Know about Cancer

What is Bladder Cancer?

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that lies in the area surrounded by the hipbones, an area called the pelvis. The bladder acts as a reservoir to collect urine from the kidneys. The muscles of the bladder assist in the passing of urine from the lower urinary passage (urethra). The cells lining the bladder can develop abnormally and result in bladder cancer.

How common is Bladder Cancer?

In India, bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in men. This cancer usually occurs after the age of 40 years and is seen mostly in people between 50 to 70 years of age. It is about three times more common in men than in women.

Causes and Risks

This cancer has been associated with smoking, the exposure to certain chemicals related to the aniline dye industry, and chronic infections with schistosomiasis (a parasite) which is common in the Middle East and Africa.

Sypmtoms

The most common symptom is passing out bloodstained urine. This is usually not painful. Blood in the urine associated with pain is usually due to infection or stone disease. Bleeding in bladder cancer is usually more severe and linked with the passing out of blood clots. Occasionally, the cancer can cause blockage in the bladder and give rise to difficulty in passing urine. If there is blood in the urine, especially if a person is above 40 years old, it is important not to rule out bladder cancer.

Diagnosis

If bladder cancer is suspected, the doctor will arrange for a cystoscopy, an examination where a flexible fibre-optic tube with a light source is used to look at the urethra and the bladder. This can be done under local or general anaesthetic. Removal of a small amount of tissue from the lining of the bladder can also be done. Scans of the pelvis and abdomen may be arranged to look at the other areas that may be affected by the cancer. A bone scan may be ordered if the bones are suspected to be affected by the cancer.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer arises from a malignant tumour. It occurs when breast cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. Normal cells divide and produce in an orderly manner. Sometimes this orderly process is disrupted and cells grow and divide out of control, producing extra tissue to form a mass or lump called a tumour. A tumour can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The breasts are made up mainly of fat cells and gland cells. Milk-producing glands in the breast are made up of individual cells which normally reproduce under the control of hormones. Sometimes this process of reproduction goes out of control and an abnormal glandular structure develops. This is the beginning of cancer. The majority of breast cancers start in the milk ducts. A small number start in the milk sacs or lobules.

How common is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in most cities in India, and 2nd most common in the rural areas. Breast Cancer accounts for 25% to 32% of all female cancers in India. This implies, practically, one fourth (or even approaching one thirds) of all female cancer cases are breast cancers.

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women in Kolkata. Breast cancer accounts for 25.4% of all cancers in women in Kolkata. 50% of all cases are in the age group of 25 to 50 years.

Age of Onset

The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most women who are diagnosed to have breast cancer are older than 40 years old, but younger women may also be affected.

Causes and Risks

Breast cancer is often triggered by the repeated monthly cycle of normal female hormones. The length of the fertile period, i.e. from the first period to menopause, is a risk factor. A woman whose menopause occurs at 55 years of age has a significantly greater risk than a woman who menopauses at 45 years of age. Age is also important: having the first completed pregnancy after the age of 30 years increases the risk compared to those who complete the first pregnancy before the age of 30. Likewise, women who have never been pregnant also have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Breast feeding also protects against breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer and this should be discussed before embarking on the treatment.

Between 5 to 10% of all breast cancers are associated with genetic factors. The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been identified and may be associated with breast cancer occurring in approximately half of all families with a very strong history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.