By far, cancer is the most feared of all diseases. Taunting humanity with the threat of a slow and painful death is often the first illness people think they have when they experience pain or feel a lump in their body and the last one they want to talk about. When going to the doctor, patients wait with bated breath for the phone call that tells them yes or no. That phone call brings tremendous relief, joy and appreciation for life or it brings shock and despair. Although cancer is a devastating disease, the chance of dying from cancer is much lower than that of dying from cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes). Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, accounting for three times as many deaths as all cancers combined. Still, about one in five people will develop some type of malignant cancer at some point in their lives.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a proliferation of cells in the body that undergo unregulated growth. These cells often spread by seeding throughout the body. They usually grow as tumors, but new tumors arise as cells take root and grow in different parts of the body. Death occurs when the body’s life-support functions are compromised due to cell damage.

When talking about cancer, it means a malignant tumor. A malignant tumor is one that has a tendency to grow and invade surrounding tissues. Benign tumors, although still cancerous, pose much less of a threat. They are encapsulated and much less likely to spread. Often they can be surgically removed and no further treatment is required. Metastatic tumors are malignancies that have already spread. Metastatic cancers are generally the most dangerous.
Forecast Determination

The prognosis for a cancer patient decreases significantly with metastasis. This is the main reason why the medical profession encourages routine testing for early detection. A patient’s prognosis also decreases with the extent of metastasis. The more sites, the less likely the recovery. Another factor in the prognosis is the exact location of the tumor. A tumor located in a vital organ or near a vital function of the body is more difficult to treat. Finally, the type of cell involved in the cancer can indicate how aggressive the cancer will tend to be.

The many causes of cancer

Although most people will never get cancer, every body makes cancer cells. Every day, even in healthy people, malignant cells form and circulate. In a normal, healthy body, these cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system. In patients who develop cancer, something has compromised the body’s ability to deal effectively with these cells.

The development of cancer depends on many factors. Undoubtedly, one of them is genetic. The body has certain genes called “oncogenes.” Oncogenes are mutated genes that regulate cell growth. Proteins in these genes tell the cell to divide when it’s not supposed to. Exposure to environmental carcinogens and viruses are responsible for turning regular genes into “oncogenes.”

Our bodies are designed to deal with this threat. Additional genes called “tumor repressor genes” normally suppress or regulate growth. However, mutations can cause these genes to fail and, again, unrestricted growth to occur. Chromosomal abnormalities have been linked to a large number of cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.

Viruses appear to play an important role in the development of cancer. A virus is a strand of genetic material that can insert into its host’s DNA, replicate, and thereby alter the host’s functions. While often the body’s defenses can fend off the aggressive intruder, other times the intruder embeds itself deep into the DNA and the body appears defenseless against it. By altering the body’s DNA, these mutations can be passed down from generation to generation. Viruses are the closest physical evidence that exists to support something akin to the idea of ​​possession. Common viruses known to cause cancer include HPV (human papilloma virus), CMV (cytomegalo virus), EBV (Epstein Barr virus), and hepatitis B. In addition, any pathogen that causes chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer. cancer risk.

Environmental pollution is often blamed for causing cancer. In fact, environmental pollutants have been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Chemical carcinogens cause cells to mutate through a series of stages. These stages of mutations often depend on contact with common chemicals that by themselves are not a threat, but when combined with a carcinogen trigger a mutation. These chemicals are called “co-carcinogens.” The list of common chemicals known to cause cancer is very long, including many pesticides, diesel exhaust, lead-based paint fumes, formaldehyde, and a variety of hair dyes.

The cause of cancer is complex. There are many contributing factors. In addition to genetic tendencies, viruses and environmental contaminants, ultraviolet light, radiation from X-rays, nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons tests, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs are important factors. In addition, people with a history of autoimmune diseases, whose immune systems are clearly not working properly, are also at higher risk.

The signs and symptoms of the red flag

The first signs and symptoms of cancer are usually not present. Cancer often develops in the body for quite some time before the body’s functions are compromised and symptoms are noticeable. This is one more reason why early detection through non-invasive testing is so important. Patients experiencing unexplained weight loss, night sweats, unexplained pain (especially at night), and abnormal bleeding from any orifice should request a full examination as soon as possible.
major cancers

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer and is the leading cause of all cancer deaths. Bronchogenic carcinoma responsible for 90% of all lung cancers is very aggressive. Eighty-seven percent of these cancers are attributed to smoking.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer. It tends to affect adults over the age of 40. Scientists accept that a diet low in fiber and high in animal protein contributes to this condition. A vegetarian diet that includes whole grains should significantly reduce the risk. A simple blood test is available for screening called CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen).

Breast cancer affects 13% of women at age 95. This is the most common form of cancer in women. While many middle-aged women develop breast cancer, the risk increases dramatically after age 75. Eighty percent are first discovered by the patient as a lump. When discovered, many have metastasized to the surrounding lymph. Early detection through daily breast exams and mammograms offers the possibility of finding the cancer before it metastasizes and greatly improves the prognosis. Studies show that annual mammograms reduce the breast cancer death rate by 25 – 30%. While there are risks of radiation exposure from mammograms, most medical professionals believe that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Breast cancer is responsible for 3.5% of all deaths in women. A woman who does not have cancer in her lymph nodes after therapy has an 80% 10-year survival rate

Women with a family history of breast cancer and those who have taken birth control pills are at higher risk. Other factors that increase risk include becoming pregnant after age 30 and early onset of menstruation, late onset of menopause, radiation exposure, and hormone replacement therapy.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men over 50 years of age. Some studies have shown that most men will develop prostate cancer if they live long enough. While it is usually a mildly aggressive, slow-growing cancer, it has the ability to metastasize and kill. Blood tests (prostate specific antigen test) can reveal the presence of prostate cancer. While a positive test indicates cancer, a negative test cannot rule it out. The value of all blood cancer screening tests is controversial.

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women. The risk increases dramatically after the age of 40 and peaks between the ages of 50 and 60. The greatest correlated risk factor is obesity. Other important risk factors include: estrogen replacement therapy, the choice to have or the inability to have children (nulliparity), ovulation disorders, and late menopause. The condition has also been correlated with high levels of estrogen in the body compared to progesterone. Most cases present with abnormal vaginal bleeding as the first sign.

Cervical cancer is the result of sexually transmitted pathogens and is less common than endometrial cancer. The risk increases with the number of sexual partners a woman has had and with early loss of virginity. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) clearly plays a role. HPV is the cause of genital warts. Cigarette smoking also increases the risk.

Ovarian cancer affects one in 70 women. And one in a hundred women dies from it. Its incidence increases around menopause and in postmenopausal women. Surprisingly, the risk of developing ovarian cancer decreases with the use of oral contraceptives. Known risk factors include obesity, nulliparity, infertility, late childbearing, and late menopause. A blood test is available for screening. The test is called CA-125. The accuracy of all blood screening tests is controversial.

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. While the condition is very aggressive and very often fatal when diagnosed in its late stages, early diagnosis leads to a nearly 100% cure rate. Other skin cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are less aggressive and have lower rates of metastasis. Medical treatment of these cancers is quite effective. Read more about Ayurveda and Cancer