Cancer is the second most frequent cause of disease in adults, second only to cardio-vascular diseases. Therefore, it is vital to be interested in measures to prevent cancer (primary prevention) and in measures to detect the early stages of cancer (secondary prevention). This is especially true in connection with the most common cancers.

The most common cancers in men are: cancer of the lungs, skin, large intestine and rectum, and prostate. In women: cancer of the breasts, skin, large intestine and rectum, and genital organs.

Oncology is a special branch of internal medicine dealing with cancer. The cause of cancer is not clear. However, we know about many factors that can initiate cancer. Reducing them may decrease the probability of getting cancer. The reduction of these factors is in our hands!
Over the last few years there has been such progress in oncology that now we can treat and cure some kinds of cancer, depending on the histological type, the extend of organ involvement, the condition of the patient and early detection and treatment.

Recommendation for Primary prevention of oncological diseases:

• Not smoking and avoiding smoking areas/passive smoking.
• Healthy life style: stable weight, low fat food, sufficient fruits, vegetables and liquids, reduced intake of sugar and alcohol.
• Physical exercise - at least 20 minutes a day.
• Avoid excessive sun tanning. Use protective creams.
• Safe sex
• Spiritual balance.
• Contact the physician when suspicious symptoms arise.  Recommended Regular preventive examination (check-up) for women in their forties.
• Annual gynecological examination. Cytological smear at least once every two years.
• Annual breast examination by a specialized gynecologist or oncologist.
• Test for occult bleeding in stools once every two years.
• Annual per rectum - digital examination.
• Annual preventive dental examination.
• In addition, for women above fifty:
• Mammography x-ray scan of breasts once every two years
• Colonoscopic examination of large intestine and rectum
• Regular medical preventive examination (check-up)
• For men in their forties:
• Test for occult bleeding in stools once every one to two years
• Annual per rectum - digital examination of prostate
• Colonoscopic examination of large intestine and rectum at the age of 50
• Ultrasound of prostate and kidneys, blood test (PSA tumor marker) for screening prostate cancer at the age of 50

These are general recommendations only. Based on specific risk factors such as family history, a different approach may be indicated for individual patients. Please consult your physician. Prevention is twice as good as cure! All the above examinations are available at Unicare Medical Center.