Cancer
Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells. These cells are called cancer cells, malignant cells or tumor cells. These abnormal cells can enter the normal cells and affect the normal body tissue consequently. The division of cells is fast and uncontrolled. If a normal cell gets affected, it usually dies. Cancer can travel to other parts of the body and affect the whole body of an individual.
Types
There are researches being carried on to date in order to know the types of cancer. The most common and known types of cancers are:
- Breast cancer which occurs in both male and female
- Colon and rectal
- Kidney
- Endometrial
- Leukemia
- Lung
- Mouth
- Melanoma
- Lymphoma
- Pancreatic
- Prostate
- Thyroid
The three most common cancers which are currently prevailing worldwide are:
- Men: Prostate, Colorectal, Lung
- Women: Breast, lung, colorectal
- Children: Leukemia, brain tumors, lymphoma
The occurrence of cancer and its types depend on many factors such as age of the individual, gender, race, environmental factors, diet and genetics.
Causes
Cancer may be caused by various reasons. They are as follows:
- Genetics: Many cancers are linked to an individual’s genes. These include ovarian, colorectal, prostate, skin and melanoma cancers.
- Pathogens: There are various pathogens which may be responsible for various kinds of cancers.
- Ionizing radiation: Uranium, ultraviolet radiation, radiation from the alpha, beta and gamma and X ray emitting sources.
- Chemical or toxic exposure to certain compounds: Asbestos, Benzene, Nickel, Cadmium, Vinyl chloride, N nitrosamines, tobacco and cigarette smoke contains more than 60 carcinogenic chemicals and toxins.
Symptoms
The symptoms of every type of cancer can differ from each other. For example, women with breast cancer have breast excretions through their nipples, or they may have a lump in the breast. There are some random symptoms which you can check for in yourself, so as to know if you have cancer or not. They are as follows:
- A sore throat that is not healing
- Unusual bleeding or discharges for example discharge from the nipples or a sore that would not heal.
- Thickening or a lump in the breast or testicles or any other part of the body.
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Change in the size, shape, color of a wart or mole
- Cough or hoarseness in voice
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Pain in the bones, which is worsening with time
- Fatigue, nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained mild fevers
- Recurring infections
Although these symptoms may arise from conditions apart from cancer, but they may also indicate cancer. So, it is always advisable to discuss with your doctor.
Treatment
Cancer may be treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Sometimes, a combination of ways is required to treat the condition completely.
There are certain home remedies which have proven very useful in treating the cancerous cells and eliminating them forever. Though there is no good evidence for them, but they can be tried after discussing them with your doctor.
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