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Health
S U P P L E M E N T
P R E S E N T E D B Y N AT I O N A L C A N C E R A C T I O N T E A M
Let’s Talk
Cancer
As Director of the Chinese National Healthy Living
Centre, it is my aim to ensure that Chinese people
living in Britain keep themselves well informed
about their health. This means being brave
enough to talk about cancer; motivated enough
to take preventative action and, if needed, to get
diagnosed early. We are pleased to be working
closely with the National Cancer Action Team to
raise awareness of cancer amongst the Chinese
community in England.
Cancer and
the Chinese
community
Screening is another key element in helping to
find cancer early and, in some cases, prevent
it. So if you have received an invitation to
breast or cervical screening, you need to
make the important decision to go. Finding
cancer early can increase the chances of
having successful treatment. It is just as
important to decide to use the bowel
screening kits that you may receive in
the post. Don’t ignore it; screening
really does save lives, as
Naomi’s story illustrates on
page 4.
We need to arm
ourselves with the
facts about cancer.
IN THIS EDITION:
CANCER SCREENING
CANCER OF THE NASOPHARYNX
BREAST CANCER
LUNG CANCER
PROSTATE CANCER
STOPPING SMOKING
USEFUL ORGANISATIONS
2/7
2/7
2/7
3/6
3/6
3/6
4/5
Welcome
This health supplement is aimed at
providing information to the Chinese
community in England on the issues
associated with cancer. It has been
developed by the National Cancer Action
Team in partnership with the Chinese
National Healthy Living Centre to support
the ‘Cancer does not discriminate’
campaign.
In this issue we cover:
• NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
• Awareness information on a number
of cancers
I know from personal experience that even
talking about cancer in our community can be
hard. When my 5 year old son was diagnosed
with a cancerous brain tumour, my parents
wouldn’t even discuss it with our relatives. And
I know that’s a situation that a large part of our
community will be able to relate to. Many people
still see cancer as a curse, an act of karma for
sins of our ancestors and that a cancer diagnosis
means a death sentence. But this is not the case.
Over the years, advancements in treatments
mean that if cancer is caught early, there are
better survival rates. There are millions of people
in the world who are living with and beyond
cancer. In our case, we recently celebrated my
son’s 21st birthday.
We also need to make sure that we go to our GP
if we have any concerns. Ignoring our symptoms
won’t make them go away. We may feel worried
or anxious about discussing things with the
doctor, especially about embarrassing or intimate
issues such as sexually transmitted diseases,
bowel habit, urinary problems or menstrual cycle.
But these problems will only be resolved by
discussing them. The doctors are there to help,
and have probably spoken to many people before
about very similar issues, so there is no need to
be shy or embarrassed.
ISSUE 6
• Information on stopping smoking
We would like to hear what you thought of
this issue, please email us at:
info@cnhlc.org.uk
Thank you,
Paula Lloyd Knight,
Associate Director
Patient Experience,
National Cancer
Action Team
反面是中文版
There are certain cancers which are more likely
to affect our community, such as cancer of the
nasopharynx, and this supplement has brought
information on these cancers together
for you. It also contains information on
the three national cancer screening
programmes, so you can find out for
yourself if you are eligible. If you are
reading this, you are already taking the
first steps to being cancer aware.
Please share this information with
those you love, so that we can
all work towards being more
open and informed about
cancer in our community.
By Eddie Chan,
Director of the Chinese
National Healthy Living
Centre
What is
Cancer?
Cancer is not a single disease with a single type
of treatment. There are more than 200 different
kinds of cancer, each with its own name and
treatment.
The organs and tissues of the body are made
up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cancer
is a disease of these cells. Cells are constantly
becoming old and dying, and new cells are
produced to replace them. Normally, cells divide
in an orderly and controlled manner. If for some
reason the process gets out of control, the cells
carry on dividing, developing into a lump which
is called a tumour. Tumours can be either benign
or malignant. Cancer is the name given to a
malignant tumour. Doctors can tell if a tumour is
benign or malignant by examining a small sample
of cells under a microscope. This is called a
biopsy.
In a benign tumour the cells do not spread to
other parts of the body and so are not cancerous.
However, if they continue to grow at the original
site, they may cause a problem by pressing on
the surrounding organs.
A malignant tumour consists of cancer cells that
have the ability to spread beyond the original
area. If the tumour is left untreated, it may spread
into and destroy surrounding tissue. Sometimes
cells break away from the original (primary)
cancer. They may spread to other organs in
the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic
system. The lymphatic system is part of the
immune system - the body’s natural defence
against infection and disease. It is a complex
system made up of organs, such as bone
marrow, the thymus, the spleen, and lymph
nodes. The lymph nodes (or glands) throughout
the body are connected by a network of tiny
lymphatic ducts. When the cancer cells reach
a new area they may go on dividing and form
a new tumour. This is known as a secondary
cancer or metastasis.
Information provided by Macmillan Cancer Support
Cancer Screening
Breast screening looks for cancer in the
breast when it is too small to see or feel. The
earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it
is to treat. Screening is carried out by taking
x-rays of the breasts (called mammograms).
Bowel cancer screening looks for blood
in faeces, which can be a sign of bowel
cancer. You complete a kit at home, using
tiny faeces samples, which is then sent to
a laboratory to be tested. Anyone with an
abnormal result is asked to discuss having
a colonoscopy, a procedure to examine the
inside of the bowel.
Screening invitations are sent every 3 years
to women aged 50-70. This age range is
currently being extended, to women aged
47-73. Women over the invitation age range
can request screening every three years by
contacting their local screening unit.
Cancer of the
Nasopharynx
CAUSES
The exact cause of cancer of the nasopharynx
is unknown. In some areas of the world, such
as China and North Africa, dietary factors
(such as the cooking of salt-cured fish and
meat, which releases chemicals known
as nitrosamines) are thought to increase a
person’s risk of developing the disease.
Kits are sent every 2 years to men and
women aged 60-69. This is being extended
to people aged up to 74. Anyone over the
invitation age can request a free screening
kit by ringing 0800 707 60 60.
It is estimated that breast screening saves
around 1,300 lives each year.
The Epstein-Barr virus (which causes glandular
fever) has also been linked to an increased risk of
developing nasopharyngeal cancer. As with other
cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer is not infectious
and cannot be passed on to other people.
Regular screening reduces the risk of dying
from bowel cancer. If caught early, 9 out of
10 people survive bowel cancer.
Information provided by NHS Cancer Screening
Programmes
THE
Information provided by NHS Cancer Screening
Programmes
Information provided by Macmillan Cancer Support
KEY
FACTS
Cervical screening looks for
abnormal cell changes on the cervix
(the neck of the womb) which can develop
into cancer. Finding them and treating them
can stop cancer from developing.
THE NASOPHARYNX
The nasopharynx is an airspace lying at the
back of the nose and above the soft part of
the palate (roof of the mouth). It connects the
nose to the back of the mouth (oropharynx),
allowing you to breathe through your nose
and to swallow mucus produced by the lining
membranes of the nose.
During screening, an instrument called a
speculum is gently inserted into the vagina
to hold it open. A tiny soft brush is used to
collect cells from the cervix, which are sent
to a laboratory to be examined.
Screening invitations are sent every 3 years
for women aged 25 - 49 and every five
years for women aged 50-64. Women aged
over 64 who have never been screened or
whose last three tests were not clear can
also have cervical screening. Screening is
usually carried out by the practice nurse at
your GP surgery.
CANCER OF THE
NASOPHARYNX
This type of cancer is rare in the West, but
much more common in countries of the
Far East. Approximately 230 new cases of
nasopharyngeal cancer are diagnosed in the
UK each year. It can occur at any age, but is
more likely to be seen in people aged between
50 and 60. It affects more men than women.
Information provided by NHS Cancer Screening
Programmes
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
One of the first symptoms is often a painless
swelling or lump in the upper neck. Other
symptoms may include any of the following:
• a blocked nose
• nosebleeds
• changes in hearing
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
These symptoms are common in conditions
other than cancer, and most people with
these symptoms will not have cancer of the
nasopharynx. However, like most cancers,
nasopharyngeal cancer is best treated when
diagnosed at an early stage, and you should
therefore report any of the above symptoms
to your GP if they do not improve after a
few days.
Breast Cancer Health Message
TAKING CARE OF
YOUR BREASTS
Whatever your age, size or shape, it’s important
to take care of your breasts.
Every year around 50,000 people in the UK
find out they have breast cancer. It’s the most
common cancer diagnosed in UK women
and can affect women of all ethnicities. But,
worryingly, 43% of minority ethnic and black
women say they never check their breasts.
There is no right or wrong way of checking your
breasts and you can make it part of your normal
routine. It’s important to decide what you are
comfortable with and what suits you best and
then look at and feel your breasts regularly.
You could do this in the bath or shower, when
you use body lotion, or when you get dressed.
What’s important is getting to know what is
normal for you. You can then feel confident
about noticing any unusual changes. Breast
cancer can affect women of all ages, so women
should check their breasts and report any
unusual changes throughout their life.
NHS National Cancer Action Team accepts no liability for the views and opinions of organisations or individuals in this supplement.
Most changes in your breasts won’t turn out to
be breast cancer, but if it is breast cancer, then
the sooner this is diagnosed, the more effective
the treatment may be. Around 70% of women
with breast cancer found out they had it by
noticing a change in their breasts and talking
to someone about it, so it can make a real
difference.
know that you can make it part of your daily
routine, it needn’t be anything to be scared of.
If you get to know what’s normal for you, it’s
much easier to notice if something isn’t right and
then it’s important to talk to your doctor. Don’t
be scared of talking to your GP or delay going,
as the earlier diagnosis may lead to simpler
treatments options.”
Many people say they find it difficult to go to
their GP, but if you do notice any changes it’s
important you visit your doctor and get yourself
checked out as soon as possible. You can
always ask to see a female GP if you’d feel more
comfortable. If you’re invited to screening, all
screening staff are women too.
There’s an easy way to remember how to stay
breast aware…
If you have any questions about breast health
or screening, Breast Cancer Care’s free,
confidential helpline is there to help. The helpline
has access to an interpreter if you’d rather
speak in a language other than English – call
0808 800 6000. Or if you’d prefer, the Breast
Cancer Care website has loads of information,
visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk.
1. You should know what is normal for you.
Davinia Green, Breast Health Promotion
Manager at Breast Cancer Care says: “If you
feel a bit embarrassed or apprehensive about
checking your breasts, it may be reassuring to
Guidance issued by the Department
of Health, 2009.
Information provided by Breast Cancer Care
THE BREAST AWARENESS
5-POINT CODE
2. Know what changes to look for.
3. Look and feel.
4. Tell your GP about any changes
straight away.
5. Go for breast screening when invited.
Information provided by Breast Cancer Care
Prostate Cancer
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the
world. In the UK, around 41,500 new cases are
diagnosed each year. It is the most common
cause of cancer death in the UK, for both men
and women.
Everyone is at risk of developing lung cancer. It
is known that smokers and ex-smokers have an
increased risk of getting lung cancer. However,
please remember that people who have never
smoked are also at risk of getting this disease.
There are other things that increase the risk of
developing lung cancer. For example, contact
with chemicals found in the workplace or
environment, such as asbestos, radon and diesel
exhaust fumes.
Passive smoking (breathing in other people’s
cigarette smoke) increases the risk of lung
cancer, but it is still much less than if you smoke
yourself.
A healthy lifestyle is the most important way for
you to prevent lung cancer.
• Keep physically fit.
• Have a healthy diet – eat more fruit and
vegetables and less salt, sugar and drink less
alcohol.
• It is never too late to stop smoking – no
matter what age you are, it can make a real
difference to your health.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR?
There are lots of reasons why you might have
some of the symptoms below. It may be nothing
serious but it’s worth getting yourself checked
out. If you have any of the following symptoms
for more than three weeks, make an appointment
with your GP today.
Unexplained tiredness
or lack of energy
It’s never too late! Stopping at any age will
increase your life expectancy, provided
that you stop before you develop cancer or
another serious disease.
• Within the first 24 hours your blood
pressure and lungs will be showing
improvement.
• After three months your circulation
and breathing should have improved
noticeably.
• After five years, your risk of having a heart
attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
• After ten years, your risk of lung cancer
falls to about half that of a smoker.
I’VE TRIED TO GIVE UP MANY
TIMES, BUT ALWAYS FAIL WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
If you’ve tried before and it didn’t work out don’t
worry. You haven’t failed, you have just given
yourself more practice for the next time you quit.
Research has shown that the more attempts you
have made in the past, the more likely you are to
succeed in the future. This is because every time
you are getting more experienced in how to quit.
Next time you quit spend a little longer planning.
The preparation you do up front can make all the
difference.
KEY FACTS ABOUT
PROSTATE CANCER
• 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in
the UK
• Over 250,000 men are living
with prostate cancer
A cough that
doesn’t go away
Hoarse voice
Unexplained
breathlessness
A long standing
cough gets worse
Chest and / or
shoulder pains
WHAT CHANGES SHOULD
I LOOK OUT FOR?
Some men with prostate cancer may have no
symptoms at all, but if you have any problems
with you waterworks, it might be a sign of a
prostate problem.
Some symptoms caused by prostate problems
include:
• Needing to pee more often, especially at night
• Difficulty starting to pee
• Straining or taking a long time to finish peeing
Coughing up blood
Chest infections
Unexplained
weight loss
WHAT IS THE
PROSTATE GLAND?
• A weak flow of pee
Only men have a prostate gland. It lies
underneath the bladder and surrounds the tube
that men pass urine and semen through (urethra).
The prostate gland’s main job is to make some of
the fluid that carries sperm, called semen.
• Needing to rush to the toilet – you may
occasionally leak pee before you get there
WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
• A feeling that your bladder has not emptied
properly
• Dribbling pee
Problems with passing urine are common in
older men but this does not mean men should
have to put up with them. There are treatments
available for urinary symptoms as well as
prostate problems and prostate cancer.
The three main types of prostate problems are:
Information provided by Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Stopping Smoking
IS IT TOO LATE TO STOP?
With help from Prostate Cancer UK we
highlight some of the facts that you need
to know.
WAYS TO QUIT
There are lots of ways to quit and the NHS
provides free support to help.
Quitting can be hard, but with the help of your
free, local NHS Stop Smoking Services you are
up to four times more likely to quit successfully
than by going it alone.
WHAT SUPPORT IS
AVAILABLE TO ME?
You can speak to an adviser over the phone,
go to face-to-face meetings, get one-to-one
local advice or join the Smokefree Together
programme for information and advice via
post, text and email.
You can try nicotine replacement
products or medication to help you
cope with withdrawal symptoms.
Call the NHS Smoking
Helpline on 0800 022 4 332.
They can help you decide
on the best way to quit and
provide information about
your nearest services. Lines
are open Monday to Friday
9am to 8pm and Saturday
and Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Information on how to get
this support, along with advice
on smoking and other forms of
tobacco, can be found at www.nhs.uk/
smokefree. There are also lots of useful tools
on this website that can help you get started on
your journey towards becoming smokefree.
Information provided by NHS Smokefree
• An enlarged prostate.
This is the most common
prostate problem and can
be referred to as benign
prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) or enlargement
(BPE)
• Prostatitis - An
inflammation or infection
in the prostate
• Prostate cancer
AM I AT RISK?
• Age: Generally prostate
cancer is diagnosed in
men over the age of 50
and your risk increases as
you get older.
• Family: You are 2.5 times
more likely to develop
prostate cancer if your
father or brother has
been diagnosed with it,
compared to a man who has no relatives with
prostate cancer.
• Diet: No one knows how to prevent
prostate cancer yet but diet and
a healthy lifestyle may be
important in protecting
against the disease and
other health problems.
TESTING FOR
PROSTATE CANCER
There is no screening programme for prostate
cancer but there is a simple blood test, called
the PSA test that can help your doctor work
out if you may have a prostate problem. A
raised PSA level can show that there might be
a problem with your prostate. But a PSA test
alone cannot diagnose prostate cancer. So if
you are concerned about prostate cancer you
should talk to your doctor.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
You can talk to a Specialist Nurse by calling Prostate Cancer UK’s
confidential helpline on 0800 074 8383 or you can visit the website:
www.prostatecanceruk.org
Information provided by Prostate Cancer UK
NHS National Cancer Action Team accepts no liability for the views and opinions of organisations or individuals in this supplement.
Naomi’s Story
After receiving a mammogram letter in
January 2010, I went for it. Two weeks later,
I was annoyed to receive a second letter for
a recheck because no lump or discharge
was found on my breasts. My friend shared
her experience of biopsy during the second
mammogram but found nothing abnormal.
I totally neglected the letter and convinced
myself that I was healthy. However, the
Breast Screening Service kept on calling.
Finally I went with my husband to the
Breast Unit in North London.
The doctor showed us the deformity of
my left breast milk ducts on the second
mammogram X-ray, and asked me to
undress for a physical examination: my
left nipple was inverted. Knowing the
seriousness of my health condition, I
followed each instruction without any
hesitation. After three injections of local
anaesthetic, a biopsy was taken
promptly. Holding my husband’s
hands, looking at the ultra-sound
screen and following the movement of
the needle moving inside my body, I
heard the ‘staple click noise’ without
any pain. Nevertheless, I laughed
loudly five times to relieve the pain
caused by the pressure of the
nurse’s hand after each
biopsy was taken. We
were overwhelmed by
the effectiveness of all
these procedures and
I felt naïve in ignoring
my inverted nipple.
would be clarified effectively on the spot.
The cancer nurse showed deep concern in
her explanation and let me choose, for the
first appointment, the hospital closest to my
home.
To my surprise, the very first outpatient
appointment at the Breast Unit was in the
evening, so good for my work without taking
a sick leave and I met my consultant and
the named cancer nurse. They listened and
answered all my questions respectfully, and
eased all my worries. My operation date 20
March with my consultant was jotted down
onto the list during my second outpatient
appointment. I was able to prepare for the
operation in advance, sorting out issues with
my job and family. The Breast Unit team did
what they promised: the operation was done
within one month of confirmed diagnosis and
all investigations were sped up effectively.
Before I entered the theatre; my
consultant came and marked
a cross with a pen on my left
chest that gave me assurance;
I should come round with my
operation done on the correct
site. I was in the right hands
and in control of my illness, and
was treated respectfully as a
human being. I thank the Breast
Unit for saving my life by
sending me a mammogram
letter before my 50th
birthday.
Cancer Champions
As part of its ‘Cancer does not discriminate’
campaign, the National Cancer Action Team
has trained local cancer patient champions
in cancer awareness. The first champions
attended a two day training course in London.
The champions will now deliver awareness
sessions in their own local communities
to promote cancer awareness, encourage
screening take up and generally get people in
their local community to talk about cancer.
Paula Lloyd Knight, Associate Director
NCAT, said 'It has been a pleasure and
Useful Organisations
Production Credits
Macmillan Cancer Support
Carers UK
Chinese National Healthy Living Centre
89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
Macmillan Cancer Line: 0808 808 0000
(An interpreter can be requested)
20 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4LX
Carers Line: 0808 808 7777 (10am-12pm and
2pm-4pm, Wed & Thu)
29 – 30 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QS
Tel: 020 7534 6546
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Email: advice@carersuk.org
Website: www.carersuk.org
Email: info@cnhlc.org.uk
www.cnhlc.org.uk
Provides specialist advice and support
through Macmillan nurses and doctors, and
financial advice and grants for people with
cancer and their families.
Carers UK provides high quality advice and
information to carers and the professionals
who support carers.
For more information please contact RAFFA via
admin@raffa.org.uk or telephone
07958 744660
Chinese National Healthy Living Centre
(CNHLC) was founded in 1987 to promote
healthy living and facilitate access to health
services for the Chinese community in the
UK. The Centre aims to reduce the health
inequalities experienced by the Chinese
community. Language difficulties and cultural
differences present major obstacles to many
Chinese people accessing mainstream health
and social care services. CNHLC works
closely with both statutory and community
organisations to deliver its mission.
Naomi has since become
one of our Local Cancer
Patient Champions, see
the article to the right for
more information.
Two weeks later at
the same hospital, I
met a Chinese couple
waiting anxiously.
I comforted them
from my experience
that everything
an honour training the local cancer patient
champions, they were all so enthusiastic and
passionate about making a difference in their
communities, many of them already have
events planned. Having local champions who
are part of faith communities is a great way
to deliver the 'cancer does not discriminate'
message, I'm sure they will all go on to make
an impact in their respective communities'
Editors
Paula Lloyd Knight
Associate Director, Patient Experience,
National Cancer Action Team
Claire Elshaw
Communications Coordinator,
National Cancer Action Team
Production Partner
Eddie Chan
Director, Chinese National Healthy Living Centre
Translation provided by
Yan Hua Ou
Sharon Loh
Naomi Cheung
Contributors
Cancer Screening Programmes
NCAT Production Coordinator
Claire Elshaw
Design
D237.com
NHS Smokefree
Special thanks to
Naomi Cheung, Suzi Chung
NHS National Cancer Action Team accepts no liability for the views and opinions of organisations or individuals in this supplement.