Types of cancer

• Cervical cancer


  Any woman who has had sexual intercourse at any time in her life is at risk of developing cancer of the cervix
• Human papilloma virus (HPV)


  Caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted by genital skin contact during intercourse
• In most cases, an infection clears up naturally in about 8 to 14 months
• Most people are infected with HPV at some time in their lives and will never know it
• Abnormalities of cervical cells

  In a small number of women, the infection does not clear up and abnormalities of cervical cells can develop
• Dr George Papanicolaou discovered that changes occur in cervical cells before they become cancerous


  1928
• Papanicolaou test


  1. Cells collected from cervix

  2. Smeared on to a microscope slide

  3. Examined for abnormalities
• Cervical Screening Test


  A test that detects early changes in cervical cells that may develop into cancer
• The Cervical Screening Test does not diagnose cancer
• A Cervical Screening Test every three to five years can prevent up to 90% of the most common form of cervical cancer
• Breast cancer


  The most common type of cancer in Australian women and the second most common cause of cancer-related death
• Since 1991, BreastScreen Australia has run a free screening program for Australian women aged 50 to 74
• Age groups eligible for BreastScreen Australia

  • 50 to 74
  • 40 to 49
  • 75 or older
• Mammography


  Screening is done by mammography, an X-ray of the breasts
• Mammogram


  An X-ray picture on which tumours as small as about 1 cm in diameter can be detected
• Digital mammography


  Uses a computer instead of X-ray film to record the images of the breast
• Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer)


  Malignant tumour that develops in the large intestine, the colon or the rectum
• Bowel cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed early
• Fewer than 40% of bowel cancers are detected in the early stages
• Australians between 50 and 74 years of age are invited to take part in a bowel cancer screening program
• Faecal occult blood test (FOBT)

  1. Sent every two years

  2. Done at home

  3. Mailed to a laboratory for analysis
• Blood in the faeces


  Can come from polyps or from bowel cancer
• Polyps


  Small growths inside the colon or rectum
• Most bowel cancers develop from polyps, although not all polyps become cancerous
• Removal of polyps reduces the risk of bowel cancer
• If the FOBT test is positive


  Patients are usually referred for a colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy


  A visual examination of the inside of the large intestine using an instrument called a colonoscope
• Prostate cancer


  Cancer in the man's prostate, a small walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid
• There is no screening program in Australia for prostate cancer
• Many prostate cancers grow very slowly and do not require any treatment
• Other forms of prostate cancer are life-threatening because they grow and spread rapidly
• There is no test that distinguishes between aggressive and non-aggressive prostate cancers
• Aggressive prostate cancer


  Can be cured if diagnosed while it is still confined to the prostate gland
• Diagnostic methods for prostate cancer

  • Digital rectal examination (DRE)
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
  • Biopsy
• Digital rectal examination (DRE)

  1. Doctor inserts a gloved finger into the anus

  2. Feels part of the surface of the prostate gland

  3. Checks for swelling, hardening or irregularities
• PSA test


  1. Checks the blood for the presence of a particular protein

  2. Indicates the presence of a prostate tumour if rising
• Biopsy


  1. Small sample of tissue taken

  2. Checked for cancer cells

  3. Procedure often done under general anaesthetic
• Tissue samples can be examined to determine the presence of tumour cells
• If tumour cells are present, a decision can then be made about treatment