| Q. |
How long does it take for cancer to develop? |
| A. |
Cancers develop slowly, usually appearing 2 to 40 years after exposure to a cancer-causing agent. This long latent period is one reason why it is so difficult to identify the causes of human cancer. However, scientists agree that people get cancer mainly through repeated or long-term contact with one or more cancer-causing agents called carcinogens . The carcinogens cause body cells to change their structures and grow out of control. Cancer of the lung, for example, may not appear until 30 years after exposure to tobacco smoke. |
| Q. |
I am worried that cancer is on the rise in Singapore. Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of getting it? |
| A. |
Yes, you can reduce your cancer risks by limiting or avoiding exposure to or use of cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). You can protect yourself if you:
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Don’t smoke. Smoking causes cancer and increases the risk from other carcinogens. |
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Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Cut down on unhealthy fats and sugar to stay slim and trim. |
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Drink plenty of fluids between 8 to 10 glasses a day. Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation especially if you smoke. 1 or 2 drinks a day is considerate moderate. |
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Exercise regularly and learn to relax. |
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Go for a health check if you are 40 years and above or as recommended by your doctor eg. Mammogram, Pap smear, Colonoscopy. |
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Avoid too much sunlight, particularly if you are fair skinned. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreens. |
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Discuss hormone replacement therapy with your doctor, if you intend to use it. |
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| Q. |
I am taking a lot of soybean products as they are supposed to be good for health. How exactly is it helpful? |
| A. |
Soybeans are unique in their content of isoflavones, which are weak oestrogen-like compounds that are found in plants. These compounds compete with more potent estrogens for binding to estrogen receptors in breast tissue. In theory at least, isoflavones may inhibit the growth of oestrogen-dependent breast cancer via this mechanism. Similarly, soybeans contain protease inhibitors, saponins, phytosterols and other compounds that have been shown to inhibit cancer formation in animal studies: for example, saponins may reduce the risk of colon cancer by binding bile acids and fats in the colon. |
| Q. |
What is the difference between “Cure” and “Remission”? |
| A. |
Cure means that all evidence of cancer has been eliminated and there is no chance of the cancer coming back. In order to define what a cure is, you must know what the chances are that the cancer will return.
Remission means that the cancer has gotten smaller, all signs and symptoms of the disease have gone and the patient is in good health. For example, the treatment is so successful that there is no detectable evidence of cancer. We call that complete remission. However, a complete remission is not the same as cure, because there may be microscopic clumps of tumour cells that have survived the treatment (and may be resistant to it) that are too small to be detected. If the cancer shrinks to less than half its original size, it is called a partial remission. Some people who have a complete remission will not get a recurrence and once the relevant time has passed (depending on the type of cancer), they may well be considered cured. |
