Cancer – What is It and How Can It Affect You?
Cancer is a group of diseases that start when abnormal cells grow out of control. These abnormal cells may invade nearby tissue and cause a mass called a tumor. They may also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and form new tumors.
The cause of cancer is not fully understood, but scientists know that a number of things can trigger changes in cell DNA that make cancer cells grow out of control. These changes are called mutations, and can occur as a result of genetic inherited (hereditary) defects or environmental factors, such as chemicals or radiation.
These mistakes in the cell blueprint can change genes that normally help protect cells from harm and help them develop properly. The altered genes can tell the body to grow and divide too quickly, making more cells than it needs.
One way the body fights off these abnormalities is by removing dead or damaged cells through normal processes, such as blood and lymphatic circulation. But as people age, their bodies’ ability to do this decreases, leaving them vulnerable to cancer.
When a cancer is discovered, there are ways to treat it and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. These treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given as a pill or through a special intravenous line (IV), which is a tube that is placed into a vein through your skin.
Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to attack cancer cells directly or to shrink tumors before they are treated with other treatments.
Many of these treatments are available at most hospitals and community health centers. But they vary in their effectiveness and side effects. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Early Symptoms and Diagnosis
The size and location of a tumor will determine how you feel about it. Some tumors cause very little symptoms, while others cause serious problems that could be life-threatening if they are not detected and treated quickly.
Detecting cancer before it causes any problems is a goal of most doctors. This is because cancers that are found before they cause problems are easier to treat.
Risk factors for cancer – Most cancers are related to specific types of exposure to chemicals, physical and biological agents. These risk factors can be reduced through healthy habits, good nutrition and regular exercise, as well as reducing your exposure to tobacco and certain occupational carcinogens.
Prevention – The most effective ways to prevent cancer are to avoid smoking, to stop eating a diet that is high in fat and calories, and to get enough physical activity. You should also avoid being exposed to environmental carcinogens, such as asbestos, which can cause the mutations that lead to cancer.
A large amount of research is ongoing to develop new therapies for cancer. For example, researchers are working on personalized medicine and gene therapy to treat cancer based on the specific genes of each patient. These treatments have the potential to increase survival and improve quality of life for people with cancer.
Cancer is a group of diseases that start when abnormal cells grow out of control. These abnormal cells may invade nearby tissue and cause a mass called a tumor. They may also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and form new tumors. The cause of cancer is not fully understood, but scientists know that a number of things can trigger changes in cell DNA that make cancer cells grow out of control. These changes are called mutations, and can occur as a result of genetic inherited (hereditary) defects or environmental factors, such as chemicals or radiation. These mistakes in the cell blueprint can change genes that normally help protect cells from harm and help them develop properly. The altered genes can tell the body to grow and divide too quickly, making more cells than it needs. One way the body fights off these abnormalities is by removing dead or damaged cells through normal processes, such as blood and lymphatic circulation. But as people age, their bodies’ ability to do this decreases, leaving them vulnerable to cancer. When a cancer is discovered, there are ways to treat it and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. These treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given as a pill or through a special intravenous line (IV), which is a tube that is placed into a vein through your skin. Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to attack cancer cells directly or to shrink tumors before they are treated with other treatments. Many of these treatments are available at most hospitals and community health centers. But they vary in their effectiveness and side effects. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. Early Symptoms and Diagnosis The size and location of a tumor will determine how you feel about it. Some tumors cause very little symptoms, while others cause serious problems that could be life-threatening if they are not detected and treated quickly. Detecting cancer before it causes any problems is a goal of most doctors. This is because cancers that are found before they cause problems are easier to treat. Risk factors for cancer – Most cancers are related to specific types of exposure to chemicals, physical and biological agents. These risk factors can be reduced through healthy habits, good nutrition and regular exercise, as well as reducing your exposure to tobacco and certain occupational carcinogens. Prevention – The most effective ways to prevent cancer are to avoid smoking, to stop eating a diet that is high in fat and calories, and to get enough physical activity. You should also avoid being exposed to environmental carcinogens, such as asbestos, which can cause the mutations that lead to cancer. A large amount of research is ongoing to develop new therapies for cancer. For example, researchers are working on personalized medicine and gene therapy to treat cancer based on the specific genes of each patient. These treatments have the potential to increase survival and improve quality of life for people with cancer.