Overview
Normally, the cells in our bodies multiply in a controlled manner. Cancer occurs when a cell starts functioning abnormally and multiplies in uncontrolled fashion. A tumor is an accumulation of a group of abnormal cells. Almost all the cancers develop tumors, but all tumors are not cancerous. Benign tumors are noncancerous and they do not spread to other regions of the body. The malignant or cancerous tumors destroy the healthy cells and hinder the normal functioning of the body. The cancers keep on growing and they spread via a procedure known as metastasis. Through this process, the malignant cells pass through the lymphatic vessels and develop new tumors in other body parts. Most of the cancers are life threatening.
The four main kinds of cancer are - carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Carcinomas are the most widespread cancers. They stem from the skin, lungs, breasts, pancreas, and other organs or glands. Lymphomas are cancers originating from lymphocytes. Leukemias are blood cancers and they do not develop solid tumors. Sarcomas are rare kind of cancers and they originate from bone, muscle or cartilage.
Symptoms of Cancer
The cancer exhibits no symptoms in early stages. When a malignant tumor grows and becomes big in size, it produces symptoms of the disease. It puts pressure on nerves that produces pain and hinders the normal body function. The warning signs pointing towards cancer are:
The symptoms which point towards the existence of cancer are:
Diagnosis
The chances of survival are high if cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. Certain kinds of cancer like that of skin, testicles, breast, mouth, rectum and prostate may be diagnosed at an early stage by routine check ups or precautionary screening measures. But in most cases, the cancer is detected only after a tumor can be felt or the symptoms become serious.
Diagnosis starts with a complete physical examination. The physician notes down your medical history. A series of lab tests of blood, urine, and stool can spot irregularities that point towards cancer. The doctor then performs imaging tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and fiberoptic scope examinations to find the location of the tumor and its size. A biopsy of tumor is done to confirm the cancer. In biopsy, a tissue sample is surgically taken out from the tumor and checked under the microscope to find the cancer cells.
If diagnosis confirms cancer, certain other tests are done to give particular information about cancer so as to diagnose the stage of cancer. Certain other tests are performed to check whether the cancer has spread to other regions or is confined to a particular organ.
Exercise and Cancer
Exercise helps in managing weariness, muscle tension, and apprehension in people with cancer. Some patients feel better after certain exercises like walking or swimming that relaxes the mind and reinforces the spirit to fight.
Mind/Body Therapy
Certain mind/body therapies help to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients. They work through behavior amendments and others encouragement procedures to express emotions. The behavior therapies that are widely used are directed imagery, muscle relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback. They help in easing nausea, vomiting, pain and the panic that occur in the ongoing cancer treatment. Counseling and music therapy help the patients to tackle side effects and emotions created by cancer. The people who undergo these therapies feel less depressive and are more positive about recovery.
Nutrition and Diet
Research shows that nutrition plays an important part in cancer prevention. There is no diet that can reverse the chances of cancer or cure cancer. Studies have pointed towards antioxidants like vitamins A specially beta carotene, C, E, and selenium as substances that can help to fight cancer in a better manner.Certain substances in food can also help to prevent cancer. They are magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B-6, zinc, coenzyme Q10, and phytonutrients. Certain dietary habits point towards presence of particular cancer in some people like colorectal cancer is common in people with high intake of meat products.
Treatment
The medicinal treatment tries to eliminate or slowdown the progression of the disease with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. If the patient stays cancer-free for at least five years, they are thought as cured.
Surgery is a beneficial treatment for local tumors. Generally, the lump and surrounding lymph nodes are removed. Then, the patient is given painkillers and medication to relieve post-operative diarrhea or constipation.
Radiation therapy is a therapy in which high energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells. Radiation is also given after surgery to kill any left over cells. It is also used prior to surgery to diminish the size of a large tumor in order to make the surgery simpler. The radiation therapy has side effects of bowel hindrance, blood loss and pain.
Chemotherapy drugs help in treating different stages of cancer. The drugs commonly used are -flurouracil, Xeloda, Camptosar, and Eloxatin. Certain cancers are uncurable but all are treatable.
Cancer Support
Health care professionals offer supportive care after cancer treatment. The main aim is to ease soreness as well as other symptoms, uphold health, and offer emotional and psychological support to patients. Certain supportive treatment also helps to rehabilitate patients after treatment. There are different complementary cancer therapies that provide proper supportive care.
Herbs to Fight Cancer
There are many herbal remedies that aid in fighting cancer and other symptoms but no proper proof of their efficacy is present. Ginger tea and peppermint tea help to combat nausea, capsaicum cream helps in alleviating muscle pains, valerian help to do away with anxiety and stress and St. John's wort is used to fight depression.