Page 63 - ICE BUSINESS TIMES February 2020

Are there any preventive and early detection measures
that can be taken?
In mammograms, we recommend women aged within 40-60
years to get yearly mammogram checks. For women above 60,
we recommend two yearly mammograms and ultrasounds. For
cervical cancers, we recommend to undergo screening every
year or every alternate year. For young women to prevent
cervical cancer, is to go for HPV vaccination to prevent the
development of HPV infections and for breast cancer, a plant
based low-fat diet with moderate exercise is the best means of
prevention.

Are there any advances in chemo and radiotherapy for
these gynaecologic cancer treatments?
Absolutely yes. We now know that womb cancer can benefit
from chemotherapy. We’ve also found immunotherapy to help
about 20% of the patients with womb cancer; to benefit from it,
especially if there are instances of gene mutation. The
procedure we use in Singapore is IMRG therapy, which can
prevent the radiotherapy from harping the organs that are
Are there different types of breast behind and around the cervix; the rectum and intestines.
cancer? Recent advancements have permitted women to be cured of
Mainly, four different types of breast gynaecological cancers without side effects.
cancer. We call them scientifically as:
ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive Is there a lot of side effects in chemo
ductal carcinoma, inflammatory breast and can these be managed?
What are the common female cancer, and metastatic breast cancer. Yes, the side effects are definitely present
In Bangladesh, we have been seeing a
cancers in Bangladesh you lot of triple negative breast cancer due What are the treatment options for breast cancer? Is it and prevalent. However, with chemotherapy
we have much better supportive medications
usually get? What are the initial to inflammation from obesity. necessary to do mastectomy for breast cancer? to reduce nausea and vomiting; the chemo
symptoms of breast cancer? For patients who have a diagnosis of breast cancer, the earlier hasn’t changed but the supporting medicines
In Bangladesh, in the last 15 years, Does a family history of breast the detection, the more options we have. If we discover a have come a long way. In addition to that,
the common cancers in Bangladeshi cancer put someone at a higher larger than normal tumour, unfortunately, a mastectomy has we have newer chemotherapy methods that
women have changed. It used to be risk? What is your opinion as to to be done; unless they agree to undergo chemotherapy before are associated with fewer side effects,
cervical cancer at the top, now the surgery is done. On the other hand, if a patient is however, the traditional ones which are
breast cancer has taken over that genetic link to breast cancer? discovered with a small tumour, then a small surgery is more available in Dhaka and Singapore are the
spot and cervical cancer has If there is a family history of breast than enough to cure the cancer growth. Thereafter, it depends better ones in terms of cure.
dropped down to third place. cancer, the children are at 20% risk of on the type of breast cancer. For aggressive breast cancers,
Now for breast cancers, the initial developing it. What we are more they must undergo chemotherapy to reduce the risks. For Is there a link between gynaecologic
symptom is that of a breast lump, worried about is genetic mutation slow growth cancer, oral medications or anti-cancer hormones and breast cancer?
nipple discharge, unusual feelings causing breast cancer; it occurs only in will be more than enough.
of pain in the breast as well as back 5% of the cases. It usually stems from The only link is that they have a genetic
pain - depending on how advanced diet and lifestyle practices. What are the common gynaecological cancers? And mutation involved in both ovarian and
it is. For cervical cancer, the what are the symptoms of Gynaecologic cancer? breast cancer.
symptoms are vaginal bleeding, Can risk of breast cancer be As I mentioned before, in Dhaka the third most common
menopausal bleeding, so on and so reduced? Is there a link between Does Parkway Cancer Centre provide
forth. hormone replacement therapy cancer is cervical cancer. So, this is the commonest the Multidisciplinary care to cancer
Gynaecological cancer in Bangladesh. The symptoms would
(HRT) and breast cancer? be vaginal bleeding, post-menopausal bleeding, patients? What are the holistic care
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) intra-menstrual bleeding and lower back pain. It is important approaches from your centre for cancer
does not have a very significant link to to stress that both these cancers; breast and cervical cancers patients?
breast cancer. I don’t think in Dhaka really is best diagnosed when there are no symptoms. Thus, Multi-disciplinary care is the only thing we
many women undergo HRT, but this is the time where we can advocate for our patients in terms of cancer
increases in hormones, what we call screen and find cancers before care. I always have to work with my
intrinsic hormones in our own body, they develop into the advanced surgeons, my oncologists and the people in
can result in increased risks of breast stages. charge of the radiotherapy. Which order of
cancers. Rise of intrinsic hormone treatment comes first, chemotherapy,
levels usually stems from obesity and Is Gynaecologic cancer Ovarian cancer surgery or radiotherapy? In order to
high fat/meat intake by women. in the family maximise the outcome and minimise the
In order to reduce the risk of breast linked to family history? increases the risks to our patients.
cancer, women especially in their What are the treatment
post-menopausal stage, should adhere options for gynaecologic chances of How do patients in Bangladesh contact
to maintaining a stable weight level. cancer? female children you if they need help?
Exercising at least 150 minutes per Ovarian cancer in the family in the family to They can very easily contact us through the
week and maintaining a planned increases the chances of female services provided by Parkway Hospitals
low-fat diet are imperative to reduce children in the family to develop cancer Singapore pte limited, through their office in
breast cancer development. develop cancer by 8 times. by 8 times. Dhaka.

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