CANCER
Cancer (also known as “Melignancy”) is an umbrella term for a large group of diseases caused when abnormal cells divide rapidly, and spread to other tissue and organs. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.
Types of Cancer
Cancers are named for the body area in which they begin and the type of cell they are made of, even if they spread to other parts of the body. For instance, a cancer which begins in the lungs and spreads to the liver is still called lung cancer. Other common types are Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Cervical Cancer etc. There are also several clinical terms used for certain general types of cancer:
- Carcinoma: Cancer that starts in the skin or the tissues that line other organs.
- Sarcoma Cancer of connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.
- Leukemia Cancer of bone marrow, which creates blood cells.
- Lymphoma and Myeloma are cancers of the immune system.
Causes of Cancer
There is not a solid cause for developing cancer. But we need to maintain and safeguard ourselves from certain factors like toxic lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of cancer. Take a look at some of the most common things which increase the chances of developing cancer:
Tobacco: Nicotine found in tobacco can increase your risk of cancer.
Foods: Foods which have added preservatives, pesticides and other harmful ingredients causes the risk of cancer. Try to avoid such foods as much as possible.
Genes: Some types of cancers are hereditary, like breast cancer. If you have genes running in your family which are faulty, it might cause cancer. Never miss your routine check-ups and full-body tests.
Environmental toxins: Exposure to toxic substances like arsenic, benzene, asbestos and more can be dangerous.
Radiation: Radiation may disassemble atoms and cause DNA damage in cells which can cause severe disease like cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk for cancer because you were exposed to radiation.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Leading a lifestyle with little or no physical activity can lead to chronic disease such as cancer. Smartphones are making this generation lazy and inactive. Set a particular time to use it, and focus on physical activities like exercise, dance, aerobics etc. The unhealthy diet also plays a major role in the futuristic formation of cancer.
Symptoms of Cancer
Since there are several types of cancers, the symptoms of each one of them vary. However, there are certain types of cancers which have generic signs which are prominent enough for you to point out. Take a look:
- Sudden weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Lump
- Changes in bowel and bladder functioning
- Severe skin changes
- Acute pain
Regular health check-ups and early detection of cancer is the only way possible to fight and win against this deadly disease. It is always best to consult with an expert and take advice and help at the right time.
Treatment of Cancer
Surgery: Surgically removes as much of the cancer as possible.
Chemotherapy: Uses medications that are toxic to cells to kill rapidly-dividing cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy: Uses powerful, focused beams of radiation inside (brachytherapy) or outside (external beam radiation) your body to kill cancer cells.
Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant: Repairs diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can have a variety of functions. These transplants allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy to treat the cancer.
Immunotherapy (Biological Therapy): Uses antibodies to help your body’s immune system recognize cancer so it can fight it off.
Hormone Therapy: Removes or blocks hormones that fuel certain cancers to stop cancer cells from growing.
Targeted Drug Therapy: Uses drugs to interfere with certain molecules that help cancer cells grow and survive.
Alternative Medicine: Used to decrease symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and pain. Alternative medicine includes:
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Massage
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Relaxation
Lifestyle tips to Prevent Cancer
Eat healthily and make it a lifestyle: Onion, garlic, brazil nuts are some of your best friends: All these have certain nutrients which help the body to produce cancer-fighting cells or agents and help them die naturally and prevent it from spreading all over in case of any potential.
Say no to Sugary Drinks: These drinks not only aid diabetes and obesity but can be the biggest cause of endometrial cancer as well. Research has shown that the women who are habitual of having sugary drinks have 87 per cent more chances of suffering from cancer because of the weight it adds up to the body.
Have superfood Broccoli: Broccoli is considered as a super cancer-fighting food. Nutritionists recommend to have steamed ones rather than boiling or frying it before consumption as it contains more healthy components of vegetables.
Green Tea, A Saviour: Many studies have found that tea drinkers have a reduced risk of ovarian, breast, prostate and lung cancer. ECGC, a chemical in green tea, could be one of the most powerful anti-cancer compounds due to the maximum number of antioxidants.
Maintain your body weight and be Physically Active: Maintaining body weight not only helps to prevent many diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and thyroid etc but proves to be the saviour from cancer as well. It is advised to include 30 minutes of physical activity in daily regime to keep you fit.
Say No to Tobacco: Using tobacco, especially smoking can lead to causing cancer. Even if you are exposed to smoking, you can be the potential cancer patient. Consult a doctor to take help in quitting any kind of tobacco for a healthy and risk-free life.
Be Sun Safe: Skin cancer is the most common and most preventable cancer in India. Following tips can help in the prevention of the same:
- Avoid going out in the sun during the strongest rays i.e. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Keep yourself covered when moving out in the sun.
- Wear darker shades which can reflect ultraviolet rays as compared to the pastel shades.
- Always put on your sunglasses while going out in the Sun. They are not just a style statement.
- Get proper medical care
Cancer prevention includes immunity from certain diseases like Hepatitis-B, HPV, HIV and Hepatitis-C. Get yourself vaccinated and do not share needles to prevent such kind of cancer-causing diseases. Go for regular screening of your body to detect any kind of risk related to cancer and get it treated on the early stage itself.
DISCLAIMER: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site. The Site and the Content are provided on an “as is” basis.
