Frequently Asked Questions to Cancer Specialists

On the occasion of the International Day for the Fight against Cancer, two specialists in the field answered the collection of frequently asked questions about the disease.

Oncologists belonging to the Dominican Cancer League, Dr. Miguel Monanci and Dr. Desiree Perozo, clarify the most frequent doubts that Internet users ask Google.

The specialist Miguel Monanci explained what cancer is, how it is detected and other questions:

Ask: What is cancer and what causes it?

Answers: Cancer encompasses a number of diseases that are generally characterized by the growth and development of abnormal cells that tend to divide and grow without control. As a consequence they spread to other organs of the body, which is commonly known as metastasis.

Q: What is the worst type of cancer?

A: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Globocan, among the most aggressive types of cancer worldwide are lung, liver, pancreas, stomach and colon cancer, some histological types of breast cancer, due to because a diagnosis is established when they are at a very advanced stage.

Q: How is cancer detected?

A: After the signs and symptoms that the patient presents, specific extension studies are required, especially those that allow us to know the type of cancer. In addition, a biopsy is required, which is performed in the area where there is suspicion.

Q: Are there carcinogenic foods? Which are?

A: Processed foods are those that are directly related to the development of some types of cancer, excessive consumption of red meat, fried foods, refined sugars, and charred foods.

Q: How do I know if I have cancer?

A: The symptoms are very varied and in many cases you may not have any, but in a general sense they are: unexplained fever, unintentional weight loss (more than 10 pounds), change in bowel pattern, growth masses rapid, unexplained bleeding, and abnormal discharge.

P: How to prevent cancer from progressing?

A: Be attentive to the sudden changes that you can identify in your body, maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise and above all go regularly and without interruptions to your follow-up consultations.

while the specialist Desiree Perozoaddressed topics about silent cancers, the existence of a cure, among others.

P: What types of cancers are silent?

A: Very often early stage tumors are silent. This is why it is important to visit your doctor in the event of any unusual symptoms.

Q: What cancer has no cure?

A: Previously, it was thought that all cancers diagnosed in metastatic stages were considered incurable; however, at present they have, although to a lesser extent, the possibility of achieving a complete response after being treated with oncological treatment.

Talking about cure in the context of a cancer patient is an ambiguous term, because a cured patient is considered to be one who, after 5 years of being treated, is free of disease. Even after this period has elapsed, it could return.

Q: Are there foods to prevent cancer? Which are?

A: The truth is that diet is one of the risk factors for suffering from some type of cancer. Therefore, it is of great importance to create a new food culture based on limiting dietary excess and preferring healthier foods. I recommend consuming fruits, vegetables, foods low in fat and salt.

P: How to prevent the cancer from progressing?

A: To prevent the disease from advancing, it must be treated as soon as possible. Hence the importance of an opportune diagnosis.

Q: How are cancer cells killed?

A: It is possible to remove them both by excision of the tumor and by surgical treatment in the setting of local disease or cancer treatment in locally advanced disease. Being possible to be eliminated even in distant disease in a smaller proportion. What we call complete response to treatment or in remission in the metastatic setting.

Q: What is the most common cancer?

A: This will depend on the gender of the patient. In women, breast cancer. And in men, lung cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Source-listindiario.com