Chapter – 11
Cancer
Cancer cures smoking -The Fresh Quote
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues.
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die and new cells take their place. When cancer develops, however, this orderly process breaks down. As cells become more and more abnormal, old and damaged cells survive when they should die. New cells are formed even if they are not needed. These extra cells can divide without stopping and may form growth called tumors.
Many cancers form solid tumors, which are masses of tissue. Cancers of the blood, such as leukemias, generally do not form solid tumors.
Cancer tumors are of two kinds – malignant and benign. Cancer tumors are called malignant, when they can spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. In addition, as these tumors grow, some cancer cells can break off from their original site and travel to distance places in the body through the blood and the lymph system. There they form new tumors from the original site. These tumors are called metastasis. Unlike the malignant tumors, benign tumors do not spread into or invade nearby tissues. However, benign tumors sometimes can be large and can put pressure on the surrounding organs. When removed, they usually don’t grow back. Some benign tumors, depending upon the location (like-brain) can be life threatening.
How Cancer Arises
Cancer is a genetic disease – that is, it is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.
Genetic changes that can cause cancer can be inherited from our parents. They can also arise during a person’s lifetime as a result of errors that occur as cells divide or because of damage to DNA (genetic material) caused by certain environmental exposure. Cancer – causing environmental exposures include substances such as the chemicals in tobacco products and radiation, such ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Every person’s cancer has unique combination of genetic changes. As the cancer continues to grow, additional changes will occur and new cancers will be found.
Kinds of Cancer
There are many different kinds of cancer.
The most Common Cancers are:
- Skin
- Breast
- Prostate
- Lung
- Colon and Rectum
- Bladder
- Uterine cancer (cancer of the Womb)
- Vagina and Vulvar Cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemias (Blood Cancer)
Major Killers
- Lung
- Colon and rectum
- Breast
- Prostate
- Pancreas
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Ovarian
- Stomach
- Brain and nervous system
Risk Factors
It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain factors, called the risk factors – like growing older – cannot be avoided, others – like using tobacco – can be.
Factors that are known to Increase the Risk of Cancer:
- Cigarette smoking and tobacco use.
- Infections
- Radiation
- Immunosuppressive medicines.
Factors that may affect the risk of Cancer
- Diet
- Alcohol
- Physical activity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Environmental risk factors
Cigarette smoking and tobacco use:
Tobacco use is strongly linked to an increased risk for many kinds of cancer. Smoking cigarettes or bidis is the leading cause of the following types of cancer.
- Acutemyelogenous leukemia (AML).
- Bladder cancer.
- Esophageal cancer (food pipe).
- Kidney cancer.
- Lung cancer.
- Oral cavity cancer (mouth).
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Stomach cancer.
Scientists believe that 30% of all cancer deaths are due to cigarette smoking and tobacco use.
Infections
Certain viruses and bacteria are able to cause cancer. In developing countries, they are responsible for about 1 in 4 cases of cancer. Examples of cancer-causing viruses and bacteria include:
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) increases the risk of the cancer of the cervix, penis, vagina, anus and oropharynx (mouth and throat).
- Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses increase the risk for liver cancer.
- Epstein – Barr virus increases the risk of Burkett lymphoma.
- HelicobacterPylori(H. pylori.) increases the risk of stomach ulcer and stomach cancer.
Radiation
- Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight causes skin cancer.
- Ionizing radiation from x-ray, CT scan and nuclear exposure can cause leukemia, thyroid cancer, breast cancer and cancer of stomach, colon, esophagus, bladder and ovary.
Immunosuppressive Medicines
Immunosuppressive medicines are linked to an increased risk of cancer. These medicines lower the body’s ability to stop cancer from forming. These medicines are used to keep a patient from rejecting an organ transplant.
Factors that May Affect the Risk of Cancer
Diet: Some studies have shown that a diet high in fat, proteins, calories and red meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer, but other studies have not shown this. Some studies show that fruits and non-starchy vegetables may protect against cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.Fruits may also protect against lung cancer.
Alcohol: Studies have shown that drinking alcohol is linked to an increased risk of the following types of cancers:
- Oral cancer.
- Esophageal cancer.
- Breast cancer.
- Colorectal cancer (in men).
- Liver cancer (may)
Physical Activity
Studies show a strong link between physical activity and a lower risk of colorectal and may be breast and endometrial cancer.
Obesity: Studies show that obesity is linked to a higher risk of the following types of cancer:
- Breast cancer.
- Colorectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Diabetes: Some studies show that having diabetes may slightly increase the risk of having the following types of cancer.
- Bladder
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Endometrial
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Oral cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Environmental Risk Factors
Being exposed to chemicals and other substances in the environment has been linked to some cancers.
- Link between air pollution and cancer risk have been found. These include links between lung cancer and second hand tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution and asbestos.
- Drinking water that contains a large amount of arsenic has been linked to skin, bladder and lung cancer.
- Studies have shown that pesticides and other pollutants increase the risk of cancer. These studies have been unclear.
Symptoms
Cancer can cause many different symptoms depending on the type and location. These are some of them.
- Skin changes, such asanew mole or a change in existing mole or a sore that does not heal.
- Breast changes, such as:
- Change in size or shape of the breast or nipple.
- Change in texture of breast skin.
- Hoarseness or cough that does not go away.
- Changes in bowel habits.
- Difficult or painful urination.
- Problems with eating such as:
- Discomfort after eating.
- A hard time swallowing.
- Changes in appetite.
- Weight gain or loss with no known reason.
- Abdominal pain.
- Unusual bleeding or discharge including-
- Blood in the urine.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Blood in the stool.
- Feeling weak or very tired.
Most often, these symptoms are not always due to cancer. They may also be caused by other health problems. If you have symptoms that last for a couple of weeks, it is important to see a doctor. Earlier the diagnosis better is the treatment outcome.
Preventing Cancer
You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices like avoiding tobacco products, protecting your skin from sun, keeping healthy weight, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.
Tobacco
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Compared to nonsmokers, men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer and women who smoke are about 13 times more likely. Chewing tobacco products cause mouth cancers. Tobacco kills up to half its users (WHO).
Protecting Your Skin
Exposure to ultra violet (UV) rays from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Protect yourself from sun by seeking shade, using sun screen, and wearing protective clothing, hat and sunglasses.
Reducing Excessive Alcohol Use
Alcohol use increases the risk of several cancers – oral, esophageal, breast, colorectal cancer. Limit alcohol use or avoid it altogether.
Vaccination
Get – Hepatitis B and Hepatitis – C vaccination to prevent hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer.
Human papillomavirus (vaccine) HPV will prevent cervical cancer, cancer of the vagina and cancer of the penis and mouth.
Cancers Screening Services
Some cancers can be diagnosed by routine screening of high-risk individuals.
- Mammogram – Breast Cancer
- Pap smear – Cervical cancer
- Pelvic Exam. – Vaginal and Vulva cancer
- Colonoscopy – For colorectal cancer
- Stool in the blood – Cancer of the stomach, colon, rectum
- Hepatitis C. Screening – to diagnose liver disease leading to cancer
- Low Dose Computed – for lung cancer
Tomography (LDCT)
- Prostate Specific Antigen – Prostate cancer
(PSA)
- Genetic Test – like BRAC – Genes for breast cancer
If you are in doubt, get it tested. However, not all screening tests are helpful and some have risks. Most have false positive and false negative results. They lead to over diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms or your screening test result suggests cancer, the doctor must find out whether it is cancer or something else. After a physical examination your doctor may order more blood test, scans, or biopsy.
Lab. Test
- Blood
- Urine
- Stool
Imaging Procedures
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- X-Rays
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which the doctor removes a sample of tissue and sends it to a pathologist who looks for cancer cells:
- Needle biopsy
- Open biopsy(with surgery)
Cancer outlook (Prognosis)
Even though most people think it is, a diagnosis of cancer is not always a death sentence. Many factors can affect the outcome. Some of the factors that affect prognosis (outcome) are:
- The type of cancer and location in the body.
- The stage of cancer stage 1 to IV, stage I is better than Stage IV.
- The cancer’s grade. Grade provides clues about how quickly the cancer is likely to grow and spread.
- Certain traits (genetic markers) of the cancer cells.
- Your age and how healthy you were before your cancer diagnosis.
- How you respond to treatment. Each individual respond differently to the same treatment.
Doctors estimate outlook (prognosis) by using statistics based on prior research. Because statistics are based on large group of people, they cannot predict exactly what will happen to you. Everyone is different. Treatments and how people respond to treatment can differ greatly. But early diagnosis is the key.
