MHPE Volunteer Resource ILLNESS PREVENTION Cancer and its prevention Tab 21.
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Transcript of MHPE Volunteer Resource ILLNESS PREVENTION Cancer and its prevention Tab 21.
MHPE Volunteer Resource
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention
Tab 21
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Cancer: what is it?
• Mutations within cells– Cancer type (e.g. carcinoma, leukaemia) is
important as well as location• Benign vs. malignant tumours• Spread via invasion and metastases
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Why is ‘cancer’ so frightening
• Common: 1 in 2 Australians• Ageing is the biggest risk factor!• Survival rates are improving• Most do well• And yet…
“He’s got cancer”
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Prostate health
• Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE/BPH)• Pressure on the urethra, so urinary symptoms• Difficulty starting, weak stream, urgency,
frequency, dribbling, sleep disrupted to urinate • Doctor may perform digital examination ± PSA• Treatment: do nothing, drugs or surgery
BPE is not cancer
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Prostate cancer
• Few early symptoms: all men >50 should talk regularly with their doctor about any urinary or sexual concerns
• Variety of treatments, including ‘watch and wait’, hormones, radiotherapy and surgery
• Early diagnosis improves outcomes• Slow growing: most men with prostate cancer
will die with the disease rather than from it
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Colorectal (bowel) cancer
• May be preventable with healthy lifestyle• National screening at ages 50, 55, 60, 65, 70
and 74 for early detection• See your GP if bleeding, changes in bowel
habits, bloating, cramping or weakness• Excellent outcomes with early detection
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Lung cancer
• Mostly preventable: Don’t smoke, or quit now • Breathing symptoms, cough, chest pain, blood in
sputum (‘phlegm’), lethargy or weight loss should be discussed with your doctor
• Often few early symptoms, so high mortality• Most common cause of cancer death
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Skin cancer
• Two main groups: melanoma and NMSC (non-melanoma skin cancers: BCC, SCC)
• 95-99% due to excessive sun exposure, so largely preventable
• Know your skin & get all changes checked• Very high cure rates when detected early• Be SunSmart: slip, slop, slap, seek, slide!
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Testicular cancer
• Mostly men <40, but very low incidence• Little evidence Testicular Self-Examination
improves outcomes, but no harm either• Not caused by trauma, strains etc• No symptoms other than lump or swelling• Diagnosis (and cure) by orchidectomy• 97% cure if in testicle only
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Talking about cancer
• Most people prefer to talk about cancer• It may be to a professional, family or a friend• Keep the door open to discussion when, and if,
the person wants it• It is about their experience, not yours• Practical help makes a difference• The person is living, at their own pace
Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Preventing cancer
At least 1/3 of cancers are preventable
• Don’t smoke (Quit now)
• Eat healthily
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be SunSmart
• Limit alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• See your doctor for checks
MHPE Volunteer Resource – Tab 21
Illness prevention: Cancer and its prevention
Resources
• Cancer Council Australia • Cancer Council Victoria• Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia• Andrology Australia
© Commonwealth of Australia 2015