Posted in: Uncategorized by cancerhealercenter
We are made up of around hundred million million cells with more than 200 different types of cells. And cancer is a disease which is caused by uncontrollable division of abnormal cells. This uncontrollable growth causes the formation of lumps called tumors. These tumors are of two types:
Benign tumor: Non cancerous tumor, localized and rarely spreads to the other parts of the body
Malignant tumor: Cancerous, and can spread to other parts of the body
There are more than 200 different types of cancers as there are more than 200 different types of cells. Cancer develops gradually as a result of a complex mix of factors related to environment, lifestyle, and heredity. Scientists have identified many risk factors that increase the chance of getting cancer. They estimate that about 80 percent of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, to what we eat and drink, or, to a lesser extent, to exposure to radiation or cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) in the environment and the workplace. Some people are more sensitive than others to factors that can cause cancer. Many risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as inherited risk factors, are, unavoidable. It is helpful to be aware of them, but it is also important to keep in mind that not everyone with a particular risk factor for cancer actually gets the disease; in fact, most do not. Few of the risk factors include:
Age: The chances of getting cancer increases as you grow old
Genetic mutation: Sometimes a person born with a genetic mutation might have an increased chance of getting a particular type of cancer. Example women born with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Note: This is not always true
Tobacco: Smoking tobacco, using smokeless tobacco, and passive smoking are responsible for one-third of all cancer deaths
Diet: Your choice of foods may affect your chance of developing cancer. Evidence points to a link between a high-fat diet and certain cancers, such as cancer of the breast, colon, uterus, and prostate
Sunlight: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from other sources (such as sunlamps and tanning booths) damages the skin and can cause skin cancer
Alcohol: Drinking large amount of alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, and larynx
Radiation: X-rays used for diagnosis expose you to a very little radiation and the benefits nearly always outweigh the risks. However, repeated exposure can be harmful
Chemicals: chemicals and other substances in the workplace such as metals, dust chemicals, or pesticides can increase the risk of cancer
A cancer can cause different symptoms depending on its location but few of the most common symptoms include:
Unexplained weight loss
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Changes in the moles of your skin
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Fever: usually after the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body
Feeling tired all the time
Breathlessness
Continuous pain in a certain part of the body ex: a headache that does not go away might be a symptom of brain tumor, a lump in the breast may be a symptom of breast cancer, etc.
If any of the above mentioned symptoms are encountered on a regular basis than a Doctor should be consulted immediately. Also know that these symptoms may occur due to other health problems. There are several treatments available for cancer. Few of the most common traditional treatments include- Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Surgery, Hormone therapy etc. But most of these treatments result in side effects like hair loss, damage to normal cells, bone loss etc. However a new treatment developed in this field called Immunotherapy fights cancer without any major side effects. Know more about the treatment here: Immunotherapy
