Cancer is abnormal growth of cells
in a part of the body. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start
because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.
Cancer cells develop because of
damage to DNA. This substance is in every cell and directs all activities. Most
of the time when DNA becomes damaged the body is able to repair it. In cancer
cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired. Cancer usually forms as a tumor. Some
cancers, like leukemia, do not form tumors.
Cancer cells travel to other parts
of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue. This process is
called metastasis. Benign (noncancerous) tumors do not spread (metastasize) to
other parts of the body and, with very rare exceptions, are not life
threatening.
Who gets Cancer?
Over one million people get cancer each year. Anyone can get cancer at any age; however, about 77% of all cancers
are diagnosed in people age of 55 and older.
Today, millions of people are living
with cancer or have been cured of the disease. The sooner a cancer is found and
the sooner treatment begins, the better a patient's chances are of a cure.
That's why early detection of cancer is such an important weapon in the fight
against cancer.
What are the Risk Factors for
Cancer?
Different types of cancer have
different risk factors. Some of the major risk factors include the following:
- Cancers of the
lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, cervix esophagus, and pancreas are
related to tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and
snuff. Smoking alone causes one-third of all cancer deaths.
- Skin cancer is
related to unprotected exposure to strong sunlight.
- Breast cancer risk
factors include several factors: age; changes in hormone levels throughout
life, such as age at first menstruation, number of pregnancies, and age at
menopause; obesity; and physical activity. Some studies have also shown a
connection between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast
cancer. Also, women with a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are
more likely to develop the disease themselves.
- While all men
are at risk for prostate cancer, several factors can increase the chances
of developing the disease, such as age, race, and diet. The chance of
getting prostate cancer goes up with age. Prostate cancer is more common
among African-American men than among white men. (We do not yet know why
this is so.) A high-fat diet may play a part in causing prostate cancer.
Also, men with a father or brother who have had prostate cancer are more
likely to get prostate cancer themselves
What causes Cancer?
Some kinds of cancer are caused by
things people do. Few examples are Smoking can cause cancers
of the lungs, mouth, throat, bladder, kidneys and several other organs, as well
as heart disease and stroke. Drinking a lot of alcohol has
also been shown to increase a person's chance of getting cancer of the mouth,
throat, and some other organs. This is especially true if the person drinks and
smokes. Radiation (x-rays) can cause cancer. But the x-rays
used by the doctor or dentist are safe.
Too much exposure to sunlight
without any protection can cause skin cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
General Cancer Signs and Symptoms:
It is important to know some of the
general signs and symptoms of cancer. They include unexplained weight loss,
fever, fatigue, pain, and changes in the skin. Of course, it’s important to
remember that having any of these does not necessarily mean that cancer is
present--there are many other conditions that can cause these signs and
symptoms as well.
Unexplained weight loss: An
unexplained weight loss of about 10 pounds may be the first sign of cancer,
particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.
Fever: Fever
is very common with cancer, but is more often seen in advanced disease. Almost
all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, particularly if the
cancer or its treatment affects the immune system and reduces resistance to
infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as with
Hodgkin's disease.
Fatigue: Fatigue
may be a significant symptom as the cancer progresses. It may occur early,
however, especially if the cancer is causing a chronic loss of blood, as in
some colon or stomach cancers.
Pain: Pain
may be an early sign with some cancers, such as bone cancers. Most often,
however, pain is a symptom of advanced disease.
Skin changes: In
addition to cancers of the skin, some internal cancers can produce visible skin
signs such as darkening (hyperpigmentation) yellowing (jaundice), reddening
(erythema), itching, or excessive hair growth.
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