Cancer is any of a wide range of disorders defined by the uncontrollable division of aberrant cells with the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal human tissue. Cancer has the potential to spread throughout your body. 

Cancer is the world's second largest cause of death. However, because to advancements in cancer detection, therapy, and prevention, survival rates for many forms of cancer are improving.

Symptoms 

Cancer signs and symptoms differ depending on whatever area of the body is afflicted. 

Some general signs and symptoms related with, but not limited to, cancer include as follows: 

- Fatigue 

- A lump or thickening that may be felt beneath the skin 

- Weight fluctuations, including unintentional loss or gain 

- Skin alterations such as yellowing, darkening, or redness of the skin, unhealed wounds, or changes to existing moles alterations in bowel or bladder habits 

- Coughing that persists or difficulty breathing 

- Swallowing Difficulties 

- Hoarseness 

- Consistent indigestion or pain following meals 

- Muscle or joint pain that is persistent and inexplicable 

- Night sweats or persistent, unexplained fevers 

- Unusual bleeding or bruises

 

When should you see a doctor? 

If you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor. 

If you don't have any signs or symptoms of cancer but are concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor. Inquire about which cancer screening tests and treatments are right for you.

 

Causes 

Changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells cause cancer. Inside a cell, DNA is packed into many separate genes, each of which includes a set of instructions informing the cell what functions to execute as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can lead the cell to cease functioning normally and even cause it to become malignant.

 

What effect do gene mutations have? 

A gene mutation can tell a healthy cell to do the following: 

-> Allow for rapid growth: A gene mutation can instruct a cell to expand and divide faster. This results in a large number of new cells with the same mutation. 

-> Failure to regulate uncontrolled cell growth: Normal cells know when to stop growing so that you have the proper quantity of each type of cell. Cancer cells lose the mechanisms that tell them when to stop developing (tumor suppressor genes). A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene permits cancer cells to thrive and multiply.

-> Make mistakes when correcting DNA defects: DNA repair genes seek for and correct flaws in a cell's DNA. A mutation in a DNA repair gene may result in additional mistakes not being fixed, leading to malignant cells.

These are the most frequent mutations detected in cancer. However, numerous additional gene alterations can lead to cancer.

 

What factors contribute to gene mutations? 

Gene mutations can develop for a variety of causes, including: 

-> Gene mutations inherited from parents: You may be born with a genetic mutation inherited from your parents. This sort of mutation is responsible for a tiny proportion of malignancies. 

-> After-birth gene mutations: The majority of gene mutations arise after birth and are not inherited. Smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation, and a lack of exercise are all examples of factors that can trigger gene alterations.

During normal cell development, gene mutations occur regularly. Cells, on the other hand, have a system that identifies and heals mistakes. Occasionally, a mistake gets overlooked. This has the potential to turn a cell malignant.

 

What is the relationship between gene mutations? 

Cancer is caused by the combination of gene mutations that you are born with and those that you acquire during your life. 

For example, just because you inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes you to cancer doesn't imply you'll get it. Instead, one or more additional gene alterations may be required to produce cancer. When exposed to a cancer-causing material, your inherited gene mutation may make you more likely to acquire cancer than other people. 

It is unclear how many mutations must accumulate before cancer may emerge. This is expected to differ amongst cancer kinds.

 

Risk elements 

While doctors have a good knowledge of what variables may raise your risk of cancer, the vast majority of malignancies arise in persons who have no known risk factors. The following are known risk factors for cancer: 

-> Your age is 

Cancer can grow over decades. As a result, the majority of cancer patients are 65 or older. While cancer is more frequent in older persons, it is not only an adult illness; cancer can be diagnosed at any age.

-> Your habits 

Certain lifestyle choices have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Smoking, drinking more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, excessive sun exposure or frequent blistering sunburns, obesity, and unsafe sex can all lead to cancer.

You can adjust these behaviours to reduce your risk of cancer, however some are more difficult to change than others.

-> Your family tree 

An hereditary disease causes just a tiny percentage of malignancies. If cancer runs in your family, it's conceivable that mutations are handed down from generation to generation. You may be a candidate for genetic testing to check whether you have inherited mutations that raise your chance of developing certain malignancies. Keep in mind that having an inherited genetic mutation does not imply that you will get cancer. 

-> Your medical conditions 

Certain chronic health disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, can significantly raise your chance of acquiring cancer. Discuss your risk with your doctor.

-> Your surrounding environment 

The environment around you may include hazardous substances that raise your chance of developing cancer. Even if you don't smoke, you may inhale secondhand smoke if you travel to places where others smoke or live with someone who does. Asbestos and benzene, two common household and industrial chemicals, have also been linked to an elevated risk of cancer.

 

Complications 

Cancer and its treatment can result in a number of problems, including: 

-> Pain: Cancer and cancer therapy can both induce pain, albeit not all cancer is uncomfortable. Cancer-related discomfort can be adequately treated with medications and other techniques. 

-> Fatigue: There are several reasons of fatigue in cancer patients, but it is frequently manageable. Fatigue from chemotherapy or radiation therapy is frequent, but it is typically very transitory. 

-> Difficulty breathing: Cancer and cancer therapy can induce shortness of breath. Treatments may provide some alleviation. 

-> Nausea: Cancer and cancer therapies can both produce nausea. Your doctor can sometimes forecast whether or not your therapy will produce nausea. Medications and other therapies may aid in the prevention or reduction of nausea.

-> Diarrhea or constipation: Cancer and cancer therapy can induce diarrhea or constipation in your bowels. 

-> Weight Loss: Cancer and cancer therapy may result in weight loss. Cancer deprives normal cells of nutrition by stealing their nourishment. This is tough to cure since it is typically unaffected by how many calories or what type of food is consumed. Using artificial feeding through tubes into the stomach or vein does not usually help with weight loss. 

-> Changes in your body's chemical balance: Cancer can disrupt your body's regular chemical equilibrium, increasing your risk of significant problems. Excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, and disorientation are all signs and symptoms of chemical imbalances.

-> Problems with the brain and nerve system: Cancer can cause discomfort and loss of function in one section of your body by pressing on neighboring nerves. Cancer of the brain can induce headaches and stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body. 

-> Unusual immunological responses to cancer: In rare situations, the body's immune system may target healthy cells in response to the presence of cancer. These extremely unusual responses, known as paraneoplastic syndromes, can cause a variety of signs and symptoms, including trouble walking and convulsions.

-> Spreading cancer: Cancer can spread (metastasize) to other regions of the body as it progresses. The location of cancer spread is determined by the type of cancer. 

-> Cancer that reappears: Cancer survivors face the danger of recurrence. Some tumors are more prone than others to reoccur. Inquire with your doctor about ways to lower your chance of cancer recurrence. Following treatment, your doctor may design a follow-up care plan for you. This strategy may involve monthly scans and checks to monitor for cancer recurrence in the months and years following your treatment.

 

Prevention 

Doctors have found a number of techniques to minimize your risk of cancer, including: 

-> Stop smoking: If you smoke, you should stop. Don't start smoking if you don't already. Smoking has been related to a variety of cancers, not just lung cancer. Stopping now will lower your future risk of cancer. 

-> Avoid overexposure to the sun: The sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation might raise your risk of skin cancer. Stay in the shade, wear protective gear, or use sunscreen to reduce your sun exposure. 

-> Maintain a healthy diet: Choose a fruit and vegetable-rich diet. Choose whole carbohydrates and lean protein sources. Limit your consumption of processed meats.

-> Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity has been linked to a decreased risk of cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. If you haven't been exercising frequently, begin cautiously and gradually increase your time to 30 minutes or more. 

-> Keep a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese may raise your chances of developing cancer. A nutritious diet and regular exercise can help you attain and maintain a healthy weight. 

-> Consume alcohol in moderation: If you must consume alcohol, do it in moderation. For healthy people, this equates to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

-> Plan cancer screening exams: Consult your doctor about the best forms of cancer screening checks for you based on your risk factors. 

-> Inquire with your doctor about immunizations: Certain viruses raise your chances of developing cancer. Immunizations may aid in the prevention of viruses such as hepatitis B, which raises the risk of liver cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which raises the risk of cervical cancer and other malignancies. Consult your doctor to see if you should be immunized against certain viruses.

 

By Recmed Medical - Oncology Doctors and Oncology Medical Team