Two nights ago, while my brother and I were having our dinner at the dining, after we had giggled upon seeing a hilarious video, he showed me the picture of a lady who needed $5k to cure the brain tumor that had stolen her sight, we both shared the deep feeling of pity for her at that moment and talked on about cancer.
Having always wanted to know more about cancer (you might too, especially if you've seen or read 'the fault in our stars'), I decided to research and write about cancer that night.
Now, let me tell you all you need to know about cancer, it really is an interesting topic, see for yourself.
Definition, types, characteristics, causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of cancer.
Definition of cancer
Cancer is truly deadly and much dreaded than any other disease, even viral ones. But you need to know this; there is no cancer without tumor, cancer is also known as 'malignant tumor' or 'malignant neoplasm'. So, if you are wondering what on earth does 'tumor' means, well I'll tell you .
Tumor first of all, is a Latin word for 'swelling' and it is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation (they are: heat, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function). A tumor most times is used as a synonym for neoplasm (though some neoplasm do not form a tumor) that appears enlarged in size.
Tumor first of all, is a Latin word for 'swelling' and it is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation (they are: heat, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function). A tumor most times is used as a synonym for neoplasm (though some neoplasm do not form a tumor) that appears enlarged in size.
Since, cancer is a malignant Tumor, you should as well be told what a malignant tumor is. A malignant tumor is a tumor which invades its surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Therefore, Cancer is a disease that involves abnormal cell growth with the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Cancer being such a distinct kind of disease, sadly has over 100 different types and all affect humans, few are :
Therefore, Cancer is a disease that involves abnormal cell growth with the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Cancer being such a distinct kind of disease, sadly has over 100 different types and all affect humans, few are :
- Adrenal cancer
- Anal cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Bone cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer (both in men and women)
- Cervical cancer
- Rectum cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Esophagus cancer
- Eye cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Penile cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Vaginal cancer
and the list goes on, it is like cancer could attack almost every organ of the body, any organ.
Now, let's move to the characteristics of cancer.
Now, let's move to the characteristics of cancer.
Characteristics of cancer
Cancer is self-sufficient in growth signalling, insensitive to anti-growth signals (it keeps on growing no matter what), it can evade apoptosis ( natural or programmed cell death), it enables a limitless replicative potential, induces and sustains angiogenesis( a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from benign state in to a malignant one) and finally, it activates metastasis (the spread of cancer from one organ or part to another not directly related to it) and invasion of tissue.
All those traits? wow, some hell of a strong disease it really is.
All those traits? wow, some hell of a strong disease it really is.
Causes of cancer
Research has made it known that 90-95% of cancer cases were caused due to environmental factors. The remaining 5-10% are due to inherited genetics.
The environmental factors include tobacco, diet and obesity, infections, radiation, stress, lack of physical activity and environmental pollutants. cancer is generally not a transmissible disease.
Exposure to particular substances have been linked to specific types of cancer. These substances are called carcinogens.
Tobacco smoking, for example , causes 90% of lung cancer. Tobacco is responsible for about one in three of all cancer deaths in the developed world.
In Western Europe, 10% of cancers in male and 3% in females are attributed to alcohol consumption, especially cancer of the liver and of the digestive tract.
Every year, at least 200,000 people worldwide die due to cancer related to what they are being exposed to at work, for example, people working were there is an exposure to benzene stand a great risk of having lukemia(cancer of the bone marrow. ).
The environmental factors include tobacco, diet and obesity, infections, radiation, stress, lack of physical activity and environmental pollutants. cancer is generally not a transmissible disease.
Exposure to particular substances have been linked to specific types of cancer. These substances are called carcinogens.
Tobacco smoking, for example , causes 90% of lung cancer. Tobacco is responsible for about one in three of all cancer deaths in the developed world.
In Western Europe, 10% of cancers in male and 3% in females are attributed to alcohol consumption, especially cancer of the liver and of the digestive tract.
Every year, at least 200,000 people worldwide die due to cancer related to what they are being exposed to at work, for example, people working were there is an exposure to benzene stand a great risk of having lukemia(cancer of the bone marrow. ).
Symptoms of cancer
The symptoms of cancer depend on the location of the Tumor. At the initial stage , cancer invariably produces no symptoms, they only appear as the mass continues to grow.
For example, mass effect from lung cancer can result in blockage of the bronchus, leading to cough or pneumonia.
esophageal cancer can cause narrowing of the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow, even painful.
The general effects of cancer include: unintentional weight loss, fever, tiredness, and skin changes.
The medical tests used in the diagnosis of cancer include blood tests, x-rays, CT scans and endoscopy and it is confirmed by biopsy.
For example, mass effect from lung cancer can result in blockage of the bronchus, leading to cough or pneumonia.
esophageal cancer can cause narrowing of the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow, even painful.
The general effects of cancer include: unintentional weight loss, fever, tiredness, and skin changes.
The medical tests used in the diagnosis of cancer include blood tests, x-rays, CT scans and endoscopy and it is confirmed by biopsy.
Prevention and Treatment of cancer
Cancer can be prevented by avoiding the risk factors which are the environmental factors mentioned earlier.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with cytotoxic anti-neoplastic drugs . These drugs act by killing the rapidly dividing cancerous cells.
The efficacy of cancer depends on the type of cancer and the stage. In combination with surgery, chemotherapy has proven useful in a number of cancer cases.
Immunotherapy as well, helps in stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.
Well, that's all I've got to share with you on cancer .
Till next time.
Stay healthy, stay strong.
Immunotherapy as well, helps in stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.
Well, that's all I've got to share with you on cancer .
Till next time.
Stay healthy, stay strong.
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