How Cancer Is Treated
AN OVERVIEW OF CANCER AND CAUSES OF CANCER:
Cancer is a chronic situation of uncontrollable growth of a group of cells. Organs of our body are made up of different cells any localized uncontrollable growth can cause tumors. Cancer cannot be considered as a single disease, it can affect many areas many organs. Symptoms shown and treatment strategy varies with area affected and stage of disease. With the onset of modern medical facilities for chronic disease management of cancer, cancer is no longer a life threatening hazard. Causes for cancer can be genetic and environmental.
Common Causes of Cancer:
1. Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. Carcinogenic substances can initiate DNA mutations leading to cancer.
2. Due to viral infections.
3. Over production of certain hormones can act as carcinogenic chemicals.
4. Hereditary.
SYMPTOMS SHOWN AND MANIFESTATION OF CANCER:
Cancer is a highly diversified type of disease, the symptoms shown by cancer patients varies with the site attacked. The common symptoms shown by cancer patients are the following:
1. Unusual lumps and localized swellings, pain, bleeding etc.
2. Jaundice.
3. Enlargement of lymph nodes, cough, enlargement of liver, and other neurological symptoms shown may be due to spreading cancer (metastasis).
4. Other symptoms shown are weight loss, poor appetite, excessive sweating, anemia, fatigue.
Most type of cancers are diagnosed with these symptoms. But in order to confirm the site attacked we need to conduct numerous tests. Tests include: Blood tests, X ray scanning, CT scanning etc. Stage at which the disease is diagnosed plays a vital role in chronic disease management. Almost all types of cancers identified and treated in its early stages have proved successful.
HOW CANCER IS TREATED AND PREVENTED EFFECTIVELY?
Chronic disease management options for cancer include the following:
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
- Surgery.
- Use of antibodies. Etc.
- Targeted Therapies: Drugs are used on targeted areas to prevent cell growth.
Cancer can be prevented effectively by:
- Change of life style avoiding health injurious substances like alcohol and tobacco. Almost 90 % cases of mouth and lung cancer is due to use of tobacco.
- Diet: avoiding carcinogenic chemicals like artificial colours and sweeteners in food substances.
- Use of tamoxifen has been found successful in avoiding risks of breast cancer.
