KANSER payudara merupakan kanser
yang paling kerap berlaku kepada wanita dan seluruh rakyat tanpa mengira bangsa
di Malaysia. Satu dalam setiap 20 wanita di negara kita mempunyai risiko untuk
mendapat kanser payudara dalam hayat kehidupan mereka (bersamaan 700,000
orang).
Kebarangkalian untuk kanser payudara
berlaku bertambah bermula dari umur 30 tahun dan melibatkan paling ramai
daripada pesakit dalam lingkungan usia 50 hingga 60 tahun.
Apa yang menyedihkan dari pengalaman
saya sepanjang lebih 20 tahun sebagai pegawai perubatan yang terlibat dalam
rawatan kanser payudara, kebanyakan pesakit (60 peratus daripada pesakit kanser
payudara) datang ke hospital untuk mendapatkan rawatan pada tahap 3 (kanser
yang merebak setempat) atau 4 (kanser yang telah merebak ke organ-organ lain
seperti paru-paru, tulang atau hati).
Sebahagian daripadanya telah datang
pada peringkat awal (tahap 1 dan 2) tetapi telah menolak rawatan yang disyorkan
oleh pakar pembedahan payudara dan endokrin untuk mendapatkan rawatan
alternatif. Hampir semua daripada pesakit-pesakit ini akan datang kembali
dengan kanser pada tahap yang lebih serius.
Oleh itu, adalah amat penting untuk
pesakit yang mempunyai ketumbuhan atau ketulan pada payudara untuk datang ke
klinik pembedahan bagi menjalankan penyiasatan lanjut untuk tujuan pengesahan
kanser payudara, mengetahui tahap kanser payudara dan seterusnya mendapatkan
rawatan awal yang lengkap untuk meningkatkan kebarangkalian untuk sembuh.
Apa yang akan dilakukan kepada
pesakit yang datang ke Klinik Pembedahan Payudara dan Endokrin?
Semua pesakit akan melalui apa yang
dipanggil pemeriksaan tiga serangkai (triple assessment) iaitu:
1. Pengambilan sejarah penyakit dan
pemeriksaan fizikal
2. Pemeriksaan radiologi sama ada
mamografi (x-ray payudara) atau/dan ultrasound
3. Pengambilan sampel sel atau
sampel tisu ketumbuhan bagi pengesahan kanser payudara
Setelah kanser payudara disahkan
oleh pengambilan sampel sel atau tisu, langkah seterusnya adalah untuk
mengetahui tahap kanser payudara tersebut sebelum rawatan awal yang lengkap
dilakukan.
Pengambilan sejarah penyakit dan
pemeriksaan fizikal
Sejarah pesakit diambil dengan
teliti untuk mengetahui tanda-tanda kanser payudara dan juga faktor risiko yang
ada pada pesakit. Antara tanda- tanda kanser payudara adalah ketulan pada
payudara dan/atau ketiak, ketulan yang membesar dengan cepat, lelehan berdarah
yang keluar dari puting payudara tanpa sebab, puting payudara atau kulit yang
tertarik ke dalam, perubahan kepada struktur kulit payudara dan juga keradangan
kepada payudara.
Selain itu kita juga melihat kepada
faktor risiko kanser payudara yang ada pada pesakit seperti sejarah kanser
payudara pada keluarga yang terdekat, umur pesakit, sejarah kanser payudara
yang lepas pada pesakit yang sama, pendedahan kepada radiasi ke bahagian dada
pada usia muda (kurang dari 20 tahun), faktor kesuburan seperti kandungan
pertama pada usia melebihi 30 tahun, tidak mempunyai anak, tidak menyusukan
anak, penggunaan pil perancang keluarga, penggunaan hormon selepas putus haid,
haid pertama yang awal (kurang dari 12 tahun) dan putus haid yang lewat
(selepas 55 tahun). Kegemukan dan pengambilan alkohol juga merupakan faktor
risiko boleh ubah kepada kanser payudara
Fakta-fakta ini membolehkan kita
mengkategorikan pesakit kepada risiko rendah, sederhana atau tinggi untuk
mendapat kanser payudara.
Pemeriksaan payudara oleh doktor
pakar amatlah penting bagi melihat ciri-ciri ketulan sama ada ianya bercirikan
ketulan yang tidak bahaya atau bukan kanser (benign) ataupun ketulan kanser.
Ini adalah sangat penting kerana
bagi kes-kes yang berisiko tinggi untuk kanser segala penyiasatan susulan akan
dilakukan secepat yang mungkin. Antara ciri-ciri ketulan yang berisiko tinggi
adalan ketulan yang keras dan berakar (ill-defined margin), yang melekat pada
kulit atau dinding dada, perubahan pada kulit seumpama kulit limau dan ketulan
pada ketiak pada masa yang sama.
Pesakit yang mempunyai sejarah
keluarga juga dinasihatkan untuk memberi penerangan kepada ahli keluarga mereka
yang lain untuk menjalani pemeriksaan awal walau tiada apa-apa tanda kanser
payudara sekalipun.
Pemeriksaan radiologi
Bagi pesakit yang berisiko untuk
mendapat kanser payudara ataupun yang mempunyai ketulan yang berisiko tinggi
pemeriksaan mammogram akan dijalankan secepat yang mungkin bagi pesakit yang
berumur 40 tahun dan ke atas.
Mamogram (x-ray payudara) dilakukan
bagi melihat ciri-ciri ketulan sama ada mempunyai ciri-ciri kanser atau
sebaliknya. Salah satu kelebihan mammogram adalah ia dapat mengesan
kanser-kanser kecil dan tanda tanda awal kanser payudara seperti pemendapan
kalsium dalam tisu payudara (calcification) walaupun masih belum boleh dirasa
secara pemeriksaan klinikal.
Pemeriksaan mamografi biasanya akan
disertakan dengan pemeriksaan ultrasound payudara bagi kes kes tertentu.
Penggunaan ultrasound bagi melengkapkan pemeriksaan payudara selepas mamogram
didapati akan meningkatkan lagi keupayaan untuk mengesan kanser payudara.
Ultrasound payudara umumnya sesuai
untuk pesakit yang berumur bawah 40 tahun disebabkan oleh kepadatan tisu
payudara yang tinggi yang tidak sesuai untuk mammografi.
Pengambilan sampel sel atau tisu
ketumbuhan
Pengambilan sampel sel (fine needle
aspiration cytology) dan pengambilan tisu (core/trucut biopsy) dilakukan untuk
mengesahkan kanser payudara. Ianya biasa dilakukan selepas mammogram ataupun
ultrasound.
Pengambilan sampel tisu dilakukan
dengan pemberian bius setempat demi keselesaan pesakit. Pemeriksaan sel ataupun
tisu akan dilakukan oleh pakar patologi bagi mengesahkan kanser dan juga
melihat ciri-ciri kanser secara lebih terperinci.
Pemeriksaan tiga serangkai sangatlah
penting bagi pesakit yang berisiko kerana ia akan menghasilkan keputusan dengan
ketepatan yang tinggi dalam mengesan kanser payudara (ketepatan 98%,
sensitivity 100%, specificity 95.2%).
Struktur payudara yang hanya berada
di bawah kulit sebenarnya adalah satu rahmat kepada semua di mana ia
membolehkan pengesanan awal dilakukan jika terdapat ketulan pada payudara
berbanding dengan kanser di bahagian lain.
Pemeriksaan sendiri payudara merupakan
satu cara yang amat penting untuk pengesanan awal tetapi pengesanan awal tidak
akan bermakna jika pesakit tidak terus ke klinik pakar bagi proses pengesahan
dan seterusnya mendapatkan rawatan seawal dan selengkapnya.
Bagi mereka yang berisiko walaupun
tidak mempunyai sebarang tanda-tanda kanser payudara dinasihatkan menjalani
pemeriksaan payudara di klinik pakar di samping ujian mammogram apabila
mencecah usia 40 tahun.
Pengesanan kanser payudara di
peringkat awal diikuti dengan rawatan lengkap termasuklah pembedahan yang
merupakan rawatan utama dan/atau kemoterapi, radioterapi dan rawatan hormon
ataupun terapi biologi tertumpu (targeted therapy) sangatlah penting bagi
meningkatkan peluang untuk sembuh.
Jangan takut kepada rawatan kanser
payudara yang memberi peluang kepada kita untuk sembuh dengan izin-Nya tetapi
takutlah untuk hidup bersama kanser payudara yang boleh merebak. Janganlah kita
melakukan sesuatu yang memudaratkan diri kita sendiri dengan tidak merawat
kanser payudara dengan betul.
Sempena bulan kempen kesedaran
kanser payudara yang diadakan setiap bulan Oktober di seluruh negara, saya
menyeru kepada semua untuk berusaha memerangi kanser payudara
Source : Harakahdaily
Mesothelioma
and Asbestos Lawyers
Once the initial shock of a mesothelioma diagnosis has passed,
patients and loved ones are often left wondering how they can afford expensive
treatment and other financial hardships. Choosing the right mesothelioma lawyer
to represent you is an important first step in ensuring your family’s financial
future.
Statutes
of limitations vary from state to state, and you may be running out of time to
file a lawsuit for compensation. That’s why it’s important to learn about your
legal options as soon as possible.
Not all
lawyers are created equal. Mesothelioma lawsuits are complex and time
sensitive. A lawyer with a history of successful asbestos litigation makes the
process simple and hassle free, giving you more time to focus on what matters
most: Your health and family.
An
experienced mesothelioma lawyer will handle your case from start to finish and
explain your options along the way. They are familiar with other avenues of
compensation and will help you make the right decision.
Bankrupt
asbestos companies have set aside billions to compensate people diagnosed with asbestos-related
diseases. Asbestos trust fund claims are filed out of court and can get those
injured by negligent companies the compensation they deserve — often quicker
than a traditional lawsuit.
Military
veterans exposed to asbestos during service can file a disability claim with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A qualified asbestos attorney can
help veterans navigate the complicated VA claims process as well as legal
routes.
Reasons
for Hiring an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
Better Resources
Asbestos
law is complex. Only specialized mesothelioma lawyers have the resources and
experience you need for such an important undertaking. Because every claim is
different, your lawyer will explain the types of compensation available for
your situation and evaluate how much money you can receive.
Compassion
and Understanding
An
asbestos lawyer will be compassionate during the hard time you and your loved
ones are going through. A representative from the attorney’s firm will travel
to you when gathering information for your case. The law firm will work hard to
make sure you don’t have to spend a day in court unless it is absolutely
necessary.
Knowledgeable
Mesothelioma
attorneys are familiar with the companies that used asbestos. They know which
job sites caused significant asbestos exposure and which products contained
high concentrations of the toxic mineral. Identifying when and where you were
exposed to asbestos is crucial to winning your claim.
Winning
Track Record
Asbestos
industry defenders always put up a tough fight. You need a national law firm
with a proven track record of winning asbestos lawsuits or large settlements.
Qualified attorneys know the best jurisdictions for filing claims, and they are
also well versed in the asbestos trust fund claims process.
What
Expenses Can Be Covered by Legal Compensation?
A
trustworthy attorney will never guarantee an outcome, a settlement or a
successful jury verdict. However, finding a mesothelioma lawyer who can offer a
high probability of successwill make it easier to obtain compensation.
In
addition to expensive treatments not covered by your health insurance, other
common expenses for mesothelioma patients include:
Common expenses for mesothelioma patients
Lost wages
Caregiver costs
Travel expenses for treatment
Funeral expenses
Therapy and grief support
Other expenses not covered by insurance
It is important to save all your medical and financial records
so your lawyer can have updated information about your expenses. In addition to
compensation to cover expenses, mesothelioma lawsuits may include punitive
damages to punish the defendant and award the plaintiff for their pain and
suffering.
Differences
in Legal Options
Asbestos
exposure is often the result of someone else’s negligence, making mesothelioma
an almost entirely preventable cancer. Many companies knew of the dangers of
asbestos but failed to warn their employees. Lawsuits hold these companies
accountable while providing much-needed compensation to those diagnosed with
asbestos-related diseases.
A
qualified asbestos lawyer will help you decide if it’s better to file a lawsuit
or pursue another type of claim, as well as estimate the potential value of
your claim.
Depending
on your situation, it may even be possible for you to receive compensation
without stepping foot in court. Many people have successfully done so through
asbestos trust claims, VA disability claims and out-of-court settlements.
Filing a
Lawsuit in Court
There are
two types of asbestos injury lawsuits: Personal injury claims and wrongful
death suits.
Specific
rights in these lawsuits depend on the county and state where the case is
filed. A mesothelioma lawyer will help you determine which of these lawsuits is
best for you or your family.
Personal
Injury Claim
An
individual diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a personal injury claim against
one or more companies that may be responsible for their illness. Many cases are
settled out of court.
Wrongful
Death Suit
The family
of a person who died from the asbestos-related disease can file a wrongful
death lawsuit. There is a possibility they may need to appear in court.
Filing a
Trust Claim Outside of Court
More than
60 trusts have been established on behalf of asbestos companies that filed for
bankruptcy reorganization to avoid future lawsuits. The U.S. government
requires these companies to fund these trusts with enough money to pay out
current and future claims.
It is
estimated that asbestos trust funds contain more than $30 billion in total.
Filing for
VA Benefits
Military
veterans can apply for VA benefits such as health care and monthly disability
compensation. The surviving spouses and children of veterans who died of
service-related disabilities can apply for a monthly Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) benefit.
According
to the 2016 Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables, an unmarried veteran
without children can receive more than $2,900 per month, while a married
veteran with at least one child can receive nearly $3,200 per month.
Lawsuit
Settlements
You may
file a lawsuit and win compensation without having to go to court. The vast
majority of mesothelioma lawsuits never go to trial. Although a jury verdict
may result in a larger reward, mesothelioma settlements are guaranteed
compensation and a quicker resolution to a case.
Trials can
be lengthy and some plaintiffs might not receive compensation until months
after the verdict, depending on an appeal. An experienced lawyer will explain
the strengths of your case and help you decide whether to settle or seek a
verdict.
Can I
Afford an Attorney?
In
asbestos lawsuits, attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you
pay nothing until you receive compensation and nothing at all if your case is
not successful.
Contingency
fees protect you because they usually are based on a percentage of any
compensation you receive. Be sure to discuss this percentage during your first
meeting with an attorney.
Mesothelioma
Verdicts
Mesothelioma
lawsuits have helped hundreds of thousands of people seek compensation from
companies that negligently exposed them to asbestos. The ultimate goal is to
put money in the hands of someone who needs help reducing financial hardships
during an illness and providing a more stable future for loved ones.
$250
million
A retired
U.S. Steel worker from Indiana won a 2003 mesothelioma trial after alleging the
company was responsible for exposing him to asbestos insulation for decades.
U.S. Steel was expected to appeal the $250 million verdict, but instead settled
out of court for an undisclosed amount.
$115
million
In 1998, a
Texas jury awarded $115 million to 21 steelworkers who developed asbestosis
while working at an Alabama steel mill. Carborundum Company, the manufacturer
of an asbestos-containing grinding wheel used at the mill, was ordered to pay
$100 million in punitive damages.
$18.6
million
A Dallas
county jury awarded $18.6 million in 2014 to the family of a tire builder who
died of mesothelioma. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employee was
repeatedly exposed to asbestos over 30 years while working with Goodyear tire
machines at a plant in Tyler, Texas.
$1.74
million
In 2011,
the Delaware Supreme Court awarded damages to the family of a mother and son
who died of pleural mesothelioma after exposures at a family auto shop. Four surviving
family members received $1.24 million for pain and suffering and $500,000 in a
wrongful death verdict.
Mesothelioma
Legal Myths & Concerns
There are
many misconceptions about the mesothelioma legal process and why it is
important to hire a specialized lawyer. Don’t let these misconceptions prevent
you from seeking important legal help.
I Should
Focus on My Health Now and Speak with a Lawyer Later
Although
investing your time and energy into treatment and feeling better is important,
mesothelioma lawsuits are time sensitive. Depending on your location, state
laws may prevent you from filing a claim one or two years after learning about
your diagnosis. In addition, the sooner you seek legal help, the sooner you may
be able to receive compensation to cover medical expenses.
I Don’t
Want to Choose the Wrong Lawyer
If you’re
concerned about the cost of legal counsel, you should know most mesothelioma
attorneys offer free consultations. It’s possible to discuss your case with a
qualified lawyer with no obligations, giving you a chance to find someone you
are comfortable with at no cost. If you decide to file a lawsuit, you only need
to pay your lawyer if you receive an award from a settlement or trial verdict.
I Don’t
Want to Sue the Government
Mesothelioma
lawsuits are filed against companies that produced and sold asbestos, not the
government. If you were exposed to asbestos during military service, you may
have the option to file a lawsuit against a company that supplied
asbestos-containing products to the armed forces. If you don’t feel comfortable
filing a lawsuit, you may be able to recover funds by filing a VA claim.
Any Lawyer
Can Help Me File a Claim
Because mesothelioma lawsuits are complicated, you want to have
an experienced lawyer on your side. Attorneys who are well-versed in these
types of cases know the ins and outs of filing a claim. They offer you the best
chance of winning compensation to cover treatment and provide for your family.
Make sure your lawyer has a proven track record of success. This includes
winning verdicts in the courtroom, should your case go to trial.
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