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Can I lower my risk of getting second cancer?

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Female Surgeon UAE
Can I lower my risk of getting second cancer?

Introduction


A cancer diagnosis is never easy to hear. But for some people, the news that they have

cancer for a second time can be especially devastating. While it’s not possible to completely

eliminate the risk of cancer, there are some things you can do to lower your chances of

getting cancer again.


There are many types of cancer, and each type has different causes and treatment options.

Unfortunately, sometimes someone who was successfully treated for cancer ends up getting

another cancer down the road, which is called secondary cancer or second primary cancer.

However, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of developing second cancer

after your first one is treated and managed. Read on to learn more about second cancers,

including why they occur and how you can help prevent them from happening to you.

Are there risks I can reduce now?


Yes, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing second cancer.

First, avoid tobacco products. If you currently smoke, quitting is the single best thing you can

do for your health. Second, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. Third, get

regular exercise. Fourth, limit your alcohol consumption. Fifth, avoid exposure to known or

suspected carcinogens. Sixth, get regular cancer screenings. And seventh, participate in

clinical trials when possible.


Is it possible to lower the chances of breast cancer coming back to my bones, liver, lungs or

brain?


While no one can completely eliminate their risk of developing cancer, there are some things

you can do to lower your risk. For example, if you’re a smoker, quitting smoking is one of the

best things you can do for your health. Other lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet,

maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can also help reduce your risk.

Additionally, there are some medical interventions that can help lower the chances of breast

cancer returning in other parts of the body, such as taking certain medications or undergoing

radiation therapy. Talk to your doctor about what steps you can take to lower your risk of

developing second cancer.


What are the main ways to reduce the chance of breast cancer returning in different parts of

the body?


There are a few main ways to reduce the chance of breast cancer returning in different parts

of the body. These include:


1) Following a healthy lifestyle- this means maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced

diet, and exercising regularly.

2) Taking certain medications- such as Tamoxifen or Raloxifene- which can help to block

estrogen from binding to receptors in breast tissue.

3) Undergoing radiation therapy- this treatment can kill any remaining cancer cells and help

to prevent cancer from coming back.


4) Having surgery- such as a mastectomy or lumpectomy- which can remove all or part of

the breast tissue that may contain cancer cells.


How much difference does it make if I take tamoxifen beyond 5 years?


There are no guarantees in life, but there are things you can do to stack the odds in your

favour. One important thing you can do is take the breast cancer drug tamoxifen for longer

than the standard five years. A large clinical trial called the Atlas study found that women

who took tamoxifen for 10 years instead of five had a 34% lower risk of their breast cancer

coming back and a 26% lower risk of dying from any cause.

What are the long-term effects on women who have been treated for breast cancer with

these drugs (anti-oestrogens)?


While it is not yet known definitively, it is thought that long-term use of anti-oestrogen drugs

may help to lower the risk of developing second breast cancer. These drugs work by

blocking the effects of oestrogen in the body, and oestrogen has been linked to the

development and growth of breast cancer cells. Additionally, some studies have shown that

anti-oestrogen drugs may also help to improve survival rates for women with breast cancer.

While more research is needed in this area, it is thought that long-term use of these drugs

may help to reduce the risk of developing second breast cancer.


What about Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)?


AIs are a newer type of hormone therapy approved to treat postmenopausal women with

hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. They work by lowering the amount of estrogen in

the body. AIs may also be used to lower the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence)

after surgery. Some studies have found that AIs may also help prevent new breast cancers

from developing in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for the disease.

How likely is it that these treatments will improve your life expectancy after breast cancer

treatment?


The odds are usually very good that these treatments will improve your life expectancy after

breast cancer treatment. In fact, most women who have had breast cancer treatment live for

many years afterwards. However, it’s important to remember that no one can predict the

future, and each person’s situation is unique. Some women may be at higher risk for second

cancer, depending on the type of breast cancer they had originally and the treatments they

received. But there are things you can do to lower your risk. First, stay close to your doctor

and get regular checkups. Second, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Third, don’t

smoke. Fourth, limit your alcohol intake. Fifth, avoid exposure to environmental toxins.

Do current anti-cancer treatments increase a woman’s chance of getting another type of

cancer, such as leukaemia or ovarian/endometrial cancers and liver disease later in life?

There is no single answer to this question as each person’s situation is unique. However,

there are some general things that can be done to lower the risk of developing second

cancer. First, it is important to follow all recommended screenings and treatments for first

cancer. This will help ensure that the cancer is detected early and treated before it has a

chance to spread. Additionally, living a healthy lifestyle—with a balanced diet and regular

exercise—can help lower the overall risk of developing cancer again. Finally, it is important

to stay informed and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your

individual risk factors.


Which birth control methods are safe for women who have had anti-oestrogen treatment for

breast cancer and which aren't safe during this time period.

While there are many different types of birth control available, not all of them are safe for

women who have had anti-oestrogen treatment for breast cancer. The following methods are

safe during this time period: condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and intrauterine devices

(IUDs). The following methods are not safe during this time period: the pill, patch, ring, and

injectables. If you are unsure about which method is right for you, please speak to your

doctor.


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