Breast Cancer

What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer among women. Many reported cases of patients consulting breast cancer specialists in Singapore are older women aged 40 and above. Breast cancer starts when some breast cells start growing abnormally. They also divide more rapidly than healthy cells do, due to a disruptive cycle in the normal division of cells in the breast. The abnormal reproduction then results in the formation of a lump or a mass.

Causes & Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

There are many factors why breast cancer occurs predominantly and so commonly in women. Some of these crucial factors include menopause, monthly menstrual cycles and genetics.

Here are some of the causes and risks:

• If a close family member had a history of breast cancer
• Earlier menstruation for girls usually before the age of 12
• Menopause, for women aged 55 and above
• Women who have had their first pregnancies at the age of 30 and above
• Women who have not given birth before
• Hormone replacement therapy

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

The most common symptom of breast cancer is the formation of a lump in the breast, but symptoms vary in many cases. It was reported that only one in 10 lumps is diagnosed as malignant. Proper consultation with a breast cancer specialist is the best way to help detect early signs of breast cancer.

Here are some of the common symptoms of breast cancer:

• Lump growing in the breast area
• Irregular enlargement of the breast
• Abnormal discharge from the nipple
• Nipple is drawn inwards
• Rash on the nipple or areola
• Bloody nipple discharge

Diagnosis for Breast Cancer

A variety of non-surgical procedures can detect the onset of breast cancer. Some of these procedures can help evaluate the extent and nature of the lump growing on the breast. Ideally, one should consult a breast cancer surgeon for proper diagnosis, and, in the face of abnormal results, to determine if breast cancer surgery is needed.

Here are some ways to diagnose and treat breast cancer non-surgically:

• Mammogram – A mammogram is a procedure that examines the breast using a special low-dose x-ray equipment. Its images will allow the doctor to determine if lumps are present even before they can be felt.
• Breast Ultrasound – A breast ultrasound uses soundwaves to produce pictures of the internal structures of the breast, thereby determining if an abnormality (found during a mammogram) is solid, fluid-filled or both cystic and solid.

Non-surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer

• Hormone Therapy - Hormone Therapy is a treatment that prevents breast cancer hormones from affecting the blood. This is a type of therapy recommended before or after surgery for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This type of breast cancer can be treated with hormone therapy drugs that lower oestrogen levels or block oestrogen receptors.
• Radiotherapy – Radiotherapy is regarded as one of the highly effective treatments for breast cancer. This type of therapy uses a high-energy beam that can destroy a cell’s DNA.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy can be used to treat all stages of breast cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells and is usually administered intravenously.

Surgical Treatments for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer surgery comes in different forms, and your breast cancer surgeon will determine which is the most suitable for you based on your type of breast cancer, its stage, size and so on. The doctor will also be able to determine if it is possible to conserve the breast after surgery.

Here are the available surgical treatments for breast cancer:

• Breast conservation surgery - Breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy) is a type of surgery that concerns only the removal of the tumour and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue.
• Removal of lymph nodes – If the cancer is found to have spread to your lymph nodes, your breast surgeon may consider removing them.
• Mastectomy - This procedure involves the removal of the entire breast.

As with all cancers, early detection of breast cancer in its early stages yields a much better prognosis and outcome. At Maven Surgery, Singapore breast surgeon Dr Chong Chee Keong specializes in breast cancer treatment as well as breast cancer surgery, always with the patient’s preferences and wellbeing in mind. Dr Chong also actively participates in international cancer conferences and overseas breast cancer surgery training, ensuring that his knowledge and skills are kept up-to-date. Contact Dr Chong at 6355 5285 for a comprehensive consultation today.

What You Need to Know about Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is basically cancer of the colon and rectum and is most prevalent among people aged 50 and above. To put the scale of colorectal cancer in perspective, it is the #1 cancer in Singapore and it does not discriminate – it is #1 among men and #2 among women.

While colorectal cancer can be genetic, it is usually caused by a polyp in the colon turning cancerous. As such, early detection and removal of polyps while they are still benign, is crucial.

Causes & Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer

Poor lifestyle choices can contribute to colorectal cancer. Frequent smoking, alcohol-drinking and even eating high-caloric foods are just some of the factors that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Some causes and risks of colorectal cancer:

• History of colorectal cancer in the family
• History of having any type of cancer in the past
• Age (>50)
• Alcohol and cigarette smoking
• Irritable bowel disease or Crohn's disease
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor diet choices which are high in calories

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Symptoms of colorectal cancer can be hard to detect in its early stages.

Nonetheless, here are some common symptoms of colorectal cancer:

• Blood in faeces
• Unusual changes in the bowel movement
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Discomfort in the abdominal area such as cramps, feeling bloated, and gas

Diagnosis for Colorectal Cancer

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be done through a rectal examination. This non-surgical procedure is performed through the gentle insertion of a finger into the rectum. However, this can only detect cancer if it affects 5 to 8 cm of the rectal area.

In other cases, a colonoscopy or faecal blood test can be used in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy would be the most detailed test, allowing the doctor to clearly see the entire length of the colon with the help of a thin flexible tube (with a small camera attached) being inserted through the anus and gently threaded through the colon.

Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

• Laparoscopic surgery - This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that only requires small incisions in the skin. The procedure uses a thin fibre optic instrument called laparoscope, which is built with a high-resolution camera. As the laparoscope probes inside the body, the images are seen through a monitor for observation.
• Colostomy - This is a procedure where the large intestine is directly attached to an opening made in the abdominal wall, called a stoma. The opening is made as a pathway for stool to come out of the body. This procedure is done when the colon or rectum is not functioning properly.
• Cryoablation - This is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to combat cancer cells. This procedure uses cryophobes – hollow needles inserted into the skin. These specialized needles facilitate a freezing process that eventually kills the cancerous tissues.
• Chemotherapy - This is a procedure that uses drugs (which are either injected through the veins or taken orally) in order to kill cancer cells in the colon or rectum. In severe cases of colorectal cancer, palliative chemotherapy is advised. This type of chemotherapy is administered to help shrink the cancerous tumours in the colon or the rectum when surgery is not possible.

Colorectal cancer is a serious condition of colon and the rectum. This is common for older people, and for those with poor lifestyle habits. Learning about the symptoms and stages of colorectal cancer can help in the prevention and detection of this disease.

Colorectal Cancer Surgeon Dr Chong Chee Keong has an in-depth understanding of managing patients with colorectal cancer because of his years of training and participation in various international cancer conferences. Aside from this, Dr Chong is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow. Dr Chong offers specialized services to patients, such as screening procedures for colorectal cancer as well as colorectal cancer surgery. Contact Dr Chong at 6355 5285 for a comprehensive consultation today.