Cancer – Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
Cancer is a large group of diseases caused by the uncontrolled division of cells. When cancer cells divide too rapidly, they invade other organs and tissues, causing tumors. The cells can disrupt organ function and can cause severe pain. The disease affects approximately 1 in 6 people worldwide, and new treatments are being tested every day. Genetic mutations are the main cause of cancer. They are inherited but can also develop after birth. Cancer treatments differ by type and location of cancer.
Most cancers start in a normal cell, and a mutation in a proto-oncogene gene produces an internal signal for growth. This signals the cell to divide without requiring external signals. Cancer cells ignore anti-growth signals, and often lose their internal signals. This makes them resistant to chemotherapy and other treatments. They also continue to grow despite a slowing immune system, and a cure can be difficult. Cancer has a prognosis that varies from patient to patient, but it is not impossible.
The goal of treatment is to prevent and cure cancer. Treatments are constantly evolving. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and precision medicine are just some of the treatments available. New research and discoveries on cancer treatment are changing the face of medicine. These new treatments may include ‘designer drugs’. These drugs may block the blood supply needed for the growth of tumours, correct genetic mutations, and even help the body’s immune system fight cancer. Most patients with cancer do not feel any symptoms until they have had a diagnosis.
As we age, our risk of developing cancer increases. In the U.S., three out of four new cases of cancer occur in people over the age of 55. Children are especially susceptible to some forms of cancer, including childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Some cancers may be hereditary, meaning that a parent or grandparent had a high risk of developing a cancer. Lastly, some cancers can be caused by environmental factors, such as excessive exposure to sunlight, and may be genetic. Children with Down syndrome are also more likely to develop cancer.
While the primary cancer starts in an organ, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. It can also spread to distant organs, including the bones, lungs, and brain. Cancer is still named after the region where it started, so cancer in stage zero is considered to be ‘pre-cancerous’ by most healthcare providers. Different types of cancers include lymphoma and carcinoma, and it’s important to note that there are different stages of cancer.
Surgery is one of the oldest forms of cancer treatment. Three out of five cancer patients undergo surgery. In addition to cancer cells, healthy cells are removed, too, to ensure that cancer is eliminated. Surgical treatment has been around for centuries, and it is still the most common method of treatment for cancer. It may not be the right solution for every patient, but it can help your cancer fight. Once your body is fully prepared, the surgeon may recommend chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant.
Cancer is a large group of diseases caused by the uncontrolled division of cells. When cancer cells divide too rapidly, they invade other organs and tissues, causing tumors. The cells can disrupt organ function and can cause severe pain. The disease affects approximately 1 in 6 people worldwide, and new treatments are being tested every day. Genetic mutations are the main cause of cancer. They are inherited but can also develop after birth. Cancer treatments differ by type and location of cancer. Most cancers start in a normal cell, and a mutation in a proto-oncogene gene produces an internal signal for growth. This signals the cell to divide without requiring external signals. Cancer cells ignore anti-growth signals, and often lose their internal signals. This makes them resistant to chemotherapy and other treatments. They also continue to grow despite a slowing immune system, and a cure can be difficult. Cancer has a prognosis that varies from patient to patient, but it is not impossible. The goal of treatment is to prevent and cure cancer. Treatments are constantly evolving. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and precision medicine are just some of the treatments available. New research and discoveries on cancer treatment are changing the face of medicine. These new treatments may include ‘designer drugs’. These drugs may block the blood supply needed for the growth of tumours, correct genetic mutations, and even help the body’s immune system fight cancer. Most patients with cancer do not feel any symptoms until they have had a diagnosis. As we age, our risk of developing cancer increases. In the U.S., three out of four new cases of cancer occur in people over the age of 55. Children are especially susceptible to some forms of cancer, including childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Some cancers may be hereditary, meaning that a parent or grandparent had a high risk of developing a cancer. Lastly, some cancers can be caused by environmental factors, such as excessive exposure to sunlight, and may be genetic. Children with Down syndrome are also more likely to develop cancer. While the primary cancer starts in an organ, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. It can also spread to distant organs, including the bones, lungs, and brain. Cancer is still named after the region where it started, so cancer in stage zero is considered to be ‘pre-cancerous’ by most healthcare providers. Different types of cancers include lymphoma and carcinoma, and it’s important to note that there are different stages of cancer. Surgery is one of the oldest forms of cancer treatment. Three out of five cancer patients undergo surgery. In addition to cancer cells, healthy cells are removed, too, to ensure that cancer is eliminated. Surgical treatment has been around for centuries, and it is still the most common method of treatment for cancer. It may not be the right solution for every patient, but it can help your cancer fight. Once your body is fully prepared, the surgeon may recommend chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant.