Cancer
Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer grows from the normal cells, which multiply when the body needs them and dies when it does not. Cancer has been known to develop after affecting any kind of organ or tissue, for instance, the breasts, skin, lungs, mouth, prostate, colon, and bones, among others. Cancer can be caused by various things, including obesity, radiation, genetic problems/ inheritance, drinking excess alcohol, radiation, viruses, excessive exposure to the sunlight, benzene, and other chemicals. Even though the reasons mentioned earlier cause cancer, the main cause of many cancers still remains unknown. Prostate, lung, and colon cancers are the major ones that affect men in the United States, while breast, colon, and lung cancers are common in women.
It has been noted that different variations of this disease are present globally. But their rates vary as some are higher and lower in certain countries. Some experts say that maybe food plays a role. Cancer symptoms depend on the affected area and the type of cancer. Most cancers have the following symptoms: loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, chills, night sweats, weight loss, and malaise. Cancer can be tested in various ways. This includes a biopsy of the tumor, chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy for leukemia, and blood tests. Cancer can be treated depending on the severity of the infection, and the treatments include; surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and sometimes both chemotherapy and radiation. These lymph nodes can be removed if the tumor has spread to the local lymph nodes.
Risk Factors Related to Cancer
Healthcare providers have some idea of what increases the chances of getting cancer by a person. But most cancers happen in those individuals that do not have any identifiable risk factors. But we can discuss some common risk factors related to cancer here. The first one is the age of the person. Cancer is a disease that can take a long time to develop. That is why many individuals are diagnosed with this disease when they become senior citizens. Although it is a more common disease in a certain age group, it is not exclusively for the people in that age group alone. It can happen at any age. Another factor is the habits that you are following. Some lifestyle choices can increase your overall risk of cancer. Drinking and smoking more than a single drink a day for females and a couple of drinks for males can increase cancer risk. Also, high exposure to the rays of the sun or frequent sunburns, having unsafe sex, and being obese can cause this disease. You can modify these habits to decrease your chances of having this disease. Some habits can be changed quite easily when compared to others. There are not a lot of cancers that happen because of an inherited condition.
The disease may be common in your family. Then it is quite possible that the mutations are passed around from one generation to the other. You might also consider going for genetic testing to find out whether you have any inherited mutations that might lead to increased risk elements related to some variations of this disease. You should also remember that having any inherited genetic mutation does not mean you will acquire cancer. Also, there are some chronic health conditions that can cause a great increase in the risk of getting some types of cancers. You should have a consultation with your healthcare providers regarding these risks. The environment you live in may have some harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of getting this disease. You may not be a smoker. But if you inhale second-hand smoke by living with someone who smokes or working in a place where there are smokers, you are at risk. The chemicals in your workplace or home, such as benzene and asbestos, are also related to cancer.
Prevention for Cancer
There are a lot of ways in which you can decrease your risk of having this disease. One of them is to stop smoking. If you are involved in this habit, you should try to quit immediately. It is advisable not to start if you do not smoke. This habit is linked to many types of cancer, not only lung cancer. If you go on and stop right now, it will decrease your risk of having this disease in the future. Another thing is that you should try to avoid a lot of exposure to direct sunlight. This is because the ultraviolet rays from the sun are quite harmful and can increase the chances of getting skin cancer. You should try to restrict your exposure to the sun by remaining in the shade, applying sunscreen periodically, and wearing clothing that protects the skin. You should also attempt to eat a healthy diet with many vegetables and fruits. You can go for lean proteins and whole grains. You should restrict your overall intake of processed meats.
Conclusion
Cancer is a disease that can take a long time to develop. It is best if you undergo periodical tests to ensure that you are safe from all the signs associated with it. You should also try to reduce the risk elements to safeguard against the disease. The survivors of this disease also have a chance of getting it back. Some of the variations are more likely to come back than the others. You should consult your healthcare provider about the steps you can follow to decrease your overall risk of getting cancer again. The healthcare provider may give you a follow-up care plan after undergoing treatment. This plan may have periodic exams and scans in the future after your treatment to seek for recurrence of the disease.
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