Cancer: The abnormal proliferation of cells
Cancer is not a single disease but a group of diseases, that share a fundamental feature ‘the abnormal proliferation of cells‘. Cancer or malignancy can be defined as an uncontrolled cell division that can infiltrate the neighboring tissues. The cancerous cells may also spread to other parts of the body; either through the blood or lymphatic system.
Types:
- Carcinoma begins in the skin or in the tissues, which either line or covers internal organs.
- Sarcoma starts in bones, cartilage, muscle, fat, or any other connective or supportive tissue.
- Leukemia begins in blood-forming tissue causing a large number of abnormal blood cells that enter the blood flow.
- Lymphoma and multiple myelomas are cancer that starts with the immune system. Read more about Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
- Central nervous system cancer begins in the tissues of the brain and the spinal cord.
Causes:
- Smoking tobacco
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Overweight
- Lack of nutrition
- Genetic mutation
- Exposure to radiation
- Certain viruses and infections
- Microwave and radio waves
- Teflon and perfluorooctanoic acid
- Water fluoridation
- X-ray and gamma rays
- Certain cosmetics
- Hair dye
- Talcum powder
- Diesel exhaust
- Cellular phone
- Cellular tower
- Formaldehyde
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Lumps can be felt under the skin
- Weight loss, rarely weight gain
- Changes in the bowel movement
- Darkening or reddish discoloration of the skin
- Sore throat and a cough that is not curable
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Unexplained fever
- Night sweat
- Unexplained bleeding and bruises
- Hoarseness
- Persistent indigestion
Risk factors:
- Older people are at high risk
- Smoking tobacco
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Exposure to radiation
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals
- Family history
Complications:
- Pain, though few cancers are painless
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nausea
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Weight loss
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Confusion
- Metastasis or spread of cancer from one part of the body to another
- Reoccurrence of cancer after treatment
Lifestyle changes to avoid cancer:
- Quit smoking
- Manage your alcohol consumption
- Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, radiation, and use of microwave
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Go for regular screening
- Get immunizations against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus as they increase the chances of developing cancer.
Oncology Hospital in India
Check here in detail: Top 38 Accredited Cancer Hospitals from India
(Know more about Best Oncologists/Oncosurgeons in India.)
- HCG Cancer Centre, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
- O P Jindal Hospital of Cancer & Cardiac Research
- HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
- VGM Hospital, Singanallur Coimbatore
- Health Care Global, Bangalore
- Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai
- Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre
- Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India
- L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim Mumbai
- National Cancer Institute, Nagpur
- Rajkot Cancer Society, Rajkot Gujarat
- Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Gujarat
- Apollo Specialty Hospital, Teynampet, Chennai
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi
- Metro Hospital & Cancer Research Centre, Jabalpur
- Bengal Oncology Centre, Kolkata
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Institute, Kolkata
- Rai Memorial Medical Centre, Chennai
- Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospital Chennai
- Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center Bangalore
- Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital, Bangalore
- B Borooah Cancer Hospital Guwahati
- Saroj Gupta Cancer Institute, Kolkata
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Patna
- Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad
- Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar- Chennai
- Tata Medical Hospital, Kolkata India
- Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Dharamshila Cancer Foundation and Research Centre
- Action Cancer Hospital, New Delhi
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Rajasthan
- Metro Hospital & Cancer Institute, Delhi
- Basavatarakam Cancer Research Centre Hyderabad
- HCG Manavata Cancer Centre,Renuka Nagar, Nashik
- D Hinduja Hospital For Neurology, Mumbai
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
- Kidwai Memorial institute of Oncology, Bangalore
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
Is cancer research a civic issue? (Answer requested on Quora Platform)
Is cancer research a good charity? (Answer requested on Quora Platform)
According to India Against Cancer, Over 2.25 million people in India are living with cancer. A study published in the Journal of Global Oncology says that this number could double by 2040. Lifestyle-related cancers like lung cancer are overtaking infectious cancers like cervical cancer. These statistics make cancer research paramount as the number of cancer patients has increased many folds and treatment is still not satisfactory, especially in advanced stages.
Is cancer more of age-related disease? (Answer requested on Quora Platform)
Cancer can occur irrespective of age. Even a child as young as a year can develop cancer but usually, older adults are at higher risk of developing cancer. The cell damage at times is checked by our body but in few of the cases, the cell damage can lead to abnormal growth and proliferation of cells causing cancer.
Irrespective of age leading a healthy lifestyle and preventing exposure to oncogenes helps to prevent the development of cancer. Things like exposure to the sun for a long time, smoking tobacco, exposure to radiation, exposure to certain chemicals. Keeping active and fit helps to prevent cancer.
How to detect and prevent skin cancer?
Hello,
Skin cancer unlike most of the cancer of the skin can be seen from outside. It is one of the most common type of cancer is treated easily if detected and treated in the initial stage. The early symptoms which help to detect skin cancer are:
Asymmetry in moles or birthmark.
Irregular, rugged, blurred or notched edges of the mole.
Change in color of moles.
If the mole changes its shape, size or color or all.
Any wound that does not heal.
Any redness and swelling around a mole.
Prevention for skin cancer:
Avoid exposure in the sun especially when the sun is very bright from 10 am to 4 pm.
Wear sunscreen with a minimum of 30spf before going out in the sun. do apply sunscreen regularly if you are in sun for a long duration.
Wear hats and sunglasses to avoid exposure to the sun.
Wear knitted clothes to prevent skin damage.
Avoid tanning beds and tanning cream for a long duration.
Keep looking for changes in the skin.
Visit a dermatologist if you have seen any changes in moles or any abnormal pigmentation or sore that does not heal.
Sir/madam what is the treatment for liver cancer.
HepatiteeA vaccen is right or wrong for jandeci for 35 old person