A discussion becomes a bit heavy if the topic of cancer pops up in between! We try to escape the topic when someone tries to describe the experiences of his relative who had or has been suffering from cancer. Cancer is more than just a physical agony! The harsh cancer treatments not only devastate the inner physical health of an individual, but they go a long way to drain him off mentally and psychologically! Escaping a discussion on cancer will not allow you to escape the disease. It exists in its full form and you need to accept the truth! Knowing more about cancer and clearing out your conceptions will allow you to gather enough courage to deal with it. It will also help you to guide someone who is trying to avoid the topic out of fear or discomfort just like you.
Here we go to clear the basic concepts:
What is Cancer?
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormally functioning groups of cells in the body. These cells destroy the surrounding tissues and cells and interfere with the normal functioning of the body.
What is a Malignant Tumor? How is it Different from a Benign Tumor?
A malignant tumor is cancerous whereas a benign tumor is a non cancerous growth. Malignant tumors invade the surrounding cells and tissues and interfere with their normal function unlike the benign tumors. The spreading of malignancy to the other tissues and body cells is referred to as metastasis.
What are the Common Types of Cancer?
Cancer is broadly divided into 5 major categories.
- Carcinomas: It involves malignancy of the internal or the external lining of the body. Examples include cancers of the skin, epidermis, lip, tongue and cervix.
- Sarcoma: It denotes the malignancy that originates at the connective tissues. Examples include the cancers of cartilage, bone, fibrous tissue, skeletal muscles and neurogenic connective tissues.
- Myeloma: It includes malignancy of the plasma cell (the protein generating cells in blood) and the cancer of the bone marrow.
- Lymphoma: It includes malignancy of lymph nodes or similar cells.
- Leukemia: Malignancy of blood forming elements are included in this category.
There may be mixed cancers as well involving different tissue types or organs.
How Does Cancer Spread?
Malignant cells have the ability to intrude in the surrounding cell and tissue structures and to disrupt their normal functioning. They easily spread to the other organs like the liver, bones, lungs and the lymph nodes through the blood stream.
What Can Cause Cancer?
Though it's hard to state the exact causes of cancer, but there are certain risk factors as well! The risk of cancer increases on account of exposure to these factors. Some of these risk factors include the consumption of tobacco in any form (cigarette, bidi ,cigar, hukka ,zarda, gutka) and alcohol, certain viral infections, hormones, genetics, dietary carcinogen and radiations (X-ray, CT scan, ultravoilet radiations, nuclear radiation).
What Can You Do to Prevent Cancer?
Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Nearly 50 percent of the cancers in India are due to tobacco consumption. Indulging in physical activity will improve your immunity and endocrine functions. Always watch out for the symptoms. An early detection is the best way to avoid the complications of the disease. Use health friendly products and do not ignore your health.
Can Cancer be Cured? How is it Treated?
Cancer can surely be cured if it is detected in the early stages. But sadly, most of us ignore the symptoms and allow the disease to progress in 70 percent of the cases. Curing cancer completely in the advanced stage is difficult and thus a complete recovery is not guaranteed in these cases. Cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and medication. The line of treatment differs from person to person and it depends on the type of cancer, the stage, the tolerance level of the patient and on the effect that it is going to produce on the patient.
It's true that some of us do not have the strength to listen to harsh facts. We all want to live in a dreamy world just like the "Happy Prince". We want to see the world through rosy spectacles. Wished if this would have been the true story! We cannot tolerate the truths of reality. But we are staying in a real world and cancer is a harsh truth. Accepting it and knowing more about it will you to cope up with it and to offer it a hard challenge!
