Facts on Cancer
Cancer is a broad term that is used to describe many different diseases. It refers to any one of a large
number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells in your body that grow out of
control and crowd out normal cells. Usually, body cells divide to form new cells and replace old or
damaged cells as part of a natural process. In cancer, new cells start to form rapidly even when they are
not needed. Cancer often has the capacity to spread throughout your body and can start in almost any
cell of the human body. Some cancers are known to grow slowly, while others can grow quickly. Many
also form solid tumors, which are in fact growths of tissue. Tumors can either be malignant (cancerous)
or benign (noncancerous).
Cancer is a genetic disease, which basically means it is caused by changes in genes that control the way
cells grow and divide in your body. The modification of such genes, also called “mutations” cause a
variety of changes that can make a cell cancerous in nature. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death
in the world, after heart related diseases. But the survival rates are improving for so many types of
cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer treatment, screening and prevention.
Causes of Cancer
Anything that causes a normal body cell to develop abnormally can potentially cause cancer. Always
remember, cancer is not just one disease, but many. There can be many things that cause cell
abnormalities and have been linked to cancer development. Some may be developmentally influenced
due to a person’s genetic makeup, while some cancer causes still remain unknown. Other cancers have
lifestyle or environmental triggers and may develop from more than one known cause. Many patients
also develop cancer due to a combination of all these factors.
Although it is often difficult or impossible to determine the initiating reasons that cause cancer to
develop in a person, but one thing is for certain, you are much better off not getting it in the first place.
How is that done? Simply by avoiding the risks. Doctors understand quite a good deal about the causes
of cancer, and you should stay far away from them.
Listed below are some of the causes you can avoid:
Gene mutations or genetic predisposition
Unhealthy diets
Tobacco use
Excessive alcohol intake
Certain infections like hepatitis C and B
Excessive sun exposure
Obesity and lack of physical activity
Environmental pollutants
Another notable fact is that the risk of cancer increases significantly with age.
Types of Cancer
There are more than 200 types of cancer; far too many for us to include in this introductory article.
However, here the most common and familiar ones:
Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Colon and rectal cancer
Leukemia
Skin cancer
Prostate cancer
Liver cancer
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Endometrial cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Melanoma
Thyroid cancer
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms and signs of cancer vary based on which part of the body is affected. Most of the signs
and symptoms may not be caused by cancer and can easily be because of other things.
Here are some of the more generic signs and symptoms that are associated with, but not specific to,
cancer:
Extreme tiredness or fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest
Area of thickening or lump that can be felt under the skin
Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain for no known reason
Changes in bladder or bowel habits
Hoarseness or cough that does not go away
Difficulty in swallowing or nausea and vomiting
Unexplained bleeding or bruising for no known reason
Unexplained fevers or night sweats
Lump or thickening in the breast or any other part of the body
Hearing or vision problems
Unexplained joint or muscle pain
Mouth changes like sores, bleeding, pain, or numbness
The signs and symptoms that are listed above are the more common ones seen with cancer, but there
are many others that are not listed. If you notice any major changes, in the way you feel or the way your
body works, especially if it has a lasting effect or is getting worse, you should see a doctor to find out
what’s causing it.
Options for Cancer Treatment
The treatment for cancer depends on the type and the stage of the cancer. For some people, diagnosis
and treatment may occur at the same time, when the cancer is entirely removed through surgery.
Although most patients receive a unique protocoled treatment, most cancer treatments include the
following:
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery and target therapy
Most individuals also receive variations of these treatments for cancer.
Prevention
Doctors have recognised several ways to reduce the risk of cancer, such as:
Avoiding tobacco use
Avoiding excessive sun exposure
Changes in lifestyle
Eating a healthy diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables
Regular exercise
Maintaining a healthy weight
Vaccination against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus
Regular preventive complete body checkup
Scheduled cancer screening tests.
Understanding cancer and its symptoms and causes is extremely important, as then you can take the
necessary precautions to avoid it. It is also significant for immediate actions to be taken, if cancer is
detected.
