CANCER
CANCER
Cancer is a malignant growth or tumor caused by an abnormal or uncontrolled cell division.
Normally, the body grows new cells to replace old ones which are to be killed. Cancer is an abnormal condition or a group of disease involving abnormal cell growth in the body whereby the body grows new cells when you do not need them and the old cells do not die when they should.
Cancer can affect all types of body cells with over 100 types of cancers known to occur in man. Each named in relation to the area which they affect such as skin breast, lungs.
Cancer has been rated as the second most common cause of death in the US after Heart diseases.
Cancer is not a contagious disease. Cancerous cells have the potential to grow or spread and affect other parts of the body. The extra cells grown form a mass called Tumor.
Tumor can be Benign or Malignant.
Benign tumors are not considered as cancer since they grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of the body but are dangerous when they occur on vital organs such as the brain.
Malignant tumors are the real deal in cancer. These tumors can attack and spread to the other nearby tissues. Cancerous cells are also referred to as malignant cells.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is known as Metastasis.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CANCER
It is very difficult to recognize a cancer since it shows no sign when it begins. But as the mass (tumor) begins to manifest, certain symptoms occur such as
• Increasing lump in the area affected
• Coughing, Chest pain and Difficulty in breathing
• Blood in cough, vomit, urine and stool
• Pain in the area affected
• Weight loss
CAUSES OF CANCER
Cancer is caused by the mutation (alteration) in the DNA (which contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living things) of the body cells involved. It is tis mutation that allows the cell to exhibit tumor.
Although, this mutation is triggered by factors or conditions we are subjected to.
These factors could be inherited (born with) or acquired through smoking, drinking alcohol, chronic inflammation, stress, lack of hygiene, exposure to certain radiations or rays, environmental pollutants and some infections.
PREVENTION AND CARE FOR CANCER
Since cancer is mostly triggered by environmental factors, its effect is controllable and avoidable by
• Maintaining personal hygiene
• Eating balanced diet
• Avoiding the usage of harmful drugs and substances
• Medication and Vaccination
• Surgery
• Radiations and Therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy
REFERENCES:
- http://www.cancercenter.com/cancer/
- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- http://www.webmd.com/cancer/
- https://medlineplus.gov/cancer.html
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer.html
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
- pixabay.com
I’m a Microbiology undergraduate at the University and I’m fascinated with learning amazing stuff about life everyday.
Steemit is rekindling my love for research and writing and I will be sharing with you amazing stuff I discover everyday at school and over the course of my search for knowledge.
Cancer is indeed the disease to conquer now. Having been affected (nor directly but someone very close), I can only tell that the progresses are amazing, but a long way is still left to go.