AboutClaes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. Expertise I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.
Experience I'm a Doctor of Medicine. Licensed/certified physician and surgeon and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation therapy in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and the European Union. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. Now in private practice in Stockholm, Sweden.
Question QUESTION: Hi..i am a 24 year old asian. My mother had breast cancer
which later metastasized to different parts of her
body..she fought agianst cancer for 10 years..she died in
2005. same year my aunt( mum's younger sister) was diagoned
with breast cancer as well and she died after 4 months. My
dad's uncle died of prostrate cancer...so you see i have
family history of cancer...which i guess means that i have
high probability of getting it too...i wanted to know if
there is anything i can do to prevent it or
something....also i have heard that we can ourselves do the
breast check for lumps and stuff... if u can please tell me
how to do that..so that i can check regularly.. thank you.
ANSWER: If you are a female - which I assume you are - you can forget about prostate cancer. Females do not have prostates. However you do seem to have a strong family history of breast cancer which can not be neglected. The important thing here is that you have your breasts checked regularly. With this family history I suggest that these checks start not later than when you reach the age of 30 maybe earlier. You should do it once per year at least (if you notice anything yourself you should have it checked as soon as possible). These checks should include mammography, ultrasound AND MRI breast scans and biopsies whenever anything unclear is seen. You probably should avoid hormone treatments if possible. Breast cancer risks seem to decrease by early pregnancies and child births, many pregnancies and child births and breast feeding. Also by avoiding overweight. Apart from this I have no advice to give. Good luck!
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QUESTION: Thanks a lot for your quick response.. i am sorry for not
mentioning my sex in previous question..you are right i am
a female..i wanted to ask, with the history of breast
cancer in my family..does it mean that i only have high
chances of getting breast cancer or any other forms of
cancer as well??? and i seem to have a weak immune
system..does that increase the risk?? how can i strengthen
it?? I dont eat properly...since i'm a university student,
i tend to miss meals and I am almost always stressed.
Thank you.
Answer No it means that your breast cancer risk is increased (together with a somewhat increased risk for some gynecological cancers9, but mainly your breast cancer risk. Most other cancers are not influenced by this at all. There is no known connection between breast cancer and the status of your immune system (as it is with some lymphomas). There is not much you can do except trying to relax somewhat Studies are important but after all they are just studies. Life & health are more important! And EAT PROPERLY! You owe it to yourself!
