Cancer-
-Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled reproduction
of the cells, which results in the death of surrounding tissue. These cells can
metastasize, or travel to other body areas and kill the tissue until the host
succumbs to the disease.
-Cancer is often defined by which body organ it begins at, so if it was to start in the lungs; it would be defined as lung cancer.
-It is caused by genetics and environmental factors, with the latter known as carcinogens. These carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer dramatically depending on length and magnitude of exposure.
-Possible carcinogens include-
-Cancer can be difficult to detect from the following symptoms, as some are shared by other, more common diseases. For example, blood-tinged stools are often signs of hemorrhoids even though cancer can also be a cause. Most often, cancer is not detected until the symptoms become more pronounced so the following is just a general guide.
-Cancer is extremely difficult to treat as cells can travel to other parts of the body and reduce the effectiveness of any treatments.
-Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two widely used treatments as they can inhibit the growth and spread of the cancer cells but they have the potential to harm other vital body cells.
-Surgery is a viable option, but only if the cancer is detected early.
-There are many other experimental treatments, such as hyperthermia, or the use of heat to kill the cancer cells but very few of these are a current option.
-Self-examination is the best way to prevent or to treat cancer as possible symptoms can be treated early and complications can be avoided.
-It is very possible that a tumor may be benign, or harmless. A doctor will decide whether the patient has to remove the tumor or to keep it.
-External Links
-Cancer is often defined by which body organ it begins at, so if it was to start in the lungs; it would be defined as lung cancer.
-It is caused by genetics and environmental factors, with the latter known as carcinogens. These carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer dramatically depending on length and magnitude of exposure.
-Possible carcinogens include-
- Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke
- Excessive alcohol use
- Radiation, including UV rays
- Asbestos
- Poor diet and obesity
- Cooking meat at high temperatures, including barbecues
-Cancer can be difficult to detect from the following symptoms, as some are shared by other, more common diseases. For example, blood-tinged stools are often signs of hemorrhoids even though cancer can also be a cause. Most often, cancer is not detected until the symptoms become more pronounced so the following is just a general guide.
- Constant cough and/or blood-tinged saliva (Head, Neck , or Lung Cancer)
- Change in bowel habits and/or pencil thin stools (Colon Cancer)
- Blood-tinged stools (Usually hemorrhoids but can exist with cancer)
- Unexpected anemia, or fewer than expected red blood cells
- Breast lumps/discharge (Breast Cancer)
- Lump(s) on the Testicles
- Changes in urination
- Persistent lumps
- Enlarged Prostate (Prostate Cancer)
-Cancer is extremely difficult to treat as cells can travel to other parts of the body and reduce the effectiveness of any treatments.
-Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two widely used treatments as they can inhibit the growth and spread of the cancer cells but they have the potential to harm other vital body cells.
-Surgery is a viable option, but only if the cancer is detected early.
-There are many other experimental treatments, such as hyperthermia, or the use of heat to kill the cancer cells but very few of these are a current option.
-Self-examination is the best way to prevent or to treat cancer as possible symptoms can be treated early and complications can be avoided.
-It is very possible that a tumor may be benign, or harmless. A doctor will decide whether the patient has to remove the tumor or to keep it.
-External Links
- Guide for self-examination: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening
- Guide for various treatments: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/treatment/types-of-treatment