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Frequently Asked Questions:
I have known people with "good" lifestyles who get cancer. Why does this happen?
It is not uncommon to see people with good lifestyles (without any predisposing factors) getting cancers.Honestly, we are still in the process of finding out the causes of cancer. Probably, it may not be one factor, but a multitude of factors involved in the causation of cancer.It is now known that genes may hold the key to the development of cancers as genes control the immunity of patients. Two gene “products”, Natural Killer (NK) cells and Natural Killer T cells (NKT) are known to be able to control the development of cancer. In some families, these genes may be altered – what we call a mutated gene. Mutated genes loose the ability to repair abnormal cells and hence the uncontrolled proliferation of cells takes place, and this eventually results in cancer.Good nutrition and lifestyle have been known to reverse the process and thereby prevent cancer development. This naturally available defense mechanism in the human body is weak and will not work when cancer cell numbers are large. However, when the load (of cancer cells) is small, it can make a sizable contribution in killing these few cancer cells, which results in a patient being cancer-free. Apart from the genetic control of cancer, the other predisposing factors are: age – the longer one lives, the higher the chance of getting cancer; poor nutrition; smoking; and excessive drinking. These are known to lower the body’s immune defense mechanism and hence increase the chances of cancer occuring.In those who have both genetic mutations and poor lifestyles, the incidence of cancer would be higher.
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Is cancer contagious?
The simple answer is no. You cannot 'catch' cancer from a patient by touching him or by sharing his utensils and personal effects. Cancer is not spread by air, water, injections and other vectors. Certain cancers are linked to viruses, such as the Human Papilloma Virus and cancer of the cervix, and Hepatitis B and C and cancer of the liver. Immunisation plays an important role in the prevention of liver cancer and clinical trials are on the way for the former (cervix). That certain cancers are causally linked to viral infection does not at all make cancer patients infectious. Cancer patients need all the care and compassion they can get. They should not be shunned. On the contrary, a hug and a kiss will go a long way to alleviate their suffering.
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Isn't cancer a very painful disease?
Cancer can be very painful, especially if cancer tissues directly infiltrate bones and nerves. However, this is not inevitable. More important is knowing that pain management has come a long way. Most pain can be controlled by following an algorithm (a logical stepwise sequence to achieve a goal) recommended by the World Health Organisation. Many new analgesic preparations and adjunctive drugs (or drugs used in parallel) are available. Pain is much less of a problem today.
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Is cancer inherited?
Only about 10 per cent of cancers can be inherited. Even if you are unfortunate enough to have parents afflicted with this subset of cancer, you may still not get cancer. Remember, you inherit the risk, not the cancer. What you really need is counseling and preventive measures.
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I am under remission from cancer. Please advise what food I should consume / avoid?
No special diet is required. Just take a proportional and healthy diet that is adequate.
You may seek further advice in the HOPE Handbook recently published by MOS and Pfizer Malaysia. You can obtain a copy of the HOPE Handbook at the Radiotherapy and Oncology centres and NGOs listed in the Handbook. The list is available in MOS website. You can also read the online version of the HOPE Handbook in MOS website by clicking on the HOPE Handbook banner on the front page.
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My mother has had breast cancer for more than a year. The cancer has spread to the bones, is it serious?
You will need to discuss this matter with an oncologist. Your mother will require to undergo some tests called staging investigations to see whether the cancer has spread to any other part of the body. Depending on the results of these tests, her symptoms and the type of breast cancer that your mother has, the oncologist can then decide on the best option of treatments for her. This of course a serious matter, but it is still a treatable condition. Please bring your mother to see an oncologist as soon as you can.
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I am looking for a specialist in Oncology, can you recommend someone?
We cannot recommend specific names of doctors or centres, as we have to remain impartial. Please see the list of cancer specialist centres in our website, www.malaysiaoncology.org and contact the centre that is most convenient for you.
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