SLYOU Magazine issue 4 | Page 39

“ I prefer to treat the patient in the earliest stage, that being prevention, which is better than treatment, said Dr. Ramos. regularly to get a mammogram and ultrasound. If any lump is detected, you’ll need to have a biopsy, which can yield information about the form of cancer you have.” • Colon Cancer: “Anyone 50 years and older needs to check for colon cancer via a colonoscopy. If you experience any bleeding or abdomen pain, diarrhea and constipation, you should visit the doctor immediately.” • Cervical Cancer: “Annual checkups for cervical cancer is essential. Years ago, older women developed cervical cancer. However, that has changed over the years, with the disease now more prevalent among young women, especially those who have many sex partners and do not use protection.” • Prostate Cancer: “Another form of cancer that is frequent in men 50 years and older is prostate cancer. Therefore, men need to have regular rectal examinations. Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.” Dr. Ramos said many of the foods we eat are unhealthy because of the chemicals used to produce them. He recommends eating healthy foods such as fruits and natural produce, and advises against eating too much meat because the chemicals used in producing it can cause cancer. He also advises against smoking, noting that the chemicals in tobacco can cause cancer in the lungs, on the lips and other areas, and also affect the respiratory system. Exercise is very important because it helps the body to get rid of toxins, Dr. Ramos added. Research has shown that exercise may lower cancer risk by helping control weight, reduce sex hormones or insulin, and strengthen the immune system. In fact, exercise can also boost quality of life during cancer treatment. www.slyoumag.com | February - April 2020 ” Preventing the disease is better than treating it, so it is important that the population takes into consideration the early diagnosis of cancer. They should visit the specialist to conduct screening studies. “I prefer to treat the patient without cancer or at the earliest stage, which is prevention,” said Dr. Ramos. “However, if detected early, many cases can be cured.” Dr. Ramos’s educational background includes graduating from the Universidad de Ciencias Medicas Cuba (Doctor of Medicine, 1982-1988), Oncologist 1996, and Instituto de Oncología Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba (Post grado Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, 1997). His professional background includes serving as Oncologist Specialist in Antigua & Barbuda from January 2005 to present, and Oncologist Consultant in Saint Lucia from June 2012 and St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 2018 to present. SL-YOU | It’s All About Business 37