WHAT IS CANCER: TYPES, CAUSES, AND PREVENTION

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is a broad term for a set of diseases that develop when abnormal cells divide fast and spread to other tissues and organs.

Tumors can develop as a result of these rapidly developing cells. They may also interfere with the body's normal functioning.

Cancer is one of the world's major causes of death. Cancer will account for nearly one in every six deaths in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Every day, experts work hard to test new cancer treatments.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CANCER?

Mutations, or alterations to the DNA in your cells, are the primary cause of cancer. Genetic mutations can be passed down through families. They can also happen after birth as a result of environmental factors.

External factors, known as carcinogens, can include:

cigarette smoke, asbestos, alcohol, air pollution, and tainted food and drinking water are examples of chemical carcinogens.
biological carcinogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
physical carcinogens like radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light

According to the WHO, cigarettes, alcohol, a high body mass index (BMI), a lack of fruits and vegetables, and a lack of physical activity may account for approximately 33% of cancer fatalities.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CANCER

Even if they spread to other places of the body, cancers are named by the area where they begin and the type of cell they are comprised of. A cancer that develops in the lungs and progresses to the liver, for example, is still referred to as lung cancer.

There are also other clinical terms for various forms of cancer:

Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of blood cells.
Lymphoma and myeloma: Lymphoma and myeloma are immune system cancers.
Carcinoma: Carcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the skin or the tissues that surround other organs.
Sarcoma: Sarcoma is a type of cancer that affects connective tissues like bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.

Other types of cancer are:

HOW DOES CANCER GROW?

1. Abnormal cell division: Normal cells in your body divide and grow. The type of cell determines the life cycle of each. When cells are injured or die, new ones replace them.

Cancer interferes with this mechanism, causing cells to develop abnormally. It is produced by alterations or mutations in the DNA of the cell.

Each cell's DNA contains instructions that teach the cell what to do and how to grow and divide. Mutations occur regularly in DNA, although cells normally fix these errors. A cell can become infected if a mistake is not addressed.

Mutations can cause cells that should be replaced to live rather than die, and new cells to form when they are not required. These additional cells can divide uncontrollably, resulting in tumor formation.

2. Tumor formation: Tumors can be harmful to one's health depending on where they form in the body.

Tumors are not always cancerous. Noncancerous benign tumors do not spread to neighboring tissues.

Tumors, on the other hand, can grow large and cause issues when they press against nearby organs and tissue. Malignant tumors are malignant and have the ability to spread to other regions of the body.

3. Metastasis: Some cancer cells can also move to other parts of the body via the circulation or lymphatic system. This is referred as as metastasis.

Cancers that have spread to other parts of the body are deemed more advanced than those that have not. Metastatic malignancies are frequently more difficult to cure and more lethal.

WHAT ARE CANCER TREATMENTS

Cancer therapy can include a variety of approaches, depending on the type of cancer and its stage.

Localized treatment: Localized treatment typically entails using therapies such as surgery or local radiation therapy to target a specific area of the body or tumor.
Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on alleviating cancer-related symptoms such as difficulty breathing and discomfort.
Systemic treatment: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are examples of systemic pharmacological treatments that can affect the entire body.

Various cancer treatments are frequently used in tandem to eliminate or destroy as many malignant cells as feasible.

The most prevalent methods of treatment are:

1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of aggressive cancer treatment in which toxic drugs are used to kill quickly dividing cancer cells. It can be used to reduce the size of a tumor or the number of cells in your body, lowering the chances of cancer spreading.

2. Surgery: The malignancy is removed as much as possible during surgery. Surgery is frequently performed in conjunction with other therapies to ensure that all cancer cells are eradicated.

3. Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant: This treatment uses healthy stem cells to mend damaged bone marrow. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with a wide range of functions. These transplants enable doctors to treat cancer with stronger dosages of chemotherapy. A stem cell transplant is a typical treatment for leukemia.

4. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by delivering intense, focused beams of radiation. Brachytherapy refers to radiation therapy performed within your body, whereas external beam radiation refers to radiation therapy performed outside of your body.

5. Clinical trials: Clinical trials look for novel cancer treatments. This could entail evaluating the efficacy of pharmaceuticals that have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but for other applications. It can also include experimenting with new medications. Clinical trials can provide an additional option for patients who have not had the desired level of success with traditional treatments. This treatment may be provided for free in some instances.

6. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy targets cancer cells using your body's own immune system. These medicines assist your antibodies in recognizing cancer and utilizing your body's natural defenses to eliminate cancer cells.

7. Hormone therapy: Hormone treatment works by removing or blocking hormones that fuel specific tumors in order to prevent cancer cells from developing. This medication is frequently used to treat tumors that utilize hormones to develop and spread, such as certain forms of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

8. Targeted drug therapy: Targeted drug therapy is the use of medications to interfere with specific chemicals that aid in the growth and survival of cancer cells. If you are eligible for this form of therapy, genetic testing may show it. It may be determined by the type of cancer you have, as well as the genetic alterations and molecular properties of your tumor.

9. Alternative medicine: Alternative medicine can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. It may aid in the reduction of cancer symptoms and cancer therapy side effects such as nausea, exhaustion, and discomfort. Cancer alternative medicine may include:

massage
meditation
relaxation techniques
acupuncture
yoga

HOW TO PREVENT CANCER

Understanding the variables that contribute to cancer can help you live a healthier lifestyle.

Preventive methods to lower the risk of cancer include:

1. abstaining from cigarettes and secondhand smoke

2. eating a plant-based diet rich in lean proteins and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean diet

3. minimizing your consumption of processed meats

4. abstaining from alcohol or drinking in moderation

5. keeping a healthy body weight and BMI

6. avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to stay sun-protected

7. completing 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week

8. staying away from tanning beds

9. obtaining vaccinations against viral illnesses that might cause cancer, such as hepatitis B and HPV

Meet with your doctor on a frequent basis so that they can screen you for various types of cancer. This improves your chances of detecting any potential tumors as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

Cancer is a term used to describe a group of deadly diseases caused by genetic alterations in your cells. Cancer cells that divide abnormally quickly can develop tumors.

Smoking, consuming alcohol, a lack of physical activity, a poor diet, having a high BMI, and contracting certain viruses and bacteria are all risk factors for cancer.

Screenings may aid in the early detection of cancer, when it is easier to treat. The treatment strategy and outlook for cancer patients can vary depending on the type of cancer, the stage at which it is found, as well as their age and overall health.