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What is cancer? 

According to natural process of our body system cells of our body grow and die in a predictable manner. This cycle of growing of cells, dyeing of cells and their replacement by new cells continue. But if something goes wrong too many cells may grow in a uncontrolled manner. Due to any disorder of cell growth cells divide at an excessive rate faster than healthy body cells and behave abnormally. These abnormal cells which invade and damage surrounding healthy tissues are cancer cells and the disease is known as cancer. Cancer cells may spread to different parts of the body via blood stream or lymphatic system. 

There are various types of cancer:-

 (i) Kidney Cancer

(ii) Liver Cancer

(iii) Lung Cancer

(iv) Leukemia

(v) Brain Cancer

(vi) Skin Cancer

(vii) Ovarian Cancer

(viii) Breast Cancer

(ix) Gal bladder Cancer

(x) Stomach Cancer

(xi) Pancreatic Cancer

(xii) Thyroid Cancer

(xiii) Throat cancer

(xiv) Colon Cancer, etc.

Symptoms of all types of cancer are not the same and depend upon the types and locations of cancer. As for example: – Diarrhea or Constipation pain in abdomen, coming of blood with stool may be the symptoms of colon cancer.

Shortness of breath, pain in chest, coughing may be symptoms of lung cancer.

Sweat at night, pain in bones, weight loss and weakness, bleeding in gums, excessive or easy bruising etc. may be symptoms of blood cancer.

Diagnoses and treatment

Based on symptoms cancer is suspected and physical examination is done. Some types of imaging studies and tests are done as for example:-

(i) X-ray

(ii) Ultra sonography

(iii) CT Scan

(iv) Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI)

(v) Blood tests and complete blood counts

(vi) Biopsy

According to types and locations of cancer, different tests are done. As for example if a person is suffering from cough, chest pain and loosing weight then X-ray of chest might be done by a doctor.

Bone narrow biopsy might be done for leukemia.

Treatment 

Surgery is done for removing malignant tumor. When surgery is unable to remove all of the cancer then the option for treatment is radiation or chemotherapy. Sometimes both radiation and chemotherapy are required for treatment of cancer.

In some cancers a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is required.

Causes and prevention

Causes of cancer: - 

      (i) Certain type of viruses

      (ii) Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight etc.)

      (iii) Tobacco Smoking

      (iv) Environmental Pollution

      (v) Too much consumption of alcohol

      (vi) Benzene.

Prevention 

Vegetarians have lesser risk of acquiring various types of cancers like stomach cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer etc. than meat eaters.

Controlling diet and adopting proper life style risk of having some types of cancer can be reduced.

Try to avoid red meat and processed meat. Eat vegetables, fish etc. Avoid smoking. Reduce alcohol consumption.
Author: S.N.Bhattacharya

Breast cancer has been characterized as a serious disease that strikes mainly women. This is the reason that most people and experts in the field of medical science and research have devoted themselves who make a research on breast cancer and other factors revolving it.

Here are some of the results concluded by these experts with some known facts about breast cancer.

How common is this disease?

Breast cancer is very common in the UK. It is sad but true that about 44,000 women are diagnosed with this deadly disease each year. This actually estimates to about more than 100 women in a day. Though this disease is rare in men, about 300 men every year are diagnosed with this disease.

Medical experts have warned that the rates of this disease have increased by 50% over the last twenty years. In UK, this rate has been increased by about 12% in last 10 years. Women over the age of 50 are usually diagnosed with this disease.

Surviving the disease

Today, fortunately, more women are surviving this disease. The survival rates have actually improved in the last twenty years. The reason is the increasing awareness of this disease and early diagnosis.

Causes of breast cancer

Exact causes of breast cancer are not known. However, the experts have a drawn certain conclusions on the basis of the studies and researchers they have made.

Here are some of the causes that may be responsible for the development of breast cancer.

a) Woman with a family history of breast cancer can develop this disease. Usually women with their mother, sister or daughter diagnosed with this disease are at greater risk.

b) Obesity is another major reason for the development of this disease. This increases the risk of post menopausal breast cancer by up to thirty percent.

c) Women who have been under or are using HRT or hormone replacement therapy for about five years or more than that can develop this disease. The treatment increases the risk of the development of this disease by 35 per cent.

d) Women using oral contraceptives are more vulnerable to breast cancer development as compared to those who are not using any oral contraceptive methods.

e) Alcohol consumption is yet another cause of increasing the risk of the development of this serious disease.

f) Less active lifestyle is another reason for the development of breast cancer. One should lead an active lifestyle. Make sure you exercise daily for at least half an hour at stretch or go for a walk.

Risk factors

- Benign breast cancer

- Age

- Personal history of breast cancer

- Family history of breast cancer

- Reproductive history such as age at menarche, parity, age at menopause, age at first birth and breast feeding Continue Reading »

Breast cancer is known to be a disease that can affect women and sometimes men in rare cases. Most people are unaware of this disease and hence, unable to treat it timely. Breast cancer can occur at any age.

It is important to know about this disease if you want to be detected on time and save yourself from a lot of health and emotional problems it brings along with.

Here are some important things regarding this disease. Read and understand the information for your own health benefits.

The part affected

In case of a breast cancer, the malignant cancer develops inside the cells that provide lining to the ducts. This can also be referred to as a ductal breast cancer. Most of the time, cancerous cells tend to develop inside the lobules. This can be referred to a type of lobular breast cancer. The cancer can also develop in other tissues of the breast.

Risk factors

There are several risk factors for development of breast cancer. Here are some of these:

a) Woman

Being a woman is the biggest risk factor.

b) Early periods

Some women tend to get their period prior to the age of 12. This increases the chances of developing breast cancer.

c) Family history

This plays an important role. Doctors usually consider sisters, mothers and daughters when analyzing family history for breast cancer detection. In case, anyone in your family gets diagnosed, it puts you at greater risk.

d) Alcohol

If you are taking more than about two alcoholic beverages on a daily basis, you are at risk.

e) Diet with excess fats

Make sure that you don’t have a diet that consists of high amounts of saturated fat. If you do, then there are more chances of carrying this disease. Try to avoid food that is too high in fat content. Also do not eat foods that contain poly unsaturated fat.

f) Late pregnancy

Pregnancies after the age of 26 are risky as far as development of breast cancer is concerned.

g) No pregnancy

Women who have never had pregnancy are also at risk of developing breast cancer.

h) Personal history

Women with personal history of breast cancer can also develop this cancer later in their life. Hence, regular breast check ups are necessary.

Treatment options

There are several treatment options available for people with breast cancer. If detected at an early stage, this disease can be treated easily. There are some standard treatments for this disease. One is usually advised to go for a treatment clinical trial at first. It is a type of research where new treatments are found for this disease.

Continue Reading »