Cancer
When did you first hear about cancer? We have seen
movies, heard stories and read about cancer almost everywhere. Even
our favorite actors and actresses have portrayed the role of a
cancer victim in a movie. We may have even learned about a
colleague, a friend, or a close relative being diagnosed with the
disease, and always, our initial reaction is that of shock and
pity. But when did it really occur to you how serious this disease
is, and those who have them suffer a great deal, both physically
and emotionally. We have been made aware about this fatal disease
and that it can pick anyone,
no matter what race, color, age or stature you have
in society. Let's know more about this feared disease and how it
affects us physically.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by
uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to
invade other tissues, either by growth to adjacent tissue through
invasion or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis
(spread of cancer from its primary sites to other places).
Metastasis is defined as the stage in which cancer cells are
transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
The risk of this disease increases with age, although it may
affect people at all ages. There are many types of cancer, but the
severity of symptoms may vary and depend on the site and character
of the malignancy and if whether or not there is metastasis. To
diagnose the disease usually requires the histologic examination of
tissue by a pathologist. The tissue is obtained by biopsy or
surgery. Depending on the specific type, location and stage of a
cancer, most can usually be treated.
Damage to DNA causes the unregulated growth that characterizes
cancer, resulting in mutations to genes that encode for proteins
controlling cell division. Many mutation occurrences entail the
transformation of a normal cell into a malignant cell. These
mutations can be caused by chemicals or physical agents called
carcinogens, by close exposure to radioactive materials, or by
certain viruses that can insert their DNA into human genome. Germ
line mutations are passed down to generations.
Once a person is diagnosed of the disease, treatments would
usually be a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and
radiotherapy. With modern research and developments, treatments of
the disease are becoming more specific for the type of cancer
pathology. There are now a lot of drugs that target specific
cancers. If this disease is untreated, it may eventually cause
illness and death, though it is not always the case.
Many forms of cancer are linked with a person's exposure to
environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, radiation, alcohol and
certain viruses. Although some of these can be avoided, there is no
known method or way to avoid the disease. Public health and
vaccination programs also play an important role on a global
scale.
Colon Cancer
Globally, colorectal cancer also called colon cancer or bowel
cancer is the third leading cause of cancer. The frequency of
colorectal cancer varies around the world; it is common in the
Western world and rare in Asia and Africa. In countries...
Oral Cancer
Oral cavity or the mouth includes many parts: the lips; the lining
inside the lips and the cheeks (buccal mucosa); the teeth, the
bottom (floor) of the mouth under the tongue; the bony top of the
mouth (hard plate); the gums; and the small area...
Bladder Cancer
The bladder plays a very important role in the totality of our
health. It functions as a reservoir for urine in our bodies. When
the kidneys filter waste from the blood, urine is produced that
enters into the bladder through two tubes called...
Liver Cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma commonly known as liver cancer is a deadly
cancer. It will kill almost all patients who have it within a year.
The World Health Organization estimated approximately four hundred
thirty thousand new cases of liver cancer...
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide, causing up
to three million deaths annually. Only one in ten patients
diagnosed with this disease will survive the next five years.
Although this was an illness that previously affected...
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