| Importance of Prevention and Prophylaxis
Prevention refers to measures taken by healthy people in order to
avoid cancer. Prophylaxis refers to measures taken by cancer patients
to confine cancer expansion and achieve better treatment result.
We are exposed to all kinds of cancer-inductive substances. Statistics
show that 80% of cancers were caused by environmental factors. It
is conventional wisdom that the most effective weapon against cancer
is the one used before cancer happens. Results from cancer research
and practice show that cancer is not inevitable. One third of cancers
can be stopped through sufficient preventions. One third could be
treated if detected at early stage. In the remaining one third of
all cases, palliative treatment can effectively enhance patients'
quality of life.
The ultimate goal of cancer prevention and prophylaxis is to lower
the rate of occurrence and mortality. Effective preventions include
improving health and minimizing exposure to risk factors for non-patients
(first-line prevention); screening, early detection and diagnosis
(second-line prevention); and lowering incidents of complications,
improving survival and rehabilitation, improving quality of life
(third-line prevention).
Preventative and Prophylactic Measures
Early detection and timely treatment are at the core of preventative
measures of cancer. The screening should target at high-risk individuals
or among the general population. Families of cancer patients are usually
considered high-risk groups as they share with the patients similar
genetic idiosyncrasies and living styles. Early detection among the
general population is made possible through a medical examination
procedure called screening. The favorite types of cancer of the screening
process are those that can be treated effectively at early stages,
such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and cervical
cancer. Voluminous evidence proves that the earlier the detection,
the more satisfactory the therapeutic results, the lower the mortality.
| Preventative and Prophylactic Measures |
| Oral cancer |
Quit smoking, drinking, chewing betel nut; avoid injury from
denture |
| Laryngeal cancer |
Avoid overusing voice, excessive coughing, quit smoking and
drinking. |
| Lung cancer |
Avoid catching cold, coughing, drinking, smoking |
| Esophagus cancer |
Avoid eating hot food, drinking liquors |
| Stomach cancer |
Avoid weight-bearing and long walk with empty stomach. Avoid
coldness. Take precautions in taking medicines |
| Colorectal cancer |
Avoid constipation and diarrhea |
| Breast cancer |
Avoid wearing over-tight bra. Loosen bra while sleeping |
| Bladder cancer |
Avoid holding urination |
| Kidney cancer |
Avoid high-calorie food |
| Glioma |
Avoid stimulation to head and body by cold |
| Osteosarcoma |
Avoid longtime walk or standing |
|
