What is Cancer
Cancer is really a group of diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, but they all are a disease of some of the body’s cells.
Healthy cells that make up the body’s tissues grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly way. This process keeps the body in good repair. Sometimes, however, normal cells lose their ability to limit and direct their growth. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order. Too much tissue is produced and tumours begin to form.
Tumours can be either benign or malignant.
Benign tumours are not cancer.
They do not spread to other parts of the body and they are seldom a threat to life. Often, benign tumours can be removed by surgery, and they are not likely to return. Malignant tumours are cancer.
They can invade and destroy nearby tissue and organs. Cancer cells also can spread to other parts of the body and form new tumours.
Because cancer can spread, it is important for the doctor to find out as early as possible if a tumour is present and if it is cancer. As soon as a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer and other illnesses often cause a number of problems you can watch for. The most common warning signs of cancer are:
Change in bowel or bladder habits;
A sore that does not heal;
Unusual bleeding or discharge;
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere;
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing;
Obvious change in a wart or mole;
Nagging cough or hoarseness.
These signs and symptoms can be caused by cancer or by a number of other problems. They are not a sure sign of cancer. However, it is important to see a doctor if any problem lasts as long as two weeks. Don’t wait for symptoms to become painful; pain is not an early sign of cancer.
Preventing Cancer
By choosing a lifestyle that avoids certain risks, you can help protect yourself from developing cancer. Many cancers are linked to factors that you can control.
Tobacco - Smoking and using tobacco in any form has been directly linked to cancer. Overall, smoking causes 30 per cent of all cancer deaths. The risk of developing lung cancer is 10 times greater for smokers than for nonsmokers. The amount of risk from smoking depends on the number and type of cigarettes you smoke, how long you have been smoking, and how deeply you inhale. Smokers are also more likely to develop cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas and bladder. And now there is emerging evidence that smoking can also cause cancer of the stomach and cervix.
The use of “smokeless” tobacco (chewing tobacco and oral snuff) increases the risk of cancer of the mouth and pharynx. Once you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco, your risk of developing cancer begins to decrease right away.
Diet - What you eat may affect your chances of developing cancer. Scientists think there is a link between a high-fat diet and some cancers, particularly those of the breast, colon, and prostate. Obesity is thought to be linked with increased death rates for cancers of the prostate, pancreas, breast, and ovary. Still other studies point to an increased risk of getting stomach cancer for those who frequently eat pickled, cured and smoked foods.
Sunlight - Repeated exposure to sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer, especially if you have fair skin or freckle easily. In fact, ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet rays are strongest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the summer, so that is when risk is greatest. Protective clothing, such as a hat and long sleeves, can help block out the sun’s harmful rays. You can also use sunscreens to help protect yourself. Sunscreens with a number 15 on the label means most of the sun’s harmful rays will be blocked out.
Alcohol - Drinking large amounts of alcohol (one or two drinks a day is considered moderate) is associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and liver. People who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol have an especially high risk of getting cancers of the mouth and esophagus.
X-rays - Large doses of radiation increase cancer risk. Although individual X-rays expose you to very little radiation, repeated exposure can be harmful. Therefore, it is a good idea to avoid unnecessary X-rays.
Industrial agents and chemicals - Exposure to some industrial agents or chemicals increases cancer risk. Industrial agents cause damage by acting alone or together with another cancer-causing agent found in the workplace or with cigarette smoke. For example, inhaling asbestos fibers increases the risk of lung disease and cancer. This risk is especially high for workers who smoke.
Being exposed to large amounts of household solvent cleaners, cleaning fluids and paint thinners should be avoided. Some chemicals are especially dangerous if inhaled in high concentrations, particularly in areas that are not well ventilated. In addition, inhaling or swallowing lawn and garden chemicals increases cancer risk.
Follow label instructions carefully when using pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals.
Such chemicals should not come in contact with toys or other household items.
Hormones - Taking estrogen to relieve menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes) has been associated with higher-than-average rates of cancer of the uterus.
Story from the Daily Press