WHAT IS CANCER
Cancer is the generic name given to a cluster of related diseases. In a normal healthy body, human cells grow and divide as the body needs them. When cells become old or damaged, they die and new cells take their place. However, cancer relates to body cells dividing uncontrollably and spreading to neighbouring tissues.
Many cancers form masses of tissues which we call tumour. However, there are certain types of cancer, such as Leukemia that do not form solid tumours.
The Hong Kong Cancer Registry (HKCaR) has released its latest cancer statistics. According to the 2022 Hong Kong Cancer Statistics, 35,373 new cancer cases were recorded in that year.
The five most common cancers were:
1. Lung cancer (5,707 cases)
2. Breast cancer (5,208 cases)
3. Colorectal cancer (5,190 cases)
4. Prostate cancer (2,758 cases)
5. Liver cancer (1,612 cases)
These five cancers accounted for 58% of the total cases.
Overall, the five-year survival rate has continuously increased, from 42% in the early 2000s to 55% in recent years, reflecting advancements in Hong Kong’s healthcare system.
Additionally, data suggests that early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates. For some cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer, the five-year survival rate for Stage I patients is nearly 100%.
With an aging population and increased cancer screening, the number of cancer cases is expected to continue rising. Consequently, Hong Kong’s healthcare system will need to allocate resources accordingly to meet future demands for cancer treatment.
CANCER STAGING SYSTEM
Cancer is typically labelled in stages from I to IV with IV being the most severe. The staging describes the size of the cancer and how far it has spread, if at all. When you are diagnosed with cancer, your doctor will tell you what stage it is.
It’s important to understanding your cancer stage for a number of reasons:
TREATMENT: It helps your doctor to figure out the best form of treatment based on precedence, if available. An early stage cancer may be treated by surgery, while advanced stage cancer may need chemotherapy.
OUTLOOK: Your speed of recovery will be largely dependent on how early the cancer is detected. The stage gives you an idea of possible outcomes.
RESEARCH: Hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world work with cancer databases that keep track treatments used, and how well they have worked.
Researchers as well as your doctor can use this body of knowledge to help you develop your treatment plan.
Most cancer that involve a turmoil are staged in five broad groups. Other kinds of cancer like cancer of the blood and brain cancer have their own staging system.
Types of cancer
Cancer can spread to almost every organ in the body. The types of cancer are broadly organised into carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma and leukaemia . Carciomas are the most commonly diagnosed type. They originate in the skin, lungs, breasts, pancreas and other organs and glands. Sarcoma are cancers that are found in bone, muscle, fat blood vessels, cartilage and other soft connective tissues in our bodies. Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. And melanomas are cancers of the cells that make up the pigment in our skin.
