Monash Women's Health Alliance’s Post

Thrilled to be featured on 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐠 in their article "𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭" Stomach cancer treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the cancer's stage and location. Surgical options may include partial or total gastrectomy, where part or all of the stomach is removed. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 uses drugs to target and kill cancer cells, and may be administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumor or after surgery (adjuvant) to eliminate remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and may be used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are emerging treatments that focus on specific genetic mutations or enhance the body's immune response to cancer. Early detection and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for effective management and improved outcomes. The stomach cancer treatment market is expanding due to rising incidence rates and advancements in medical technology. As per the 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, The 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 was valued at around 𝐔𝐒𝐃 𝟒.𝟐𝟐 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 and is estimated to reach 𝐔𝐒𝐃 𝟏𝟏.𝟗𝟔 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟏, expanding at a 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐑 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟑.𝟏% during the forecast period, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟏 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭: https://lnkd.in/dknQmpf3 #stomachcancer #cancer #stomachcancertreatment #technology #medical #data #analysis #research #reports #growthmarketreports

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month I normally don’t share non-work related content on this platform, but as I sit here healing from my surgery last week, it really makes me want to shout it from the roof tops that the screening age for colon cancer should be lowered. It took over two years of symptoms and pain for doctors to finally give me a colonoscopy. Through this whole process “you’re too young” as been repeated so many times I’ve lost count. Clearly, I’m not “too young.” If you have change in bowel movements, abdominal pain, blood in stool, fatigue please request a colonoscopy. My cancer never showed on CT or ultrasounds even though it 5.5cm nearly blocking my colon opening. Colon cancer, if caught early, is treatable. 45 is not suitable for a screening age based on recent trends. Colon cancer doesn’t discriminate based on age!!!! As I prepare for Oncology/chemo, I want people to feel comfortable to ask questions, and seek out resources as colon cancer is on the rise in people under 40. Listen to your body and be your own adovacate. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_WAfdn2.

TREATMENT THURSDAY 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 If you’re diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you’ll be assigned a care team, who will devise a treatment plan for you. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the type and grade of your cancer, and whether your care team thinks that a complete cure is realistically achievable. 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 All NHS hospitals have multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) that treat thyroid cancer. An MDT is made up of a number of different specialists, and may include: - a surgeon - an endocrinologist (a specialist in treating hormonal conditions) - an oncologist (a cancer treatment specialist) - a pathologist (a specialist in diseased tissue) - a radiotherapist or clinical oncologist (a specialist in non-surgical methods of treating cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) - a specialist cancer nurse, who will usually be your first point of contact with the rest of the team Deciding on the best course of treatment can be difficult. Your cancer team will make recommendations after reviewing your case, but the final decision will be yours. Before you go to hospital to discuss your treatment options, you may want to write a list of questions to ask the specialist. For example, you may want to find out what the advantages and disadvantages of particular treatments are. 𝗧𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆 In almost all cases of thyroid cancer it’s necessary to either remove some of your thyroid gland in a procedure called a hemithyroidectomy, or all of your thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy). This decision will be influenced by: - the type of thyroid cancer you have - the size of the tumour - whether or not the cancer has spread beyond your thyroid gland Your surgeon should discuss with you the type of surgery required and why so you can make an informed decision. A thyroidectomy is carried out under a general anaesthetic and usually takes around 2 hours. The operation will leave a small scar on your neck, which shouldn’t be very noticeable. In a small number of cases, it may cause permanent hoarseness. #treatmentthursday #education #medicalconditions

#HerBreastCareInsights - Post 29 Balancing Risks and Decisions: Breast-Conservation Therapy in Women with Pathogenic BRCA1/2 Mutations Most breast cancer cases occur without a family history (spontaneous breast cancer). However, 8-15% are linked to family history or inherited mutations in cancer-promoting genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which increase cancer risk. Those with these mutations face tough treatment decisions, such as breast-conservation therapy (BCT) or bilateral mastectomy. Tracking patients who choose BCT is important for understanding the risk of recurrence over time, helping healthcare providers and patients consider the risks and benefits of different treatment options. A recent *study followed 172 women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants who underwent breast-conservation therapy (BCT). The average age of the participants was 47.1 years, with 53.5% carrying BRCA1 mutations and 46.5% carrying BRCA2 mutations. Of the 172 women, 24.4% were diagnosed before age 40. The research team assessed overall survival, the risk of cancer recurrence in the same breast (ipsilateral) or the opposite breast (contralateral), and survival without opting for a bilateral mastectomy over a median follow-up period of about 12 years, with a range of 5.7-18.2-yr. *Examples of key observations are: ·      Women with BRCA1 variants were younger at diagnosis, hormone receptor-negative, and compared to those with BRCA2 variants. ·      The 10-year overall survival rate was 88.5%. ·      The risk of recurrence in the same breast was 12.2%, while the risk of developing cancer in the opposite breast was 21.3%. ·      The 10-year bilateral mastectomy-free survival rate was 70.7%. These observations suggest that while BRCA carriers treated with BCT do face risks of cancer recurrence, the majority remain free of additional cancer events and without a bilateral mastectomy. This information can assist BRCA variant carriers, and their doctors make more informed decisions about breast conservation surgery. *For complete study features and results, read: Wanis KN et al. Clinical Outcomes for BRCA Pathogenic Variant Carriers with Breast Cancer Undergoing Breast Conservation. JAMA Network Open 7(6):e2418486, 2024.

TREATMENT THURSDAY 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 If you’re diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you’ll be assigned a care team, who will devise a treatment plan for you. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the type and grade of your cancer, and whether your care team thinks that a complete cure is realistically achievable. 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 All NHS hospitals have multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) that treat thyroid cancer. An MDT is made up of a number of different specialists, and may include: - a surgeon - an endocrinologist (a specialist in treating hormonal conditions) - an oncologist (a cancer treatment specialist) - a pathologist (a specialist in diseased tissue) - a radiotherapist or clinical oncologist (a specialist in non-surgical methods of treating cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) - a specialist cancer nurse, who will usually be your first point of contact with the rest of the team Deciding on the best course of treatment can be difficult. Your cancer team will make recommendations after reviewing your case, but the final decision will be yours. Before you go to hospital to discuss your treatment options, you may want to write a list of questions to ask the specialist. For example, you may want to find out what the advantages and disadvantages of particular treatments are. 𝗧𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆 In almost all cases of thyroid cancer it’s necessary to either remove some of your thyroid gland in a procedure called a hemithyroidectomy, or all of your thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy). This decision will be influenced by: - the type of thyroid cancer you have - the size of the tumour - whether or not the cancer has spread beyond your thyroid gland Your surgeon should discuss with you the type of surgery required and why so you can make an informed decision. A thyroidectomy is carried out under a general anaesthetic and usually takes around 2 hours. The operation will leave a small scar on your neck, which shouldn’t be very noticeable. In a small number of cases, it may cause permanent hoarseness. #treatmentthursday #education #medicalconditions

𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. By the time symptoms like persistent coughing or coughing up blood appear, the cancer may already be quite advanced. At this point, a low-dose CT test is typically performed. However, this test often yields inconclusive results, leading to two possible paths: an invasive biopsy or ongoing monitoring with repeat CT scans every three months. While necessary, biopsies carry significant risks and complications, and repeated CT scans expose patients to radiation, which understandably raises concerns. This is where a complementary molecular test can play a crucial role. Physicians and radiologists are seeking an additional, non-invasive test that can confirm or rule out the presence of cancer when CT results are ambiguous. This molecular solution would not replace the CT test but enhance its diagnostic accuracy, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary biopsies and excessive radiation exposure. Our aim is to provide a molecular companion diagnostic test that supports the findings of a CT scan. This dual approach could greatly improve diagnostic precision and patient outcomes, making it easier to determine whether a detected abnormality is cancerous. In addition to diagnostics, such a test would be invaluable for monitoring patients who have undergone surgery to remove a lung tumor. Regular testing could ensure the cancer has not returned or spread to other areas, providing peace of mind and early intervention if needed. Furthermore, for patients with stage 3 or 4 lung #cancer, where treatment options are limited and often more aggressive, the success rate is unfortunately lower compared to earlier stages. However, with better diagnostic tools and ongoing monitoring, we can potentially improve early detection and intervention, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and patient survival rates.

Can all of these cancers be treated effectively? The treatment options for bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer depend on several factors, such as the type, stage, and grade of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and their preferences. Some of the common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapyAd1. These treatments aim to remove or destroy the cancer cells, prevent them from spreading, and reduce the symptoms and complications. However, not all cancers can be cured or controlled by these treatments, and some may recur or become resistant to therapy. The effectiveness of the treatment also varies depending on the individual response and the side effects. Therefore, it is important to consult with a specialist doctor who can recommend the best treatment plan based on the specific case and the latest evidence. You can also find more information about the treatment options for each type of cancer from the following sources: Bladder cancer - Treatment - NHS Urological cancers (bladder, kidney, prostate, testicular) | The Royal Marsden Urologic Cancers > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine Urological cancers | King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Treatment for bladder cancer | Cancer Research UK

Advancing Care in Gynecological Oncology: Early-Stage Vulvar Cancer 🔬 🩺 A comprehensive review by Priscila Grecca Pedrão, Yasmin Medeiros Guimarães, Luani Rezende Godoy, Júlio César Possati Resende, Adriane Cristina Bovo, Carlos Eduardo Mattos Cunha Andrade, Adhemar Longatto-Filho, Ricardo Dos Reis offers new insights into the management of early-stage vulvar cancer, a rare but significant gynecological malignancy. Key Points: Vulvar cancer, primarily squamous cell carcinoma, has two main clinicopathological subtypes, each with distinct etiologies and demographic profiles. The increasing incidence in younger women, typically associated with HPV infection, underscores the need for tailored treatment approaches. Standard treatment involves surgery, often complemented by radiotherapy, depending on the disease stage and histopathology. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has emerged as a crucial component of treatment, reducing complications and informing staging with minimal invasiveness. The review highlights the evolution from invasive surgery to conservative approaches, maintaining oncologic safety while reducing morbidity. Recurrence management and the importance of long-term follow-up are emphasized due to varying prognoses associated with local, groin-associated, or distant recurrences. 🌟 This article provides valuable guidance for healthcare professionals in managing vulvar cancer, focusing on reducing treatment morbidity while ensuring patient safety. 📈 Earn 1.0 CME Credit by engaging with this content. https://lnkd.in/dyWDMJTE #GynecologicalOncology #VulvarCancer #MedicalResearch #PatientCare #OncologyAdvances

May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in Canada. We met with Dr. Rahul Bansal, a urologic surgeon at St. Joe’s and an associate professor of urology at McMaster University, to discuss his work and help our followers to identify signs and symptoms. Here at St. Joe’s, we care for a large number of bladder cancer patients per year and provide a variety of treatments for patients in the early stages of the disease. Dr. Bansal is hopeful that new innovative treatment options like the clinical trial for high-grade, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, will help to prevent the recurrence of the disease in patients. An important part of care is knowing when to see your doctor. Dr. Bansal shares, “The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. It’s a really obvious sign that’s hard to ignore.” Blood in the urine can appear yellow-red, bright red or rusty-red, and can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms such as: A frequent or intense need to urinate; Difficulty urinating, or a painful or burning sensation when urinating; Back, pelvic and/or groin pain. But it’s important to remember that blood in the urine doesn’t always mean a cancer diagnosis. It can also be caused by kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder infections. 🩺Dr. Bansal’s Top Tip: Don’t wait for pain or let embarrassment stop you from calling your doctor. You can read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g7qad3qG

Navigating Breast Cancer Risk: ACR’s Latest Screening Recommendations 🔍 While the USPSTF (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) now recommends that women with an average risk start getting screened for breast cancer every other year from age 40, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has updated guidelines for women with higher-than-average risk. https://lnkd.in/giDpYPNX For most women at higher-than-average risk, the supplemental screening method of choice is breast MRI. Here are the specific recommendations: 🔍 Genetics-Based Risk: Women with* gene mutations in ATM, BRCA1, BARD1, CDH1, CHEK2, NF1, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, STK11, TP53 are considered to have at least a 20% lifetime risk for breast cancer. It is recommended that such mutation carriers have MRI surveillance starting at ages 25 to 30 and add annual mammography at age 40 (if MRI screenings are performed). If MRI is not performed, annual mammography should start at age 30. * Women with a first-degree relative who carries these genes should start the same screening even if they are untested for these gene mutations. For example, if your mother or sister is a carrier of any of these genes, you are at high risk for breast cancer! 🔍History of Chest/Abdominal Radiation Treatment at a Young Age: Women should start MRI surveillance at age 25 or 8 years after their radiation treatment, whichever is later. 🔍Personal History: Women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 40 should have annual mammography. Breast MRI should be considered annually from the age of diagnosis. Similarly, women with a personal history and dense breasts should have annual breast MRI. 🔍Other Risk Factors: Women with a history of atypia (atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)) need annual mammography and should consider MRI screening. 🔍Dense Breasts: For women with dense breasts, breast MRI is recommended. As many health insurance plans do not see dense breasts as a single factor for high-risk breast cancer, you can either find out if you may fit into any of the other risk factors and use those to get your MRI screening. If MRI is not an option, contrast-enhanced mammography or ultrasound can be considered. 🔍 All Women, Especially Black, Minority, and Those of Ashkenazi Jewish Descent: Risk assessment should start at age 25. Early detection is crucial in reducing breast cancer mortality. At age 25, find out if you are at higher risk and get the screening you need. 💪💖