Symptoms of Cancer Explained
Whether you've been diagnosed with the disease or are currently looking for more information, any symptoms of cancer can be alarming and frightening. But there is help out there — and even cancer has a cure. However, not all cancers are treatable. However, there is still hope if it's currently in the early stages.
People today are not too informed about cancer. That is why many are afraid of getting it. But is it serious? What does it cause? Is cancer dangerous? Get to know more about cancer and the symptoms of cancer here.
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Cancer:
What is cancer? Well, this question is surprisingly difficult to answer. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and they all have different causes and effects on the body. Cancer is an abnormal growth of the cells that can spread and form new tumors throughout the body where it spreads. The point of this is that there are so many different types of cancer that trying to explain them all at once will be immensely difficult and boring. The majority of cancers are called for the spot where they first appear. For example, lung cancer develops in the lungs, but breast cancer begins in the breast. Cancer can spread from where it started (the primary tumor) to other body areas.
How does cancer spread in the body?
Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body working normally. But sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when your body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a tissue mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant:
Benign tumors aren't cancerous. They can often be removed, and they usually don't come back. Cells in benign tumors don't spread to other parts of the body. Most importantly, benign tumors hardly pose a life-threatening hazard.
Malignant tumors are cancerous. They can sometimes be removed by surgery, but they can grow back again (recur).
Risk Factor of Cancer:
Cancer risk factors can be divided into two categories: non-modifiable and modifiable.
Non-modifiable risk factors include age, sex, and genetics. The older you are, the higher your risk for developing cancer. The same goes for being male—men have a higher risk of developing cancer than women. And some people inherit genes from their parents that put them at higher risk for developing cancer. Some cancers are more likely to occur in specific ethnic groups than others.
Modifiable risk factors include tobacco use, diet and nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, infection with certain viruses or bacteria, exposure to radiation or other carcinogens in the environment (chemicals that cause cancer), and alcohol consumption. The most important modifiable risk factor is tobacco use; those who smoke are at a much higher risk of developing certain types of cancer than those who don't smoke.
Symptoms of Cancer:
Cancer is a serious condition that can lead to death if not detected and treated. If you suspect you or a loved one may be developing cancer, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Cancer can affect your body's ability to function normally.
Some symptoms of cancer are:
A lump or thickening under the skin or other tissues
Weight loss without trying
Fever
Feeling very tired for no reason
Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool) that last for a long time
Changes in bladder habits (such as needing to urinate more often than usual) that last for a long time
Trouble breathing when exercising that doesn't get better over time
Pain that doesn't go away, such as headaches or back pain
Cause of Cancer:
Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% are due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, or excessive drinking of alcohol. Other risks include infections, absorbing radiation exposure, and exposure to contaminants in the environment. 15% of cancers in the developing world are due to Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human papillomavirus infection, Epstein–Barr virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These factors act, at least partly, by changing a cell's genes. Before cancer may start, multiple genetic alterations are usually necessary. Approximately 5–10% of cancers are caused by genetic abnormalities passed down from parents. Certain indications and symptoms, as well as screening tests, can help diagnose cancer. Medical imaging is usually used to explore further and confirm it.
source: Indus Health Plus
Conclusion:
Learn to spot the symptoms of cancer and understand the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of cancer so that you can save a life. I highly recommend that others include this post in their newsletters to keep people on top of this serious issue.
We have also written an article about the treatment of Cancer. Here is the link: