Getting to Know Early Stage Cancer
The word cancer often stirs feelings of discomfort and even fear in many people. According to statistics, as many as 48,639 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Malaysia in 2021. This number is an increase from the previous year, and is expected to rise significantly in the future, doubling by the year 2040.
Among the most common types of cancers reported in Malaysia are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and liver cancer, in that order.
The good news is that when cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery increases too. Here, let’s take a look at what early stage cancer is and how it is treated.
What is Cancer?
To begin understanding this, we must first understand what cancer is. Cancer happens when the cells in your body grow in an uncontrollable manner. Normal healthy cells know when to stop growing, but in cancerous cells, this mechanism is impaired in one way or another.
This often leads to functional problems for the organs involved. In many cases, the cancer cells grow into a tumor. Tumors fall into two categories, namely benign and malignant.
Benign tumors grow at the area that the cancer originated, and don’t spread or invade neighboring cells and organs. They’re much less aggressive and usually don’t recur after they have been removed.
Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are more aggressive and spread and invade into the surrounding areas. Tumor cells of this type can also travel via the bloodstream to other organs, causing new tumors to form in other parts of the body.
What is Early Stage Cancer?
When a doctor has diagnosed a cancer patient, they will be told how far along the cancer has developed and how far it has spread. The levels of cancer are generally divided into five stages. Certain cancers such as leukemias (cancer of the blood cells), lymphoma (cancer of the lymph node) and brain cancers have their own categorization.
These are the five stages of cancer:
Stage 0: At this stage, there is no actual cancer. However, the tests conducted indicate that there are cells with the potential to become cancerous. No treatment is needed, but your doctor may advise some lifestyle changes to reduce the chances of cancer developing.
Stage I: The cancer is still very small and localized in one area. This is what we call early stage cancer.
Stage II: The cancer has grown larger, but has not spread to neighboring tissues or other parts of your body.
Stage III: The cancer has started become bigger and invaded nearby tissues and lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of your body and there is more than one tumor or cancer source.
It is important for doctors to classify your cancer stage, as this will help in planning treatment strategies and help the doctor predict possible outcomes.
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As mentioned previously, the earlier your cancer is detected, especially if it is Stage I and below, the better your chances of recovery and survival.
How is Early Stage Cancer Detected?
Unlike advanced cancers, early stage cancer can oftentimes not present any symptoms. Other times, they may present only minor symptoms.
According to the WHO, the medical field’s approach to detecting cancer early is to raise awareness about early symptoms and encourage regular screening.
Therefore, some of the best ways to detect cancer early on the part of the individual, is to firstly know symptoms associated with cancer. Secondly, do not ignore these symptoms and schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Source: xFrame
Thirdly, it is important to have regular screenings, especially if you have a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
At the clinical stage, a doctor may perform a physical examination on you to determine if you have any outward symptoms. You’ll also have to provide them with details about your lifestyle and symptoms, if any.
Thereater, they may order further tests. This may include a blood and other laboratory tests to screen for cancer markers. Your blood tests will also reveal any abnormalities in organ function or metabolism which can indicate the root cause of symptoms.
Subsequently, the oncologist ( cancer specialist) you’re seeing may also order imaging tests, such as an X-Ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography ( CT scan) or an Ultrasound.
Source: xFrame
How is Early Stage Cancer treated?
Just like any other cancer, early stage cancer is treated with a combination of strategies. These treatments include:
Surgery: Physically removing the cancerous tumor and as much of the cancerous cells surrounding it as possible.
Chemotherapy: Medication that directly targets cancerous cells and kills them. Chemotherapy drugs have really improved over the years in terms of the specificity in targeting cancer, and the reduction of unwanted side effects.
Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy uses high energy waves to kill cancer cells by targeting their physical and molecular structure. Examples of beams used include X-rays and protons. They can be supplied by an external machine or a small radiation source can be embedded into your body.
Hormone therapy: This treatment blocks certain hormones in your body that fuel the growth of cancer cells, such as breast or prostate cancer.
Immunotherapy: Your immune system is naturally able to destroy cancer cells, so this therapy gives a boost and supports your immune system’s function by tagging and labeling cancer cells so they’re more easily recognizable.
Stem cell/bone marrow transplant: Often, this is used to treat blood related cancers like leukemia. The blood producing cells in your bones, known as the bone marrow are replaced with healthier ones from a donor.
Targeted drugs: Many new cancer therapies can now target abnormalities in cancer cell metabolism and structure, thereby eliminating them.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Research has shown that early detection can actually increase a patient’s survival rate by three times. It also increases quality of life, and remission chances.
In Malaysia, cancer treatments costs vary depending on the stage of cancer you’re having and where you’re receiving treatment. On average, early stage cancer can cost anywhere from RM50,000 to RM200,000.
Financing your early cancer treatment doesn’t have to be stressful, as there are many insurance packages available that can cater to your specific needs and conditions. Do feel free to speak to us regarding them at any time.