Cancer
Definition:
Cancer is not just one disease but a large group of 100 disease. It is a genetic disease. The main characteristic of this disease is it forms uncontrol growth of the cells and these uncontrolled growth of cells migrate from the origin to various parts of the body. Cancer can attack anyone.Most cases are seen in adults and middle aged people.
MICROSCOPIC VIEW OF CANCER CELLS
General Cause:
An alteration or mutation to the DNA molecule can distupt the genes and produce faulty proteins. this causes the cell to become abnormal and lose its resistance to growth.The abnormal cell begins to divide uncontrollably and eventually forms a new growth known as a tumor. The immune system in healthy individual can recognise these cells and destroy them before they divide.But some escape the immunity system detection and survive to become Tumour.
General types:
Tumours are of two types
1)Beningn tumour
2)Malignant tumour
Bening tumour does not spread to other parts of the body or destroy nearby tissue.These grow slowly ,however it is not harmful. once removed it will not reoccur.
Malignant tumour has the ability to spread to spread to other parts of the body.These
usually have a fast uncontrolled growth due to changes in the genes. This tumour is resistant to treatment and may return after all of them have been removed or destroyed.
Factors responsible for cancer:
a)Alcohol-Excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver cancer.
b)Tobbaco- 90% of lung cancer is caused due to smoking.
SMOKER'S LUNG
c)Diet- 35% of all cancers are estimated due to diet.Skin cancer
d)Sex and reproductive behaviour- women having children at late age are estimated to have breast and
ovarian cancer.
e)Infection causing agents- 15% of cancer deaths are due to viruses,bacteria and parasites.
And many other causes like pollution,family history,environmental radiations etc:-
Major types of cancer:
a)Breast cancer -: Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast.There are two main types of breast cancer
# Ductal carcinoma . Most breast cancers are of this type.
#Lobular carcinoma.
Many breast cancers are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. This means that estrogen causes the breast cancer tumor to grow. Over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. The majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. You may also have a higher risk for breast cancer if you have a close relative has had breast cancer. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. Women who get their periods early (before age 12) or went through menopause late (after age 55) have an increased risk for breast cancer.
BREAST CANCER CELL
b)Lung Cancer-: Lung caner is a disease in which cell of the lung tissue grow uncontrollably.It occurs in both men and women and it is the leading cause for cancer.It occunts for about 28% of the cancer deaths.Lung cancer are divided into two types: #Primary lung cancer- Starts in the lung itself #Secondary lung cancer- Starts somewhere else in body and spreads to the lung. Lung cancer is rare among adults. It is mostly seen in people above 50 years. The main cause of lung cancer is Tobacco smoking. About 90% of lung cancer can be prevented by non-smoking. Exposure to asbestos and chemicals repeatedly may also cause lung cancer. LUNG AFFECTED WITH CANCER C)Bladder cancer :- Bladder cancer is a disease caused due to the uncontrolled growth of cells lining the urinary bladder.This disease is most common in men as compared to women.Most bladder cancer cases are seen in old people above 60 years. Smoking is the main cause for bladder cancer as for lung cancer also. Cancer promoting substance in tobacco gets collected by the urine and forms concentrated mass in the bladder. Apart from tobacco urinary infections,kidney and bladder stones may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. BLADDER CANCER CELLS d)Skin cancer-: Skin cancer is caused due to uncontrolled growth of epithelial layer of the skin.Skin cancer cells destroy other skin cells.Skin cancer is divided into #Melanoma- cells are dark pigmented. It can spread throughout the body through the blood stream and lymphatic system. #Non-Melanoma- It forms on the external layer of the skin above the squamous layer. Exposure to sunlight is the main cause for skin cancer. SKIN CANCER (Black spot is the site of infection of the skin) General symptoms of all cancers: # Ocurrence of press of nearby nerves,bloodvessels etc:- is a early syptom of cancer. # Change in size and shape of a mole. # A sore that does not heal. # Persistent cough,soar throat. # Unsuall blood discharge and bleeding # Difficulty in swallowing Treatment:- Mainly cancer is removed by allophatic treatment.In this treatment they will remove all or as much as poosible tumours and prevent its reoccurence. The major types of allophatic treatments are:- a)Surgery- Frequently used treatment to remove the visible tumours. b)Chemotheraphy- Drugs taken to cure cancer. These can be taken orally and intravenously(drugs given through injections). c)Immunotheraphy- By using the bodys own immune system to destroy the cancer cells. d)Radiation- Radiation kills tumour cells. This treatment is used in cases where tumour is unsuitable to be removed by surgery. e)Hormone theraphy- Some hormones causes growth of cancer very rapidly. so by this treatment cancer causing hormones are blocked. f)Bone marrow transplantation- transplantation of bone marrow to rescue the patient from cancer. General prevention measures: # Physical approaches- exercise, massage therapies, yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques. # Nutrional and dietary approaches- plays a major role in reducing the risk of cancer.Food containing bioflavanoids and green tea help in prevention # Stop smoking and dont consume excess alcohol. # Avoid exposure to radiations. # Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. # Practicing safe sex. # Maintain a mental and emotional health is believed to prevent cancer.
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