From left to right, Pr Julien Mazières, pneumo-oncologist at the Toulouse University Hospital, Dr Marc Spielmann, oncologist at the French Breast Institute in Paris and Dr Richard Mallet, urological surgeon at the Francheville Private Hospital who will intervene during the Urology congress from 3 to 7 May. ©MB/Radio1
Early detection of cancer increases the chances of survival, reduces the sequelae of treatment and reduces the financial cost that this represents. This is the message that the Polynesia Committee of the League Against Cancer wants to convey, which is organizing an oncology congress at the end of which three metropolitan specialists will address the general public, on Saturday May 7 at 9 a.m. in the multipurpose room. of the town hall of Pirae. The part reserved for professionals begins this Tuesday, May 3.
Cancer screening saves many lives. Today it is no longer synonymous with condemnation, as it can still be in the unconscious of some people. And so that the population can understand it and adopt the right screening reflexes, the Polynesia committee of the League against Cancer is organizing an oncology congress, “Cancer Today” from May 3 to 7, the program of which can be found ici. Some cancers cause symptoms that appear very late in the disease and therefore require regular screening, often allowing a light and effective treatment.
The objective of the press conference given this Monday was to invite as many people as possible to a general public conference, Saturday May 7 at 9 am in the multipurpose room of the town hall of Pirae. Three metropolitan specialists will be available to answer questions about the cancers themselves, about the treatments or even about the consequences of these treatments and possible support. For the consequences of cancers that affect the genitals, for example, a sexologist will intervene to talk about solutions to the consequences of the disease and the treatments.
Breast cancer, the deadliest among Polynesian women…
Certainly it happens that cancers are discovered too late – with the appearance of symptoms – but here again, treatments have progressed enormously, according to the three specialists. In Polynesia breast cancer is the deadliest in women because it is often screened too late? And yet, when detected in time, there are 20% fewer mastectomies (breast removal) today than 20 years ago in France. To talk about it, Dr. Marc Spielmann, oncologist at the French Breast Institute in Paris, was invited. Screening is crucial because the smaller the tumour, the less chemotherapy – heavy to bear and less targeted – and mastectomy are necessary. For exemple, “For two years we have known that in the majority of cases after the menopause, there is no longer any need for chemotherapy, but only for an anti-hormonal treatment, explains Dr. Marc Spielmann. But this is true only if detection is early enough.”
Tobacco, a cause of bladder cancer…
He did not show any symptoms in the early stages of the disease… prostate cancer kills one person every hour in France while screening is possible. When spine and bone pain appear, the diagnosis is wrong. “Today we have to screen, we have to think about digital rectal examination, PSA for the prostate, insists Dr. Richard Mallet, but we must not ignore the other urological cancers and in particular that of the bladder”. The latter presents as a symptom of bleeding in the urine, which “must immediately lead to a consultation”. The urological surgeon is also pleased to have set up the month of May dedicated to bladder cancer in France, ” which is linked in most cases to tobacco« .
…and lungs of course
The third speaker at the congress is Professor Julien Mazières, pneumo-oncologist at the Toulouse University Hospital. It will take stock of the situation and present new developments and prospects for the treatment of lung cancer. He specifies that its particularity is to be “an organ with few nerves, so it doesn’t hurt”. So when lung cancer gives symptoms, “it means that it has metastasized or become very large,” explains Pr Julien Mazières. ” When it is 1 or 2 centimeters, there are no symptoms, the only way to detect it is to do a CT scan of the chest. It cannot be done for everyone, but it is recommended for smokers or former smokers who are over 50 years old. »
