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.