KUCHING: The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment and survival.

Dr Lau Lee Gong from Normah Medical Specialists Centre, who gave a talk on ‘What is cancer and how does it come about’ at Crown Square here yesterday, said it was important for the people to go for regular check-up to detect any sign of cancer.

He added that having a general knowledge about symptoms of cancer might also help when seeking medical advice.

Dr Lau said cancer was a general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control.

He said untreated cancers could cause serious illnesses and even death.

“Cancers can begin in many different parts of the body. But, different types of cancer can act very differently,” he stressed.

For example, he said lung cancer and breast cancer were very different diseases, adding that they grew at different rates and respond to different treatments.

Most common cancers, he said, included breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.

“As cancer cells keep growing and dividing, they are different from normal cells. Instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to grow and make new abnormal cells.

“Cancer usually forms as a tumor (a lump or mass.) Some cancers, like leukaemia do not form tumors. Instead, these cancer cells involve the blood and blood-forming organs, and circulate through other tissues where they grow,” he added.

However, he said, not all tumors were cancerous.

Dr Lau explained that symptoms of cancer included persistent fatigue which was one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptoms. He said it was usually more common when the cancer was at an advanced stage.

“Reported breast cancer symptoms include discharge from the nipple (clear or bloody), persistent tenderness of the breast, pain in the nipple, swelling or mass in the armpit, inverted or scaly nipples, a lump that can be felt, no matter how small, and swelling of the breast.

“Women should be aware of these signs and they should do self examination at all times. Sometimes there are no symptoms in breast cancer when it is in the early stage.

“If you notice a lump or are experiencing anything unusual, you must report the symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible,” he said.

He said performing a monthly self breast examination was one of the best ways to notice any change in the breasts.

“Only you know more about yourself than anyone else,” he said.

More than 150 people attended the talk which was jointly organised by NormahMedical Specialists Centre, National Cancer Society, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society and Sarawak Breast Cancer Society.