually appear when the disease has entered an advanced stage. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer that can appear are:
- Chronic cough or cough that doesn't go away after a few weeks or months
- Coughing up blood or blood in the cough mucus
- Chest pain, especially when breathing in, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Loss of weight and loss of appetite
- Hard to breathe
- Tired quickly
- Frequent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
- Wheezing
- Bone pain
- Headache
Various types of examinations are carried out to detect lung cancer, namely:
- CT scan of the lungs with or without contrast agent
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum examination and lung tissue biopsy
- Bronchoscopy or endoscopy of the lungs
Lung cancer screening is generally recommended for people aged 55–74 years who are currently or have been actively smoking. People who work in the industrial sector and are susceptible to exposure to chemicals, such as asbestos and gasoline, are also advised to carry out these checks.
6. Liver cancer
Liver cancer is cancer that starts in the liver. Liver cancer is divided into 2 types, namely primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer occurs when cancer cells arise in the liver, while secondary liver cancer develops when cancer cells from other organs spread to the liver.
Symptoms that usually occur in patients with liver cancer are:
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Upper stomach hurts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body feels weak and tired
- Stomach swells or there is a buildup of fluid
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes
- White stool
- Feeling very full even though you only eat a little
- Enlarged liver or a lump under the right rib
- An enlarged spleen or a lump under the left rib.
- Itchy rash
Various types of examinations can be done to detect whether a person has liver cancer or not. The inspection includes:
Laboratory examination
Laboratory tests can include complete blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, to tests to detect alpha-protein (AFP) levels.
Imaging test
Several types of imaging tests to detect liver cancer are ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, angiography, to a bone scan if there are complaints of bone pain or the doctor suspects the cancer has spread to the bones.
Laparoscopy and biopsy
This examination is generally done if the doctor suspects that the patient has liver cancer but the results of imaging tests are inconclusive.
This examination is highly recommended for people who often consume alcoholic beverages or people who suffer from certain diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and hemochromatosis.
7. Blood Cancer
Blood cancer or leukemia is a type of cancer that attacks blood cells, such as white blood cells and lymphocytes. Blood cancer can cause the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Tired or tired quickly
- Frequent illness or infection
- Weight loss
- Easy bruising or frequent spontaneous bleeding, for example frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or red spots appearing on the skin
- Frequent cold sweats, especially at night
- Bone pain
- A lump appears in the neck, armpit, or groin
- No appetite
- Pain and swelling in the stomach
The various types of examinations that are carried out to check whether a person has blood cancer or not are:
- General check up
- Bone marrow aspiration
- Radiological examinations, such as X-rays, CT scan and PET scan
- Lumbar puncture
This examination is certainly recommended for those who have genetic disorders or disorders, such as Down syndrome, people with a family history of leukemia sufferers, active smokers, or have a history of exposure to certain chemicals, such as gasoline or factory waste.
Investigations performed to detect the cancer are not entirely accurate. To diagnose for sure whether there are cancer cells or not, a biopsy is necessary.
By taking a sample of tissue that is suspected of having cancer and examining it under a microscope, the doctor will see whether the cells in the organ are still normal or have turned into cancer cells.
Immediately consult a doctor if you feel some of the cancer symptoms above. Keep in mind that feeling these symptoms does not mean you have cancer. However, it never hurts to get checked out to detect cancer as early as possible.
