At least once cancer is preventable if women get vaccinated, an oncologist told a gathering of women at a city hotel recently.
Cervical cancer can be prevented if women get vaccinated, said Arunava Roy, senior consultant and head of gyneacologic oncology at Medica Superspecialty Hospitals.
“The best time to get vaccine is between 9 and 15 years. The second best time is 15 to 26 years. There is no bar on taking the vaccine beyond 26 years, but it will be less effective,” said Roy.
“Women who are in their 30s and 40s should undergo screening to see if they have the cervical cancer,” he said.
Cancer can be treated and timely intervention can expand life and also improve the quality of life, said Roy
No one should die from breast cancer if it is detected at an early stage, he said.
Awareness about some initial signs leads to early diagnosis and treatment which increases the chance recovery by many folds, said Roy.
“The early signs for breast cancer are lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple, bleeding from the nipple or skin changes in the breast,” he said.
Roy was speaking at a programme organised jointly by the All Ladies League and Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Medica Superspecialty Hospitals.
Roy also spoke about robotic surgery that makes it possible for patients undergoing major surgeries to get discharged the same day.
“In case of robotic surgeries patients can join work very soon. They need to spend less time in hospital and they recover very fast,” he added.
Roy said that uterus and ovarian cancer can be treated and women can have a very good quality of life if they pick up the early signs.
“One of the most common early signs for uterus cancer is heavy bleeding while one is approaching menopause or during the post-menopause period. A woman facing this issue should consult a doctor without delay,” he said.
In case of ovarian cancer, women who have history of ovarian cancer in the family should be extra careful as they are predisposed to the ailment, he said.
Roy added that ovarian cancer presents itself with gastric disorders than gynaecological problems.
“If a gastric problem is persistent is not solved despite long treatment, it could be an early sign of ovarian cancer,” he said.