Pratheeksha Cancer Centre29 /.1000 A ; Madakkuni Temple Road,
Near Kottooli Petrol Pump
Calicut.
Ph : +91 495 2740995,
+91 495 2744636
Cancer
Cancer is not just one disease. It can start in many different places in the body like the lungs, the breast, the colon, or even in the blood. In Cancer the cells start to grow out of control and keep on growing and making new cells. They crowd out normal cells and this causes problems in the part of the body where the cancer started.Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body like bones, brain etc. through the blood. Cells in the lung can travel to the bones and grow there. When cancer cells spread, it is called metastasis. When lung cancer spreads to the bones, it is still called lung cancer because that is where it started. It is not called bone cancer unless it started in the bones.
Cancer – The Causes
Cancer can affect any person according to his living or work conditions. The main causes are:
Carcinogens
When our bodies are exposed to carcinogens, free radicals are formed that try to steal electrons from other molecules in the body. Theses free radicals damage cells and affect their ability to function normally. Carcinogens are substances that are directly responsible for damaging DNA, promoting or aiding cancer. Tobacco, asbestos, arsenic, radiation such as gamma and x-rays, the sun, and compounds in car exhaust fumes are all examples of carcinogens.
Age
When a person advances in age, the risk of getting cancer is more because the body cells get easily damaged.
Food
A diet rich in fat – especially a non-vegetarian diet is a major cause of Cancer. Added to the fact that exercise is very less in today’s lifestyle also can cause Cancer.
Genes
Cancer can be the result of a genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. Certain genetic mutations or a fault in a gene can lead to develop cancer later in life.
Viruses
Several viruses have also been linked to cancer like human Papilloma virus (a cause of cervical cancer); Hepatitis B and C (causes of liver cancer), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - and anything else that suppresses or weakens the immune system - inhibits the body's ability to fight infections and increases the chance of developing cancer.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer (how much it has spread), age, health status, and additional personal characteristics. There is no single treatment for cancer, and patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. Treatments usually fall into one of the following categories: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or gene therapy
Surgery
If a cancer has not metastasized, it is possible to completely cure a patient by surgically removing the cancer from the body. Surgery is done for the removal of the prostate or a breast or testicle. After the disease has spread, however, it is nearly impossible to remove all of the cancer cells.
Radiation
Radiation treatment, also known as radiotherapy, destroys cancer by focusing high-energy rays on the cancer cells. At times severe side-effects are caused because the energy beams would damage normal, healthy tissue, but nowadays the beams are more accurately targeted to destroy cancer cells only. Radiotherapy is also used in combination with other cancer treatments as a standalone treatment to shrink a tumor or destroy cancer cells (including those associated with leukemia and lymphoma).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy utilizes chemicals that interfere with the cell division process - damaging proteins or DNA - so that cancer cells will be destroyed. These treatments target dividing cells (not necessarily just cancer cells). As normal cells can usually recover from any chemical-induced damage, the cancer cells cannot. Chemotherapy is generally used to treat cancer that has spread or metastasized because the medicines travel throughout the entire body. Generally used for leukemia and lymphoma. Chemotherapy treatment occurs in cycles so the body has time to heal between doses. However, there are still common side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting. Combination therapies often include multiple types of chemotherapy or chemotherapy combined with other treatment options.
After Diagnosis
- Do not fear the diagnosis
- Some types of Cancer can be treated
- Follow the treatments suggested by the Doctor who diagnosed the Cancer
- Before going for other treatments try to discuss it with an oncologist (Doctor specializing in Cancer treatment)
- Have faith in the doctor who treats you
- Have faith in the treatments given
- Do not fear the side effects of Cancer treatments.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Let friends and family help you
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