Cancer

What is Cancer?

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth and division of cells forming a lump type structure or a mass of tissues known as tumor. These tumors occur in the body releasing hormones that disturb the normal body functions.

Cancerous tumors are of two types namely benign and malignant. Benign tumor grows at a fixed spot in the body which can be diagnosed and cured, but malignant tumor travels throughout the body from where it has originated and is often incurable.

Lack of information on cancer can be reduced through cancer awareness centers imparting information on cancer and its treatments. Cancer risk factors involve environment and addiction.

Causes of Cancer

Excess consumption of tobacco and alcohol increases probability of mouth, lung and liver cancer that leads to cause hundreds of deaths all over the world.

Exposure to hazardous substance like asbestos in day to day life or at work place accompanying several other environmental factors such as direct sunlight, medical radiations, pollution and pesticides can become causes of cancer.

Genetic factors can be defined as causes for cancer but it is very difficult to identify such factors due to their complex nature and structure.

Symptoms of Cancer

Ulcers in mouth which don’t heal easily along white spots on tongue and timorous formation in throat, difficulty in swallowing and digesting food, constant coughing with discharge of blood are some prominent cancer symptoms.

Lumps in breast area, uneven shapes or size, invert nipples, abnormal bleeding are some definite symptoms of cancer diagnosed in females. The patient experiences constant fever and weakness because of sudden weight loss. This happens due to breakdown of body immune system.

A number of these symptoms can be cured through cancer treatments which are determined only after a full diagnosis of the disease and condition of the patient.

Some of the common types of cancer can be categorized as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Carcinoma is found in skin covering internal organs while sarcoma affects blood vessels, muscles and bones. Leukemia targets bone marrow producing numerous abnormal cells whereas lymphoma affects the cells of immune system.

Some common forms of cancer affect the organs of central nervous system such as brain and spinal cord.

Treatment for Cancer

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the treatment for cancer but some cancers may require a combination of the same. Along with treatment, a patient has to be very cautious about cancer risk factors posed by radiation therapy.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can carry considerable risks of damaging side effects that can be long term and give rise to other health issues as well. Nonetheless, along with treatment, self supervision and control on food and eating habits is also important.

Patient’s determination to get rid of this disease plays an important role to lessen the cancer as well as risk factors such as negative emotions, smoking and drinking habit.