The World Health Organization has predicted that there will be 15 million new cases of cancer in the year 2020. The report said that in the year 2000, 12% of all deaths worldwide were due to malignant cancers and if this rate continues, then cancer can easily overtake heart diseases as the biggest killer by 2010. What was surprising was the fact that around one third of these cases was and would be preventable. All that is required is a decrease in tobacco consumption, diet and lifestyle changes and early and better screening techniques.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells. Since our entire body is made up of tiny cells, which are the structural and functional entities of our body, cancer can occur in almost any part of our body. The division and multiplication of cells in our body is a highly controlled process and any disturbance in its regulation may lead to uncontrolled growth of cells. This growth can form a mass known as a tumor. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not dangerous, do not spread to other parts of the body and can be surgically removed. Malignant tumors can be life threatening, can spread to other parts of the body and cause what is commonly known as cancer.
What Causes Cancer?
There are a lot of things that can cause cancer. Although there is a lot of debate on whether to call them causative agents, what most experts agree upon is the term “risk factors.” These include viruses, certain chemicals (carcinogens) and environmental factors. Viruses that cause cancers are called oncoviruses. A WHO report estimates that 20% of cancer cases in 2002 were caused by infections. Viruses falling under this category are the human papillomavirus, hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus, Epstein – Barr virus and human T-lymphotropic virus.
Smoking has been linked to lung cancer; exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer, carcinogens like radionuclides, some pesticides, formaldehyde, talc etc are also known to cause cancers. Cancer can also occur in people with a suppressed immune system. For example, people under immunosuppressive therapy (for graft survival) or immunocompromised individuals (those suffering from HIV/AIDS) are more likely to develop cancer. Cancer has also been found to be hereditary.
Symptoms of Cancer
There are more than a hundred types of cancers affecting different parts of the body. So symptoms will differ with the type of cancer the person is suffering from. Non-specific symptoms include persistent fatigue, weight loss without any reason, pain, fever, bowel changes and chronic cough. These are general and vague symptoms of cancer. If one or more symptoms persist, it is always better to consult a physician and get screened for a cancerous condition.
Treatment of Cancer
Currently, there are four standard treatment methods: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Which therapy is used depends upon the type of cancer, the extent of spread of the malignancy, the age and condition of the patient. The final decision rests with the patient after consultation with a cancer specialist (oncologist). Other therapeutic measures include hormone therapy, use of angiogenesis inhibitors and gene therapy.
Finally, cancer, although being a deadly disease, can be prevented. Smoking, one of the biggest causes of cancer, can be avoided. Sun safety can be practiced to protect from the harmful (UV) radiations of the sun. Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet consisting of vegetables and fruits and limiting alcohol intake can also protect one from cancer.
References :
1. http://www.cyh.sa.gov.au/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=292&id=2206
2. http://cancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/a/whatcancer.htm
3. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/pr27/en/
4. http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Cancer_To_Become_Worlds_Number_One_Killer_By_2010_30973.html
