CANCER
Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body. Most cancers are named for where they start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Treatment plans may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.
(Source: National Library of Medicine 2008)
Cancer – Prevention
It is obviously smarter to take measures to try to prevent or delay the onset of Cancer than to waits until after it presents to treat it. Although there is no foolproof methods of detecting Cancer there are certain preventive measures that everyone can take to lessen the risk of developing risk or improving your chances of catching cancer in its early stages when the cancer is usually more amenable to treatment.
The following steps are often recommended:
Step 1: Don't use tobacco – All types of tobacco put you on a collision course with cancer. Rejecting tobacco, or deciding to stop using it, is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It's also an important part of cancer prevention. Avoiding tobacco in any form significantly reduces your risk of several cancers, including lung cancer, mouth and throat cancer and cancer of the esophagus.
Step 2: Eat a variety of healthy foods – About 30 percent of cancers are related to issues of nutrition, including obesity. The American Cancer Society recommends that you eat an abundance of foods from plant-based sources, limit fat in your diet, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
Cancer prevention step 3: Stay active and maintain a healthy weight – There is evidence to suggest that Obesity may be a risk factor for cancers of the prostate, colon, rectum, uterus, ovaries and breast. Physical activity can help you avoid obesity by controlling your weight. Physical activity on its own may also lower your risk of other types of cancer, including breast cancer and colon cancer.
Cancer prevention step 4: Protect yourself from the sun – Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable and sun exposure is by far the most common cause of skin cancer.
Cancer prevention step 5: Get immunized – certain cancers are associated with viral infections that can be prevented with immunizations. These include Hepatitis B and Human papillomavirus or HPV You should talk to your doctor about whether you would benefit from immunizations to reduce your risk of cancer.
Cancer prevention step 6: Avoid risky behaviors – Certain infections that increase you risk of cancer can be spread sexually. You can reduce your risk of these cancers by avoiding risky behaviors that can lead to contracting these infections. Cancer causing viruses that can be transmitted sexually or by sharing contaminated needles include HPV, the AIDS virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
Cancer prevention step 7: Get screened – Regular screening and self-examination for certain cancers may not prevent cancer, but it can increase your chances of discovering cancer early — when treatment is more likely to be successful. Screening should include your skin, mouth, colon and rectum. If you're a man, it should also include your prostate and testes. If you're a woman, add cervix and breast cancer screening to your list. Be aware of changes in your body — this may help you detect cancer early, increasing your chances of successful treatment. If you notice any changes, see your doctor as quickly as possible.
