Breast cancers are the most common form of cancers found in women, the detection of breast cancer at an early stage appears likely to improve their prognosis. Self examination is an important factor in detection as is the use of mammographies.

The choice to undergo mammography screening for women is important, and requires that they do so with balanced information. In a dozen randomized trials, of approximately 400,000 women in total, have evaluated breast cancer screening by mammography in the general population. A majority of these tests are in fact modest level of evidence, for reasons of defective design or inaccuracy of their reports.

In terms of total mortality, a benefit of screening mammography in the general population has not been demonstrated, or if it has a positive or negative effect on total mortality figures. Taking into account the results of tests of good and poor quality, we can estimate that the effect is a relative decrease in mortality from 1% to a relative increase of 3%, after 13 years. Read the rest of this entry »

Treatment for cancer of the esophagus would begin once all other causes have been ruled out and that the doctor suspects a cancer of the esophagus. The doctor will first question the person about their general state of health, conduct a physical examination and prescribe some of the following tests:

The treatment is determined by stage of cancer or its degree of spread, as with most cancers, treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or a combination of three techniques. Read the rest of this entry »