Cancer is any disease that occurs when the cells in your body begin dividing uncontrollably. Cancer cells do not die and they begin to pile up on each other, forming tumors in the body. This uncontrolled, unhealthy growth uses up nutrients that the surrounding regions of the body need to stay healthy. So, the cancerous cells can invade surrounding areas and destroy healthy cells, stopping vital organs from functioning properly. Too much spreading of the cancer can lead to extensive bodily damage and waste buildup.

 

Cancer can be caused by a number of things – genetic mutations, exposure to certain substances, sedentary lifestyle, etc. Although the ocean of things that can trigger cancer is vast, and it is possible to get cancer without even having any of these “risk factors”, knowing some things can greatly help you to stay safer from cancer:

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Lifestyle: Eating high-fat unhealthy food very frequently, smoking, and drinking alcohol are some things that can increase likelihood of cancer. Lack of exercise and obesity can also be reasons. Risk of cancer also increases as age increases.

 

Family history: Having family members that have had cancer can increase its possibility as the cancer may be a part of the genetic code in your cells. Genetic/Hereditary cancer tests are a good way to identify if this is something applicable to you.

 

Genetic disorders: These can be caused from mutations already present in the cells of the body. The cells may stop functioning properly as a result of these mutations, which can cause cancer. Again, genetic testing is the best way to find these mutations, if any are present.

 

Exposure to chemicals: Many substances, like asbestos and lead, as well as the chemicals in cigarettes, can trigger cancer by causing mutations in some cells. Pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals in the ground can cause these, so it’s best to make sure you have some knowledge of what chemicals you are being exposed to on a day-to-day basis. Long exposure to the sun without protecting the skin is also a risk.

 

Biological exposure: Exposure to some types of pathogens can also trigger cancer in cells.

 

If cancer is detected from cells taken from a tumor, the patient must usually take some screenings (x-rays, sonography, PET-CT scans, MRI scan) to pinpoint the location/size of the tumor. Then, depending on the size and nature of the tumor and how far it’s spread, an operation may be applicable. After that, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, transplant, and other treatment may be prescribed. After treatment is over, the health of the body must be monitored to make sure that there are no unwanted after-effects.

 

However, cancer can be successfully treated and have a very small likelihood of coming back! Doctors may use the term “remission” when talking about this as there is always a possibility of undetected cancer cells coming back and causing cancer again, so it can never be said that the cancer is completely “cured”. Usually after a few years of successful cancer treatment, symptoms will stop and cancer cells will no longer be detected. However, cautious monitoring must be done for the next few years before the cancer can be safely declared as having left the body, although there is a chance that it may reappear.

 

The myth of cancer is seemingly “larger than life” – and there is no doubt that cancer can completely change someone’s, and their family’s, lives forever. However, with patience, support, and strength of mind and body, cancer can be conquered. Although life after cancer will always be different, it can still be filled with joy and happy memories. We want to support you by giving you some guidance concerning cancer so that you can lose your fear of it.

 

~Reliable Information~

 

These are websites that are useful for getting more detailed information on specific types of cancer; they also give a more detailed overview of cancer. These are all from leading cancer centers or groups around the world. Click on your type of cancer to get information on it.

 

https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/patients

https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/guidelines-by-topic

https://www.esmo.org/for-patients

https://society.asco.org/practice-patients/guidelines

https://tmc.gov.in/tmh/index.php/en/cancer-information

https://tmc.gov.in/tmh/index.php/en/patient-information

 

For more in-depth information about cancer, from prevention to rehabilitation after cancer, click below to start from prevention. The following pages will expound on what was previously stated on this page.

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Also, please make sure to check out our Sources Page for learning more information!