Published on: Sunday, April 09, 2006 |
Kota Kinabalu: Children are not prone to gastrointestinal cancers but with an uninhibited diet and lifestyle, coupled with a genetic history, they may have it at as young as 19.
This is the reality despite the common assumption that such health risk refers only to people aged 50 and above.
Dr Eric C. H. Teh, a surgeon at Raffles Hospital Singapore, said this during a "Q & A" session after his presentation at a health seminar here Saturday.
A participant had asked whether children are also at risk, particularly those who preferred fast food to fruits and vegetables.
To another question on whether detoxification programmes, which are being freely promoted including the setting up of water remedies at public places, he noted that there were numerous in the market.
"I don't believe in it. All are fads and not proven in rigorous scientific studies. But as long as the programme doesn't hurt you, if it makes you feel better, go ahead. But be careful of side-effects," he cautioned.
On whether surgery could cause the cancer to spread, he assured it would not. "The surgery we do is very delicate. Before even touching, we isolate the blood supply. We remove the surrounding blood vessels and lymphatic supply to the area."
Dr Teh, who talked on "Gastrointestinal Tumour: Early Detection and Treatment" at Beverly Hotel, during the seminar jointly organised by the National Association of Malaysian Life Insurance and Financial Advisors and Raffles Hospital, also said that stomach cancer is related rather to consumption of too much salt and preservative.
A participant referring to his statement of high incidence among Singapore Chinese and Japanese had asked whether the contributing factor was the former's penchant for "animal entrails" and latter's for sushi.
However, he added, the incidence has actually declined compared to the time before refrigeration was introduced and the elders relied heavily on salt to preserve food.
Q: (1) Can a cancer patient take yogurt? (2) If a person has too much gas in the stomach what's the problem?
A: (1) Yes. (2) A lot of people suffer from gas problem resulting in bloating and flatulence. The sources - gas entering the stomach through swallowing, which is difficult to control; gas produced by bacteria that works on the food we eat - these foods include cabbage, broccoli, bananas and onions. Another problem, as we grow older we cannot tolerate milk, eventually resulting in lactase deficiency.
Q: Helicobacter Pylori infection can cause stomach cancer. At what level would it be dangerous?
A: The risk is not that high. H Pylori infection can be treated with a one-week combination course of antibiotics.
Q: What is the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer?
A: It is not common but deadly, occurring deep in the organ without symptoms. Out of 100 cases diagnosed, 90 per cent are fatal.
In Singapore we managed to detect 30 per cent operable status. For the rest, it's just chemotherapy to retard its development. But there's no cure. It is not a common cancer but in the United States the figure is climbing.
Q: We have to watch our diet because of the risk of cancer. We take less meat and more vegetables and fruits. Eating chicken has now become a health risk for us. We also know our vegetables and fruits have insecticide. I started taking "Omega 3 fish oil", which is supposed to be good for skin care, stomach etcncidentally as I was buying some Omega 3 fish oil, a doctor I happened to be acquainted with, and saw me making the purchase said into my ear, "Don't take too much?it has a lot of mercury."
A: One third of cancer is caused by the environment and diet-related. The other 70 per cent are in your genes. You can live like a monk but you can still get colon cancer. Don't go overboard. Of course, you need regular health checks. But enjoy life and don't fear too much.
Q: Is haemorrhoids (piles) a type of internal tumour? Can it lead to cancer?
A: It is not. And it will not lead to cancer, although the presenting symptoms like bleeding are there. Piles can be cured with surgery. Unlike in the past when it took about three weeks for the patient to recover, the operation has now been made simpler - 'cut and staple', internally. There's no more outer wound.
Q: How about stomach transplant?
A: It is not practised anywhere in the world. In the case of removal of the entire stomach, the small intestine is used to make a pouch.
