Uncontrolled growth or mutation of body cells is what we call as cancer. It can happen at any part of our body apart from hair and nail. Cancer used to be a very rare condition in the past, but it has become quite common in the recent past. Nearly 8.2 million people die worldwide due to cancer every year. In this, nearly 50% of victims are between the age group of 30 to 69 years.
Cancer can be prevented or cured with right awareness is the truth.
Cancer cells
Millions of cells die and millions of new cells form every day to replace them in our body. In this, mutation or growth of certain cells will be beyond the normal range. Most of these cells are destroyed by our immune system. When there is low immunity in our body, growth or mutation of this abnormal cells will reach its peak. We call this as cancer. These cells can get in the way of normal cells and destroy them. There are nearly 60 different types of cancer cells that are discovered so far. From this, 200 different types of cancer have been discovered to date. We will look into top 6 types of cancers out of these 200 that are quite common in this article.
Lung Cancer
Lung is naturally soft and it is similar to a sponge. It does the job of releasing carbon dioxide and mixing oxygen into the blood. With right precautions, lung cancer can be easily prevented.
Smoking is one of the major reason for this cancer. Nearly 1.6 million people die worldwide due to it.
Long-lasting cough, blood in phlegm, difficulty with breathing, chest pain, wheezing, weight loss, pain in bones are some of the signs of lung cancer. apart from regular smokers, it can even affect passive smokers.
It can be detected by carrying out biopsy test in lungs. Additionally, tests like X-ray, CT-scan, MRI-Scans can reveal if this cancer has started to spread to other parts.
Treatments for lung cancer will be carried out based on these test results. Sometimes it will involve surgically removing a part of the affected organ. Apart from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapies will also be prescribed for this. 80 to 85% of surgeries carried out for this problem mostly end up in vein. Because surgeries are mostly carried out for stage 3 or stage 4 cancer patients.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the major contributors for deaths that occurs due to cancer worldwide. This type of cancer can be hereditary. Obesity, reaching puberty at a very young age, late onset of menopause, delayed pregnancy, infertility, alcohol, smoking are some of the major reasons for breast cancer.
Through self-examination, it can be detected if there are any tumors in the breast. Mammogram, a type of X-ray can also be used to detect this cancer. During this test, if Doctors detect any abnormal cell growths in any region, they will advise for a biopsy test. An ultrasound test can detect cancer cells growth and structure.
Treatments for this cancer includes hormone therapy, surgically removing cancer cells, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes it may even involve removing a breast completely. All these treatments will be determined based on the cancer state and stage.
Uterus Cancer
Human Papillomavirus leads to uterus cancer. It is the only cancer type that can be prevented using vaccination in this list. This virus reaches the uterus through sexual intercourse. It starts to develop into cancer during the period of low immunity in women.
Symptoms of this cancer includes
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Irregular periods
- Bleeding in reproductive organ
- Backpain
- Unbearable pain during intercourse
Reasons
Having sexual intercourse at a very young age, low immunity, smoking, and having sexual relationships with more multiple persons, are some of the major contributing factors for this cancer.
Treatments
This type of cancer can be detected at an early stage and can be easily cured. Women can take necessary vaccination for this before marriage. Women who have high probabilities for this cancer can take pop smear test once a year.
Mouth cancer
This is one of the top 3 cancer types that can lead to death.
This cancer can occur at any region in the mouth.
Some of the symptoms of this cancer includes
- Unhealed wound inside mouth
- Bleeding
- Tumor formation inside mouth
- Falling of teeth
- Pain in tongue
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty with swallowing foods or saliva
It can be easily detected by a dentist through physical examination. To confirm it, Doctors will carry out tissue biopsy test.
Treatment will be carried out based on the cancer stage and place of its occurrence. Usually, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation are prescribed for mouth cancer.
Cigarette, gutka and other tobacco-related practices are main contributors to this cancer.
Cancer in Intestines and Colon
South Indians are more prone to this type of cancer due to their food habits.
Due to the usage of pesticides in fruits and vegetable cultivation, and irregular and unhealthy eating habits lead to infection from Helicobacter pyroli virus in the stomach . This virus induces cancer in stomach and intestines if left untreated.
If there are the presence of small cysts or blisters like formation inside colon and intestines which are revealed through colonoscopy, this can transform into cancer in future. These cysts can be removed easily without any surgery. If Doctor’s detect wounds, injuries, and very little cysts during endoscopy in food pipe, intestines, and stomach. It can be easily cured without any need for complex surgeries. Due to advancements in technology, this type of cancer is completely cured when detected in its early stages.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the worst types of cancer for a woman. Most often, this type of cancer is only detected in its advanced stages. When it is in its advanced stage, some of its symptoms includes
- Inflammation in stomach region
- Feeling stomach full after eating very less food
- Weight loss
- Uncomfortable feeling in hip region
- Problems with digestion
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Lack of hunger
Reasons
- Old age
- Genetic changes
- Oestrogen therapy
- Puberty at a very age
- Late onset of menopause
- Infertility
- Treatments for childbirth
- Smoking
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
are some of the major reasons for ovarian cancer
How to prevent Cancers
- Smoking habits should be withdrawn completely
- Eating healthy foods cannot solely prevent cancer. But, it reduces its chances to a great extent.
- Regular exercises will prevent or reduces the chances for lung, stomach, intestine, kidney, prostate cancers.
- There are vaccines available to prevent certain cancer types. Consult your Doctor regarding this.
- No cancer gives out its symptoms in its initial stage. When it does, it usually means it is in the advanced stage. Having a master health checkup once a year will help to detect cancer in its initial stage and cure it completely.
- Preventing cancer lies solely in our hands. Let us make it a point to take appropriate measures starting today.
Cancer types that affect men more
- Mouth cancer
- Lung cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colon cancer
- Throat cancer
Cancer types that affect women more
- Breast cancer
- Uterus cancer
- Colon cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Mouth cancer