01. Cancer is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells within the body.
02. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce new cells in a controlled and orderly manner. This controlled cell division is the process that heals wounds and replaces aging tissues. In some instances the body’s normal regulatory control of cell repair and growth is unable to stop the growth of cells. This leads to cancer.
Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer starts, such as breast cancer or lung cancer.
01. Cancer cannot be confirmed by just encountering the signs and symptoms.
02. To confirm, biopsy needs to be done.
03. Biopsy helps to find out the cancer cells in the abnormal areas.
01. Staging is the process of describing the location and spread of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.
02. Scans help to find the size of the cancer and the spread of it.
03. Most types of cancer can be staged as Stage I, II, III, & IV. While Stage I is an early tumor, Stage IV indicates advanced disease.
04. The treatment plans are based on the staging system.
01. There are no well-defined symptoms of cancer and they depend on the organ of origin of cancer.
02. The most unfortunate part about cancer is that unlike other diseases where there is a visible or experienced symptom, early symptoms of cancer are both painless and invisible.
03. It is only very late that a person begins to feel or observes some symptoms in his body. One should consult a doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur because early stage cancer usually does not cause pain.
01. Multiple cancer risk factors have been identified. Tobacco use, excess weight, poor diet, and inactivity account for two-thirds of all cancers.
02. Lifestyle factors have been linked to a variety of cancers, including the most common ones in the developed world: lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer.
01. Depends on type and stage of cancer.
02. Treatment options –
01. Surgery
02. Radiotherapy
03. Systemic therapy (Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Hormonal therapy and Immunotherapy)
01. Quit smoking
02. Limit alcohol
03. Get vaccinated
04. Stay upto-date with screening
05. Know your family history.
06. Exercise daily
07. Eat a healthy diet.
08. Avoid toxic chemicals
01. Cancer is a condition in which cells, almost anywhere in the body, begin to divide uncontrollably.
02. It is called a tumor is when the growth occurs in solid tissue such as an organ, muscle, or bone.
03. Tumors may spread to nearby tissues through the blood and lymph systems.
01. Benign tumors do not spread or travel throughout the body. Most are not life-threatening, aside from certain brain tumors that can still cause inflammation and put pressure on delicate tissue surrounding the tumor.
02. Malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues in the body, and as they grow, some cells may travel to other places in the body.