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Cancer is among the world's most deadly diseases. It
has a high fatality rate, and very few victims of cancer live a
normal life again. Most die within months or years of contracting
cancer; and in most cases in a most painful manner. That is why the
very word cancer strikes dread in every human heart.
Cancer results when rogue cells produced by genetic mutation
multiply in the human body. These cells either invade nearby
tissues, or migrate to other healthy parts of the body. In either
case, the effect is catastrophic. They destroy healthy cells and
vital organs, and give birth to tumors that can be life-threatening.
There are over a hundred different kinds of cancers that afflict
human beings. These are named after the cells that cause cancer. The
cancer that originates in epithelial cells like the digestive tract
or glands is called carcinoma; the cancer that is caused by rogue
cells in blood or bone marrow is called leukemia or lymphoma; and
the cancer that arises in connective tissues, bone or muscle is
called sarcoma.
One of the most common causes of cancer is smoking. It accounts for
nearly 30 per cent of cancer deaths in the US. Another 30 percent of
cancer deaths in North America result from unbalanced or improper
diet, especially from eating saturated fats obtained from red meat.
Ultraviolet radiation is another cause of cancer. It is caused by
excessive exposure to sun's rays and accounts for almost 2 per cent
of cancer deaths in the US. Cancer is also caused by some viruses
that can trigger mutations.
The key to cancer cure is early detection. Doctors insist that
patients who suffer from unusual lumps or swelling, hemorrhage or
ulceration must get themselves checked for cancer. Enlarged lymph
nodes, bone pain, weight loss, falling appetite, excessive sweating
at night are other symptoms that need to be screened for cancer.
Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are also caused by other
physiological problems. That is why cancer is detected late in a
majority of cases. There are, of course, a lucky few who are
diagnosed early and can hope to be fully cured.
Biopsy is the only way to establish that a patient is suffering from
cancer. It involves removing rogue cells, and submitting them to
pathological inspection. Some of the biopsies, like that for skin
cancer, can be performed without much pain; but some biopsies like
that for bone or liver cancer have to be carried out under
anesthesia.
There are four common ways to treat cancer. These
are: surgery, radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery is
normally carried out when the tumor is localized. The object is to
remove the entire mass of rogue cells so that they do not spread any
further. Even one rogue cell left in the body can lead to a
recurrence of cancer. Surgery is generally advocated for breast or
prostate cancer, especially if they are detected reasonably early.
Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancerous cells by giving
anti-cancer drugs. These drugs can stop rogue cells from
multiplying, but they also prevent normal cells from regenerating.
Immunotherapy is used when doctors feel that they can galvanize the
patient's immune system again to check the spread of cancer.
Radiotherapy is another way to destroy cancer cells. However, the
radiation that destroys cancer cells also destroys healthy cells
around the tumor. That is why it needs to be given in small doses,
and by trained staff.
The researchers are yet to develop a drug that can fully cure
cancer. Till this happens, cancer will remain one of the most
dreaded diseases known to mankind.
For more information on cancer
visit the National Cancer Institute at
http://www.cancer.gov/
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