Cancer Information

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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