Cancer

Introduction:

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells of body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. It is also called neoplasm.

Types of Cancer:
There are many of cancers, as follows:

Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Sarcoma: Cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

Leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.

Lymphoma and myeloma: Cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.

Causes of Cancer:

• Exposure of body to UV-radiation or X-rays for long.
• Carcinogens like mustard gas, benzopyerene etc
• Chewing tobacco and smoking causes lung and oral cancer.
• Viruses can also cause cancer.

Symptoms of Cancer:
They are as follows:

• May cause Fever (no clear infectious source, recurrent or constant)
• There may be Fatigue (not relived by rest)
• Person claims Weight loss (without trying to lose weight)
• Pain (usually persistent)
• Skin changes (coloration, sores that do not heal, white spots in mouth or on tongue, wart changes)
• Change in bowel or bladder functions
• Unusual bleeding (mouth, vaginal, and bladder) or discharge
• There can be Persistent cough or change in voice
• Lumps or tissue masses are seen

Diagnosis of Cancer:

• Blood test for blood cancer
• Bone marrow biopsy
• CT scans and MRI
• Analysis of molecular changes of cancerous cells

Treatment of Cancer:

• Medicines like ABC etc
• Interferon medicines

Prevention’s of Cancer:

• Avoiding smoking tobacco.
• Avoiding excess sunlight (by decreasing exposure or applying sunscreen) and many of the chemicals and toxins is an excellent way to avoid cancers.
• Avoiding contact with certain viruses and other pathogens also is likely to prevent some cancers.
• People who have to work close to cancer-causing agents (chemical workers,
• X-ray technicians, ionizing radiation researchers) should follow all safety precautions and minimize any exposure to such compounds.
• There are two vaccines currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent specific types of cancer. Vaccines against the hepatitis B virus, which is considered a cause of some liver cancers, and vaccines against human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which, according to the NCI, are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer.