The term ‘cancer survivor’ commonly refers to a person that has been diagnosed with cancer at any stage during their lifetime and includes those who are undergoing treatment and those that have recovered from the disease.
The advice contained in this book is for cancer survivors who have been advised by their medical team to follow a healthy eating diet.
This book is also suitable for survivors who have finished their medical treatment and have been told they are in remission (given the ‘all clear’) from their disease, or those who have recovered from the disease.
There is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, most women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (Stage 3 or 4).
This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer (particularly in the early stages) often are not acute or intense, and present vaguely. In most cases, ovarian cancer is not detected during routine pelvic exams, unless the doctor notes that the ovary is enlarged.
The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better a woman’s chance for recovery. It is important to know that early-stage symptoms are not silent – so women should be extra alert and watch out for early symptoms.
You’ve had a colonoscopy and now you start reading the report and grow a little worried seeing the word “polyps” in the text. Does that mean you definitely have colorectal cancer?
For starters, no. The vast majority of colorectal polyps are harmless growths that sprout on the lining of your colon or rectum. They’re pretty common, especially in adults age 45 or older.
But that doesn’t mean polyps should be ignored, says colorectal surgeon Rebecca Gunter, MD. Colorectal cancer begins in polyps, after all. Finding and removing those polyps decreases your risk of developing the disease.
So, what’s the difference among polyps, and are some more worrisome than others? Dr. Gunter explains.
Colon polyp size
The smaller the polyp, the less likely it is to be on the road to cancer, says Dr. Gunter. Polyps can range in size from the less-than-5-millimeter “diminutive” category to the over-30-millimeter “giants.”
Why the size matters
To put those sizes in perspective, a diminutive polyp is about the size of a match head. Larger polyps can be almost as big as the average person’s thumb.
Studies show that few smaller polyps are cancerous. As polyps slowly grow, however, the cancer risk rises. It’s estimated that it takes about 10 years for cancer to form into a colorectal polyp.
Colon polyp shape
Polyps come in three basic shapes, says Dr. Gunter. They are:
Sessile polyps are dome-shaped and grow flat on your colon wall. About 85% of polyps are in this group. Sessile polyps can be snared and removed somewhat easily in a colonoscopy, though larger ones are typically taken out in pieces.
Pedunculated polyps hang from a stalk attached to your colon wall. (Think of a cherry on a stem.) They’re easy to spot and can usually be removed in one piece during a colonoscopy. Cancer can develop on the head of pedunculated polyps.
Flat polyps are the least common polyps, making up about 2% of discovered lesions. They’re the most challenging to remove and sometimes difficult to locate.
Colon polyp growth patterns
Doctors examine removed polyps under a microscope for a close-up look at their cells. The review is to determine levels of dysplasia, a term used to describe how cancerous polyps appear on a cellular level.
Polyps with signs of high-grade dysplasia have disorganized cells with a larger, darker center. These dysplastic cells often grow wildly, a sign that cancer may have been close to forming in the polyp.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a follow-up colonoscopy sooner than normal if they find polyps with high-grade dysplasia. “It’s a finding that warrants increased attention,” notes Dr. Gunter.
Polyps with cells that look only mildly abnormal are labeled as having low-grade dysplasia and are of less concern.
What is an adenoma?
Adenomas are polyps made from tissue that looks like the usual lining of your colon but isn’t. There are three kinds of adenomas, which doctors can determine by looking under a microscope. The types are:
Tubular. These adenomas look like tiny tubes jammed into your colon lining. They’re typically smaller in size and less worrisome.
Villous. This type of adenoma sprawls out like the fronds of a fern, a sign of faster and more chaotic growth. Villous adenomas are usually larger and more likely to be cancerous.
Tubulovillous. This type is a mixture of tubular and villous adenomas, with characteristics of each.
How are serrated polyps different?
Serrated polyps look like saw teeth under the microscope. They’re subtle, pale and without much form, making them easier to overlook during a colonoscopy. About 25% of colon cancers come from serrated polyps.
Should polyps be removed?
The answer is simple: Yes.
Though not all polyps turn into cancer, all colorectal cancers start as polyps. Removal eliminates the threat posed by a polyp. Keeping up with your colonoscopies allows your doctors to do just that.
Colonoscopies are recommended for everyone starting at age 45, or earlier if you have higher risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer. (Stool tests also are an option to screen for colon cancer, but colonoscopies remain the recommended method.)
“The reality is that colon polyps are fairly common,” says Dr. Gunter. “The good news is that removing them decreases your risk of colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is a safe and effective procedure that could be life-saving. Don’t delay getting it done.”
LYNKED IN is a free annual, one-day educational conference for individuals with Lynch syndrome, their families, and caregivers, hosted by the Lynch Syndrome Center within the Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
This conference provides attendees with updates on guidelines for screening and prevention, strategies for communicating with your family, and advances in the treatment of Lynch syndrome. The goal is to connect and empower Lynch syndrome families.
This programme is part of the Irish Cancer Society’s Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the aim of which is to improve health and wellbeing for women impacted by cancer who are dealing with the side effects and consequences of treatment.
Phases of thisisGO
Phase 1 was launched on September 20th 2021. It is a personalised online resource for women impacted by cervical cancer. If you have a partner in your life, this platform can also support them. If you are a health care provider working in the area this can also support you and your practice.
If you are newly diagnosed, receiving treatment, in surveillance or living well with and beyond cancer thisisGO.ie has information that is tailored to meet your needs.
Phase 2 covered ovarian cancer and was launched on the 4th of February 2022
Next Phase due shortly will cover Genetic Cancers including BRCA and Lynch Syndrome
It is hoped that the remaining three gynaecological cancer and GO cancer genetics will be complete before the end of 2022.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms in the chart below for more than two weeks, please make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss further.
You may feel embarrassed discussing some of these symptoms, this is normal, your doctor is here to help, and it may save your life.
Dr Doireann O’Leary (@WorldOvarianCancerDay @RTEToday) talks about the importance of being symptom aware and shares the meaning of BEAT.
She also talks about the importance of ‘the big T’, ie getting Treatment early. If someone has these symptoms it likely is something less serious than Ovarian Cancer but the most important thing is not to brush it off, do go to your GP and get checked and try to get in to the habit of doing that. Building this habit greatly increases the chances of early diagnosis.
