Women Cancer

Cancer By Age in Women

by AwarenessBlog

Cancer is one of the many diseases that affect humans. But this disease of cancer is very dreadful. Cancer is a disease in which a single normal body cell undergoes a genetic transformation into a cancer cell. This grows into a number of cells and forms into a tumour, and these tumours produce the symptoms of Cancer. Cancer can spread throughout a person’s body. 

Cancer can affect anyone from children to women and men and at any age. Cancer can affect a person as he gets older, in people 45 and above. It’s because as years pass by cells turn faulty or mutate and grow into cancer. This means as we age, we are more exposed to sunlight, cigarette smoke, chemicals and other cancer-causing agents for a long time.

Types of Cancer in Women

Cancers that affect women are:

    1. BREAST CANCER
    2. COLORECTAL CANCER
    3. ENDOMETRIAL
    4. LUNG
    5. OVARIAN CANCERS.

To save the lives of women and help them lead a healthy life, the only way is diagnosing cancer as early as possible.

BREAST CANCER

This cancer can start at any age, and the risk goes up as one grows older. Every woman should know about the dangers of breast cancer and what they can do to lower the risk of this cancer.

  • The most trustworthy way to find out about breast cancer is to do the screening test regularly.
  • MAMMOGRAM is a screening test done by taking the x-ray of the breast. From the age of 40 and above the mammogram test should be done at least once in two years.
  • All the women should know what the mammogram test can and cannot do.  Every woman should know how their breast looks and feels, and in case they find any changes must consult a doctor.

COLORECTAL CANCER

This cancer starts in the colon or rectum.

REASONS are:

  1. Obesity
  2. Less of physical activity
  3. A diet high in red and processed meat
  4.  Smoking
  5. Consumption of alcohol
  6. Personal or family history

To check colorectal cancer, one needs to :

  • Regularly get a screening test of the colon.
  • A small growth on the lining of the rectum is seen.
  • Through screening, if the growth is small, it can be removed before it turns into cancer.
  • From the age of 45 through 75 years, a regular screening test can be done.
  • If there is a family history before 45 also a screening test can be done.

ENDOMETRIAL CANCER​

  • It is the cancer of the inner lining of the uterus( endometrium ).
  • The risk of getting this cancer increases with age.
  • If the hormones are affected when a woman takes medicines for being treated for breast cancer, this cancer starts.
  • If menstrual periods start early in age, menopause is late, history of infertility or not having children can increase the risk of getting this cancer.
  • Personal or family history or being obese can also get this cancer.
  • Women who must have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer can also get endometrial cancer.

There is no particular screening or symptoms of endometrial cancer. Any unusual discharge, spotting, or bleeding from the vagina during periods or after menopause should be reported.

Women who have had colorectal cancer at 35 years must go in for an endometrial biopsy every year. A regular pelvic exam can also help to diagnose endometrial cancer.

LUNG CANCER

  • Smoking or passive smoking can be the cause of this cancer
  • Long duration of exposure to chemicals and other particles in the air.
  • To escape from lung cancer- if a person is not a smoker do not start, avoid breathing the smoke if other people are smoking.
  • Generally from 55 to 75 years of age are prone to lung cancer.
  • A CT scan can help to diagnose lung cancer.

CERVICAL CANCER

  • HPV( human papillomavirus ) is the common risk factor of cervical cancer.
  • HPV one can get through the skin to skin contact like having vaginal, anal or oral sex if that person has this virus. 
  • A woman can also get if she is a smoker, has a weak immune system, is obese or even if exposed to hormone treatments. 

CAN AVOID CERVICAL CANCER BY:

  1. HPV vaccine can be taken by boys and girls from the age of 12 through 26.
  2. Avoid smoking.
  3. Use a condom to protect yourself
  4. People between 27 and 45 can take the advice of a doctor if the HPV vaccine is needed and  every 5 years HPV tests can be taken
  5. Regular screening tests will help to find changes in the cervix and if treated early, can avoid getting cancer.
  6. People above 65 years of age and if they had a cervical cancer test in the past 10 years and were normal need not get any further tests.
  7. Women who have got their uterus and cervix removed through hysterectomy can stop the cervical cancer test.

OVARIAN CANCER

  • This cancer can occur at any age, but older women are more likely to get it.
  • Childless women and who have children after 35 can get ovarian cancer.
  • Women with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or breast cancer can get ovarian cancer.
  • Women who did not have any other cancer can still get ovarian cancer
  • No screening tests or pap test can detect ovarian cancer, but a pelvic test can help to diagnose ovarian cancer.

Symptoms for Ovarian Cancer

  1. Abdominal swelling and weight loss.
  2. loss of appetite, bloating of the stomach.
  3. pain in the pelvic or in the abdomen
  4. urge to urinate all the time.

Reduce the Risk by

  1. Stop smoking totally.
  2. Regular exercise
  3. Stay healthy
  4. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains.
  5. Best for women is to stay away from alcohol or not take more than one peg per day.

Can a Women Have a Baby After Cancer Treatment

After cancer treatment, both husband and wife doubt if they can have a baby, a difficult decision to take.

Some may suggest waiting for six months after chemo as the damaged cells will leave the body. 

Some times, the patient may be asked to wait for two to five years as there may be a chance for cancer to come back.

Children of cancer survivors do not have a risk of the disease, but a few cancers are passed from the genes.

It’s always safe to go according to the doctor’s advice, as the doctor needs to check certain organs and see that the pregnancy is safe. The patient might be referred to an obstetrician, who will take care.

During cancer treatment, if a woman gets pregnant, certain tests are a must like—x-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, biopsy, pap test and so on.

A team of doctors will carefully monitor the pregnancy and will look for a safe delivery.

Breastfeeding can also be done as cancer cells won’t pass from the patient mother to the baby. For some treatments like chemo, breastfeeding can be stopped.

Treatment for a pregnant woman and a non-pregnant woman is the same.

Awareness of Cancer in Women

Though most of the women are aware of breast cancer alone, they do not have much knowledge of other cancers and even about the symptoms of breast cancer.

So in a few companies, they discuss cancer by wearing coloured ribbons and request everyone to participate in the discussion.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Creating awareness of cancers among women will have a positive impact on people across the nation and the world.

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The Immune System and How Cancer Affects It

by AwarenessBlog

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs. This network together helps the body to fight infections and any other diseases. When germs like bacteria or viruses attack, invade and multiply, it is known as infection, and this makes a person sick. Our immune system protects us from the disease by fighting the germs that attack our body. Hence we must protect and keep our immune system healthy.

When a person is affected with cancer, he develops a higher risk of infection. At this time, the cancer cells change the immune system cells; actually, the immune system cells protected our body once but now begin to interfere with its function. Cancer cells get into the bone marrow cells in which blood cells are made.

The Main Parts of the Immune System that Fight Infection are:

  1. White blood cells
  2. Antibodies
  3. The complement system
  4. The lymphatic system
  5. The spleen
  6.  The thymus 
  7. The bone marrow.

Immune System Fights Cancer:

Our immune system protects our body from the harmful effects of the abnormal cells and even from cancer cells. Sometimes the cancer cells escape from getting detected and form tumors. If a tumor is developed the immune system becomes weak, but at times our body’s immune system can fight and destroy cancer from within by re-activating the immune cells. The cancer cells can also protect themselves from being destroyed by the immune system.

Many studies have proved that the best way to fight cancer is to build a robust immune system and allow it to do the work of fighting the cancer. This is known as IMMUNOTHERAPY.

  • Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment, our body’s immune system itself fights the disease.
  • The treatment is also known as Biological Therapy.
  • Our body uses and involves our cells, organs and proteins and fights the illness.
  • Immunotherapy works in different ways- some stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.
  • Some time our immune system- destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells and also from spreading.
  • Immunotherapy can be given separately, or it is combined with other cancer treatments.
  • There are many types of immunotherapy and Cancer Vaccines is one of them.

A CANCER VACCINE: exposes the immune system to a foreign protein, called an antigen

  • Then the immune system identifies and destroys the antigen.
  • There are two types of cancer vaccine prevention and treatment 

Cancer Treatment can Increase Infection Risk:

  • Specific cancer treatments interfere with the way our immune system works, for example, if a person has spleen cancer and the spleen is removed it can be long term damage as the spleen is a part of the immune system.
  • A bone marrow or stem cell transplant treatment high doses are used; this also damages the immune system cells for a long time.

SURGERY:

  1. Any major surgery can weaken the immune system.
  2. The wound caused by any surgery can cause infection.
  3. Antibiotics may be given after surgery to protect from infection.

Chemotherapy:

  • Chemo is the most common cause of a weakened immune system in cancer patients who go through this treatment.
  • Chemo can cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood; this means that the body cannot fight the infections as it should.

This disadvantage may be because of many reasons, like:

  1. Which chemo drug is used, the dosage used.
  2. How often chemo was given.
  3. The past cancer treatments.
  4. The type of cancer.
  5. The person’s age.
  6. The person’s nutritional status.
  7. The stage of cancer.

Rebuild Immune System After Chemotherapy

The common ways to take care of the immune system are:

  1. sufficient rest
  2. eating a healthy diet
  3. exercising regularly and reduce stress
  4. the best way is to follow the doctor’s advice.
  5. symptoms or signs of infection report to the doctor.
  6. all this should be followed until the immune system is back to normal.

Apart from these treatments, Radiation therapy, targeted therapy can also affect the immune system. So people with poor nutrition can weaken the immune system. They need sufficient vitamins, minerals, calories and proteins to strengthen their immune system.

Cancers That Can Be Treated With Immunotherapy:

  1. Bladder cancer
  2. Breast cancer
  3. Brain cancer
  4. Cervical and Ovarian cancers
  5. Colorectal cancer
  6. Head and Neck cancer
  7. Kidney cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer,
  8. Leukemia
  9. Prostate cancer
  10.  Skin cancer 
  11. Lymphoma

The Two Main Parts of the Immune System:

THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM: 

  • People are born with it, and it is active from birth.
  • When a cell changes into an abnormal cell, our immune system surrounds it and kills it inside the immune system cell itself. These cells are known as PHAGOCYTES.

THE ADAPTIVE ( ACQUIRED ) IMMUNE SYSTEM:

The acquired immune system, along with the innate immune system, produces cells called antibodies that protect the body from abnormal cells. These antibodies protect the patient’s body from the abnormal cells by forming cells called B Lymphocytes.

Boosting of Immune System by Cancer Patients:

  1. Intake of protective drugs for infections or to boost the immune system, this treatment helps the growth of blood cells
  2. Taking flu shots every year or it can be taken two weeks before chemo or in between chemo cycles.
  3. Eating nutritious food with enough calories and nutrients. Wash thoroughly before eating raw fruits and vegetables and cook meat, egg and dairy products well.
  4. Regularly wash hands with soap and warm water, after blowing your nose, spending time in public places and using the washroom.
  5. Do not visit sick people, better to stay away, sharing any items like towels and soap.
  6. Avoid touching animal waste, cages, pens or otherwise wear gloves while handling and wash your hands well.
  7. Any sign of infection report to the treating doctor like fever, cough, sore throat, body pain 
  8. Find out dos and don’ts from the doctor.

Diet to Boost the Immuno System

Foods that boost the immune system

  • citrus fruits
  • red bell peppers
  • broccoli
  • garlic
  • spinach
  • yogurt
  • almonds
  • ginger
  • sunflower seeds
  • turmeric
  • poultry
  • Shellfish

Eating one of these foods is not sufficient to ensure that daily and the required intake is a must. Breakfast eat like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.

Today we are living in the electronic age. Electronics dominate every aspect of human life. The human body is capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation to a certain limit. But we are crossing the required limit which is harmful to our immune system of the body.

We are not aware that the loss of the immune system will lead to multi-organ failure. Though there is no escape from this, one way to protect is by exercise can help in the normal functioning of our immune system. Many are aware but do not follow strictly that less stress, proper sleep, diet and exercise can boost our immune system. In general, Immunotherapy is an important approach to find new cancer treatments.

hair-loss-woman- young-adult

Can Cancers in Young Adults Be Prevented?

by AwarenessBlog

Cancer starts when cells in a person’s body begin to grow out of control. There are many kinds of cancer, but it starts when abnormal cells grow out of control. Cancer is considered to be the second leading cause of death in the world. Today, millions of people are living with this dreadful disease called cancer. 

Cancers in young adults have become a common disease these days. Cancer is young adults are different from elders and are related to genetic and lifestyle. People under the age group from 14 to 44 years come under this category. When their potential years of life to lead a healthy life is ahead of them and if they need to suffer, it is matter to think and prevent at the earliest.

Common Cancers in Young Adults are:

Men: –Cancer of mouth, Stomach, Testis, Bone and Penis.

Women:–Mouth, Cervix uterus, Breast, Thyroid, and Stomach.

Finding Cancer in Young Adults is Difficult Because:

  • Young adults are generally healthy and do not go to a doctor unless there is a need.
  • The priority list is for other things like—college, career, friends, family, no regular doctor.
  • Financial issues, no health insurance, so do not want to see a doctor.
  • Sometimes even if the symptoms are there, cancer may not be on the list, so a delay in diagnosis.
  • Generally, cancer is overlapped with common illness or injuries, bumps or bruises.
  • Still, if cancer is detected early, treatment will be successful.

Symptoms of Cancer in Young Adults:

Though it is difficult to diagnose cancer in young adults, still some signs and symptoms are:

  1. Lump or swelling in the neck, breast, belly or testicle.
  2. Tiredness or loss of energy that cannot be explained.
  3. Abnormal bleeding.
  4. Pain in one part of the body,
  5. Fever or illness continues for a long time and does not go away.
  6. Frequent headache with vomiting.
  7. Vision changes.
  8. Loss of appetite and so weight loss drastically.
  9. A new mole or spot on the skin and changes in size, shape and colour.

Common Cancer in Young Adults:

The common cancers in young adults are not unique, but still different from those that affect children and older adults. The most common ones are:

    1. Breast cancer: though this common in young adults and can be benign, but sometimes it can be cancer, early diagnosis, better chances of survival.
    2. Lymphomas: it affects the lymph nodes-like tonsils or thymus-organ in front of the heart and can affect the bone marrow and other organs.
    3. Melanoma: a type of skin cancer, this is the most common cancer in youngsters of 30 years of age, especially if it is the family. Can be cured if detected early. 
    4. Sarcomas: muscles, bones or fat cells
    5. Cervix and ovary: most in women, the symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding.
    6. Thyroid cancer: a lump in front of the neck, mostly found in women, can be cured in young adults.
    7. Testicular cancer: a lump on the testicle swelling or the testicle becomes larger.
    8. Colorectal cancer: cancers of the colon and rectum, for young adults because of inherited genetic disease.
    9. Brain and spinal cord tumours.

Causes of Cancers in Young Adults:

Life style like SMOKING, OVERWEIGHT, EATING UNHEALTHY DIET, NO PROPER EXERCISE AND TOO MUCH CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL.

Apart from these, the other causes are – Exposure to ultraviolet light of the sun.

HPV, HIV, treatment with Chemo and Radiation.

Treatment of Cancers in Young Adults:

The treatment for cancers in young adults is the same as in other age groups, it only depends on the type and stage of cancer. The treatments are:

  • SURGERY:  For young adults have a few advantages when it is surgery because health problems are less than older people and anaesthesia is given young people cope better than children.
  • RADIATION THERAPY: High-energy rays are used, may not have many side effects.
  • CHEMOTHERAPY AND OTHER DRUGS: It is treated with the usage of drugs, pills that need to be swallowed and generally young adults can withstand higher doses of chemo than older adults.
  • TARGETED THERAPY: This is by giving newer targeted therapy drugs along with chemo.
  • HORMONE THERAPY: Some hormones grow in the body example breast cancer, so this treatment stops the cancer cells.
  • IMMUNOTHERAPY: The drugs given help the cancer cells that attack the body cells.
  • STEM CELL TRANSPLANT: It is also known as a bone marrow transplant. This treatment is an option because of its side effects and cost.

Common Questions That Are Asked:

  • What problems a young adult face after the treatment for cancer?

Answer: Many of the young adults after treatment get back to normal work and life, but they do face certain physical and psychological problems.  So awareness of the disease and to educate the patient to cope and face life normally with frequent visits to the treating doctor can solve the problem.

  • Why did I get back my cancer? Will I get back cancer?

Answer: Chances of getting back is rare if the treatment was proper and regular checkups were done and if the doctor’s instructions were followed well. Change is lifestyle is a must, like stop smoking, reduce the consumption of alcohol.

Awareness and Knowledge of Cancers in Young Adults:

Awareness and knowledge of cancers in young adults is a must for them as they have a long life ahead of them. Many of them are aware that smoking causes cancer but they are totally or partially ignorant of most of the cancers that can affect them. The best way is to educate them from an early age by conducting seminars and workshops at the high school and college levels.

Short term courses during summer for youngsters can also help them to gain certain knowledge of the dreadful disease known as cancer. If it can be informed that their lifestyle is one of the causes, it can help them to lead protective young adulthood.

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CANCERS BY AGE IN MEN

by AwarenessBlog

Cancer is considered to be the second deadliest disease in the world. When cells become abnormal, divide uncontrollably, spread to any part of the body and destroy other tissues it becomes cancerous. Due to new methods of treatment the survival rate is also increasing. There is no particular age for cancer to start, children, women and men are liable to be affected with cancer. It’s also true that men are more prone because of certain life styles that they follow, especially as they age.

Men and Cancer

Always remind the men in your life that cancer risk can be minimized if proper health practices are followed and with regular check up.

Five Most Common Cancers in Men are

  1. Prostate Cancer
  2. Lung Cancer
  3. Colorectal Cancer
  4. Bladder Cancer.
  5. Melanoma ( Skin Cancer).

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is detected in men above 65 years of age. Generally if there is a history of Prostate cancer in the family, from the age of 40 if an annual screening test can be done for early detection and treatment to reduce the risk factor.

Some cells the prostate gland become abnormal and begin to divide to grow, divide and live then causes cancer. It is a small walnut shaped gland that produces seminal fluid in the sperm. If diagnosed early it can be treated.

Symptoms

  1. The force in the stream of urine decreases, problem while urinating.
  2. Blood is seen in semen.
  3. There is discomfort in the pelvic region.
  4. Bone pain.

Treatment

Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Hormonal Therapy and cryosurgery.

Prevention

  1. Healthy diet like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid fatty-foods.
  2. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
  3. Exercise regularly, keep a check on your weight.
  4. Talk to a doctor about the risk factor of prostate cancer.

Lung Cancer

This cancer is mainly diagnosed in men 65 years and above, very rarely in younger men of 45 years of age.

Causes

When a tumor is formed in the lungs and grows uncontrollably.

  • Age is another cause-65 to 70 years.
  • Family history, if any immediate family had lung cancer, is also prone to get.
  • Smoking, is the main cause. Even passive smokers can get the disease. Heavy smokers and those who started smoking from a young age.
  • Exposure to asbestos( miners, mill workers) and other chemical(niclel, chromium, arsenic, dieselexhaust and air pollution)..
  • Exposure to a colourless, scent-less radioactive gas(Radon), found in houses.

Treatment

Surgery Wedge resection: removal of a small section of the lung.

Segmental resection: removal of a large portion of the lung.

Lobectomy: removing of the entire lobe of one lung.

Pnemonectomy: remove the entire lung.

Prevention

In spite of a number of campaigns and public awareness programmes are taken up still people take the risk of smoking extensively.

  • Those who quit smoking for 15 years, 80% to 90% of risk is reduced to get lung cancer. Medication and counseling will help to quit smoking and determination.
  •  Eating plenty of fruit, speaking to a health care provider, before changing the diet.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Certain medication 
  • But still none have been proven to stop from being effected.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer, is the third most common cancer in men worldwide and the second largest deaths that occur due to cancer is this disease. This is also the cause of death in gastrointestinal cancer. 90% of the people suffering with this disease are above 60 years of age. This cancer develops in the colon or rectum.

Causes for Colorectal Cancer

  1. Age is a common factor.
  2. Modern diet
  3. Smoking
  4. No physical exercise
  5. Obesity.

Symptoms

  1. Loss of appetite
  2.  Vomiting
  3. Changes in bowels habits.
  4. Bright or dark blood in stools.
  5. Abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating.

If all this continues for then two weeks, a doctor must be consulted.

Conventional treatments

  • Surgery.
  • Radiotherapy.
  • Chemotherapy.

These treatments are administered alone or together. But there is no guarantee that it will be cured completely. So, new treatments have come up, like

  • Immunotherapy.
  • Targeted therapies.
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor(VEGF) Targeted Therapies.
  • Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Targeted Therapies.

Prevention of Colorectal Cancers

  • Managing diet,decrease red and processed meat. Increase fiber- fruits, vegetables,whole grains.
  • Stay healthy & exercise.
  • Physical activity, reduce sitting and lying down frequently.
  • Reduce intake of alcohol or stop completely.
  • Quit smoking totally.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer is more common in men than in women, especially in older men, from the age of 55 to 73 years of age. Even now the reason is unknown why men are more prone to this disease than women.

Causes

  • Bladder Cancer develops, when a change takes place inside the DNA of certain cells, which grows uncontrollably and form tumors.
  • Smoking and usage of tobacco products.
  • Exposed to toxins- paint, metal, dyes, petroleum products and dangerous chemicals.

Symptoms

  1. Blood in urine, painful urination.
  2. Frequent urination
  3. Urinate a number of times at night.
  4. Feeling to urinate but do not pass.
  5. Lower back pain on one side of the body.

Treatment

  1. Surgery.
  2. Chemotherapy.
  3. Immunotherapy.
  4. Targeted therapy.
  5. Radiation therapy.

Melanoma ( Skin cancer)

Melanoma, is more common in men because they do not protect themselves from the sun, as women since they apply sunscreen lotions and make up. The age to get affected with this disease is from 50 to 80 years. Men also do not know much about skin cancer.

Causes

  • Men have thick skin with less fat, so more likely to be damaged by ultraviolet rays of the sun.
  • Men’s skin reacts more to UV rays.
  • Presence of more moles.
  • Brown birth mark-
  • Pale skin, that easily gets tanned.
  • Family history,
  • A previous organ transplant.

Symptoms

  1. Skin changes- anew spot or mole or existing  ones color, shape or size changes,
  2. A spot or sore- if becomes painful, itchy and soft or bleeds.
  3. A lump that looks shiny, smooth or pale.
  4. A flat red spot which is dry, rough or scaly.

Treatment

  • Surgery- lesion,  if melanoma covers a large area- skin grafting.
  • Radiation therapy.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy.
  • Targeted therapy.

Prevention

  1. Put on a broad rimmed hat and sunglasses’
  2. Stay in the shade, avoiding sunburns..
  3. Wear long sleeved shirts and full pants when possible.
  4. When it is very hot, stay away from the sun.
  5. Apply sunscreen lotion.

The Rarest Cancer Among Men​

Unbelievable, but true. The rearest cancer in men is BREAST CANCER. It is a painless lump or there is a thickening in the breast tissue. There are changes in the skin covering the breast, like scaling, puckering, redness or dimpling. The nipple turns inward and the color also changes to red and scaling occurs. Sometimes it is common in older men.

 Treatment, is the breast tissue is removed. According to the situation Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy is recommended by the doctors.

Awareness of these five common cancers and other cancers which aged men are prone to is less. If diagnosed early and treated results would be better. Generally June month is assigned to spread the awareness of cancers among aged men.

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WHY SOME CANCERS COME BACK

by AwarenessBlog

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. When body’s normal control mechanism stops working Cancer develops. Old cells do not die but when they grow out of control and form new cells, a mass of tissue or tumor is formed, called cancer. Cancer are named after the place that they grow at, like Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colorectal cancer and so on.

Though these cancers can be treated with advanced technologies through Surgery—where the tumor is directly removed; Chemotherapy-chemicals are used to kill the cancer cells; Radiation Therapy- X-rays are used to kill the cancer cells, cancer sometimes is not fully treated it comes back.

Reasons for Cancer to Come Back

Even after treatment some cancer cells may remain in the body. As time passes these cells multiply and grow in size and form cancer again. This can be identified through conducting tests again. When and where the cancer comes back depends on the type of cancer. It can come back after weeks, months or even after years of the original cancer was treated. Doctors also cannot predict if the cancer will recur.

Cancer Can Recur in The Following Ways

  • Local recurrence in the original cancer area.
  • Regional recurrence near the original cancer area.
  • Distant recurrence in another part of the body.

Recurrent Cancer: The recurrent cancer is known by the name, where it originally started even if it recurs in some other part of the body. For example, if breast cancer recurs in the liver, it is still called breast cancer and not liver cancer. Doctors call it metastatic breast cancer, means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.

Cancer Recurrence Symptoms

  1. bladder and bowel habits change.
  2. a sore that does not heal.
  3. unusual discharge or bleeding.
  4. lump in the breast or in any other part of the body.
  5. indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
  6. wart or mole changes in it.
  7. continues cough.
  8. Tiredness.

Reducing the Risk of Cancer Recurrence

Regular exercise, weight to be maintained, reduce stress, healthy eating, consumption of alcohol should reduce, stop smoking, keep the doctor ie the oncologist about any changes in the body.

When cancers comes back it doesn’t mean that the treatment was wrong. Cancer cells are difficult to understand, some of them survive through strong therapies.

Tests conducted to find out cancer has recurred are imaging scans, lab tests, and biopsies. These tests help the doctor to identify if the cancer has recurred or it’s a new one, known as secondary cancer. Second cancers are not very common unlike the recurrence cancers.

Treatment

Cancers that recur do not respond to treatments that well like it had responded the first time. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, location and as to how much it has advanced.

If the cancer has recurred in the original area surgery or radiation is advised. If the cancer has spread to a distant place than chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiation is conducted.

Second cancer

A new cancer is a second cancer. Someone who already had cancer gets it. It is totally a new cancer completely different from the earlier one. A recurrence cancer is one when the first one comes back, even if it comes back in another area. Second cancers are also common.

Risk Factor of Second Cancer

The risk factor in second cancer is very high:

Inherited genes-Second cancer is passed from a parent to the child.

Cancer remains after treatment- sometimes very few cancer cells are left even after treatment.

Certain cancer treatments: sometimes chemotherapy and radiation treatment also can bring back the second cancer. This may be because of continuing to smoke, drinking alcohol, over-weight, eating unhealthy diet. This second cancer can be prevented if smoking is stopped, alcohol consumption is reduced, exercise regularly.

Cancer Recurrence Statistics

7% of the cancer patients fear that their might recur. So generally doctors do discuss and try to remove the fear through answering their direct questions or through a questionnaire.

Glioblastoma( brain and spinal cord), recurs in all the cancer patients even if they are treated.

Ovarian cancer, in 85% of the patients this cancer recurs.

Soft tissue sarcoma, in 50% it recurs. If diagnosed in the later stage recurrence is 100%.

Bladder cancer, in 50% of the patients the recurrence is there after cystectomy.

Pancreatic cancer, in spite of  chemotherapy 36% to 46% recurrence.

B-cell lymphoma, recurrence in 30% to 40% patients.

T-cell lymphoma, recurs in 75% of the patients.

Some cancers are treated in earlier stages, so the percentage of recurrence is less, for example kidney cancer, leukemia in children and so on.

Cancer Remission

Cancer remission means that the signs and symptoms of cancer have reduced. It can be partial or completely reduced. If it is complete remission then the signs and symptoms have totally disappeared. Doctors in such a situation say that the disease is fully cured. If the cancer comes back after remission then it is called recurrence.  When a person is in remission sometimes means there a little chance or no signs of cancer. But still it is better to see the doctor with regular appointments, to check that cancer does not develop again. To go into remission chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, bone marrow therapy can also be done. So to keep the cancer away eating healthy, exercising, stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption joining a support group can help.

Survival of Cancer Recurrence

After being treated for cancer, 3% of these survivors develop a second cancer, different from the original one. These patients survive long because of advancements in treatment. Fear of recurrence in more in less educated, women, unmarried,  because of higher levels of depression and anxiety, mental and physical tiredness and because of quality of life is low and mainly because follow up treatment is not taken seriously. Generally breast cancer, colon cancer and melanoma come back. Many of them can survive for months or years with the right treatment,  for such patients it’s like diabetes or heart disease. Staying positive also helps for survival. Early detection and treated, survival chances are more. Counselling will also help to face the recurrence of cancer. Joining a support group or online group to share and exchange feelings and experiences with others who are survivors helps to cope better with the disease.

Young woman in bed suffering from cancer. Thoughtful woman battling with tumor looking out of window. Young patient with blue headscarf recovery in hospital on bed.

HOW LONG CAN YOU HAVE CANCER WITHOUT KNOWING ABOUT IT?

by AwarenessBlog

There are two types of solid tumors, one is cancerous, known as malignant and the other is non- cancerous, known as benign. When the cancerous tumors spreads into the nearby tissues in our body, they begin to grow and some of the cells travel to the other parts of the body and form called ‘secondary’ tumors, theses are known as metastases. These solid malignant tumors are known as carcinomas- cancers that start in the liver or kidneys, and sarcomas- cancers that form in the muscles, bones and nerves.

The five main types of cancers are—Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Myeloma, Leukemia and Lymphoma. Apart from these there are some cancers which are undetected.

The common cancers can go undetected sometimes until they reach the 3rd or 4th stages. These tumors are known as ‘late stage’ cancers. They are the most dangerous forms of cancer. These can be the cancers of the Lung, Ovarian, colorectal, cervical and breast. Some of these cancers can grow undetected for 10 years or more.

Undetected Lung Cancer: Most of the lung cancers go undetected, as they do not cause any symptoms until they spread. Sometimes even a chest x-ray which is usually the first test also does not show any signs of cancer. If a person continues to have cough, severe tiredness, loss of appetite and if fluid builds up around the lungs. If detected at an early stage can be cured.

Undetected Ovarian Cancer: This cancer also goes undetected until it has spread to the pelvis and abdomen. It can go undetected for more than 10 years because of the size, until it grows to the size of a large grape. The late symptoms can be abdominal pain, pain in the kidney, weight loss, frequent urination, constipation.

Undetected Colorectal Cancer: Many a times colorectal cancer can also go undetected .People above 50 years, if you find blood in the stool; if it is in the family ; abdominal pain, continuous weight loss ; and if you become anemic; better consult a doctor immediately. Early detection can cure it, otherwise it’s risky.

Undetected Cervical Cancer:  Often cervical cancer goes undetected as symptoms are very less. It starts as an abnormal growth in the cells, which are not cancerous and slowly spread into the bladder, intestines, lungs, and liver. This can take years to change to cervical cancer.  After a certain age if pap smear is done regularly, it can be detected early and treated.

Undetected Breast Cancer: Sometimes even after a doctor examines the lump in a woman’s breast, breast cancer can go undetected, as symptoms vary from person to person, even if the symptoms like hard lump, pain in the breast and nipple, skin irritation and so on are there but still it can go undetected, if proper tests are not done, if the results are not read correctly and if the files get exchanged, it goes undetected. Early detection and treatment can save a patient’s life.

Characteristics of undetected cancers:

There are different characteristics of undetected cancers that should not be neglected and these warnings signs must be taken up seriously:

  • If any part of the body thickens or a lump grows
  • If a sore continues to bleed,
  • If any opening in the body begins to bleed or any form of discharge is there from it.
  • If there is a change in bowel or bladder habits.
  • If a cough continues and the voice turns hoarse.
  • If there is a swallowing and digestion problem,
  • If the mole on the skin changes.
  • If an ulcer tumour smells unpleasant.

If these above symptoms are found, it’s better to see a doctor immediately.

Hardest Cancer to detect:

One of the most dangerous type of cancer is Pancreatic Cancer, because it spreads rapidly and there is no method that it can be detected early. There are no specific symptoms until later stages, as it grows silently and is painless.

Symptoms:

  •  Pancreatic cancer block the duct that releases bile into the intestine and it builds up into the blood and the skin and eyes turn yellow causing Jaundice.
  •  Abdominal and back pain that comes and goes.
  • Nausea, vomiting, bloating of the abdomen after eating.
  •  Sometimes with all these symptoms also a person may or may not have pancreatic cancer.

TYPES OF CANCER:

CARCINOMA

This is the most common cancer. It starts in the tissue of the skin that lines the internal organs of the liver or kidneys. This cancer either stays at its primary location where it has started or can also spread to the other parts of the body.

Symptoms : Causes can be exposure to the sun and usage of  tanning beds.

  • A small bump like growth on the skin, in the color of pink, black or brown.
  • A pimple or a mole that does not go away.
  • A waxy, hard growth on the skin.

Treatment: Usage of creams, pills, surgery or radiation therapy.

LEUKEMIA

This is a life threatening malignant disorder of the blood and the bone. This cancer mostly occurs in adolescents and young adults. This disease affects the blood forming tissues of the bone marrow, lymph nodes and the spleen.

Symptoms –weakness, spending most of the sleeping, weight loss, no appetite, and no proper concentration.

Treatment:  Chemotherapy is the major treatment. The drug kills the leukemia cells. The other treatments are biological therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant and so on.

SARCOMA

This is considered to be the IV stage of cancer, when it spreads to distant parts of the body. At this stage it’s rarely curable. If the primary tumor and all the areas it has spread if it can be removed by surgery, it’s curable.

Sarcomas start in the bone or muscle or in soft tissues like fat, nerves blood vessels, deep skin and fibrous tissues.

Treatments– chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

MYELOMA

This cancer forms in white blood cell also known as plasma cell. The plasma cell fights infections by making antibodies and attack germs.

Symptoms: Fatigue, pain, loss of appetite constipation and vomiting.

Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, bone marrow transplant and biological therapy.

LYMPHOMA

This is a cancer which can spread in any part of the body. It a part of the germ-fighting network in the body- lymph glands, spleen, bone marrow or in any part of the body.

Symptoms: Painless swelling- neck, armpits or groin. Fever, tiredness, breathlessness, weight loss, itchy skin.

Treatment– Chemotherapy, medication, radiation therapy and rarely stem-cell transplant. 

Any type of cancer if detected earlier can be treated and follow up sessions with the treating doctor is a must.

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BRAIN CANCER AND RADIATION THERAPY

by AwarenessBlog

The brain is the most important organ in our human body. It performs multifarious functions like it controls, coordinates our actions and reactions. It helps us to feel, think, have memories and feelings. So it’s our duty to keep it healthy and safe. In spite of taking all the precautions, still there are chances of tumours forming in the brain. Like cancer spreads in any part of the body, it can also spread to the brain. A cancerous or non-cancerous mass or growth of abnormal cells can start in the brain.

Symptoms can be headache, blurred vision, loss of balance, confusion and seizures. In some cases there are no symptoms at all. Brain Cancer can occur in adults and children. However technological advancement in radiation therapy has made it possible to manage primary brain tumours.

Brain Cancer and Radiation Therapy:

Where surgery cannot remove the tumour formed in the brain, radiation therapy can go deep into the tissues, break the DNA and can also kill the brain tumour cells. Radiation Therapy is as effect as surgery, it can even reduce the chances of a tumour to come back again. Today radiation therapies are more advanced and people who undergo treatment through them can live longer.

Radiation kills Cancer

Today doctors treat brain tumours through radiation therapy as it’s more effective in destroying cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy— Whole –brain radiation therapy and Stereotactic radio surgery.

 Whole-brain radiation therapy

Stereotactic radio surgery:

This is more preferred as with a high dose of radiation only the tumour is focused and treated, hence side effects are very less. But still these are the best two ways to detect brain tumours early.

In this treatment the entire brain can be targeted, even those tumours that cannot be seen in the MRI scan. There are a few side effects like tiredness, hair loss and memory problems.

 

Radiation Therapy is suitable or not

The best Oncologist, Radiation Therapists and Neurosurgeons , decide if radiation therapy is right or not for a patient. This is done because patients with brain cancer, a number of factors need to be seen, like the type of tumour, symptoms, the number of lesions and main aim is to give a better life to the patient.

Side Effects: Though there are a few side effects such as, it can also destroy normal cells in the area. It may be unpleasant but there are treatments even for these side effects, which are temporary and can disappear on completion of the therapy. Radiation Oncologists, prefer to see the patient once a week while the treatment is in process, so that to manage the side effects a strategy can be planned. Side effects differs from patient to patient, fatigue, hair loss, skin irritation, hearing becomes less, short-term memory loss, headache .When a patient experiences these side effects, he should immediately inform the treating doctor, who helps to take care of it. These side effects occur during treatment, but some take months to occur after the treatment. There is a chance of a second cancer developing near the area where radiation was given. Rarely due to radiation therapy, a healthy brain tissue can be damaged .But still this risk has to be taken to administer radiation therapy.

Duration of radiation treatment for brain cancer:

To plan the treatment for radiation therapy, it will take an hour. The next treatment lasts a few minutes and after that each session for 30 to 45 minutes.

Radiation therapy to the brain:

Radiation for brain cancer is done with the help of a machine, in which beams of radiation is focused at the tumour directly. This destroys the cancer cells and the patient cannot see or feel the radiation. Once the cancer cells are damaged through radiation, they cannot be reproduced again. Though normal cells are also affected, they can repair themselves. The treating doctor decides whether to administer partial or full brain radiation, this depends on the treatment plan.

Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy:

Before Chemotherapy sometimes doctors advise radiation therapy, as the first cancer treatment. Radiation therapy works differently from chemotherapy. Radiation targets only the cancerous cells whereas chemotherapy sends the drugs to the whole body. Since radiation is given to the affected area side effects are fewer than chemotherapy.

DIET: brain tumours and radiation therapy

Generally, a ketogenic diet is recommended—a high fat, low carbohydrate, controlled protein diet.  This diet is more effective when radiation therapy is given. It stops the growth of the tumor and reduces inflammation and edema around the tumor.

  • 5 to 6 small meals can be taken in a day.
  • Drink fluids( clear soups, juices, ginger water ) 30-60 minutes before or after eating.
  • Dry foods— toast, cereal, crackers.
  • Cottage cheese, fruit and yogurt. Whole grains , breads, oatmeal.

Try to avoid sweets, spicy, fatty, greasy or fried foods. Rinse your mouth with soda and water before and after eating. A good oral hygiene must be maintained. Limit alcohol consumption and smoking. Decrease red meat and increase poultry and fish.

Novel treatments to treat brain cancer through Radio therapy:

Many are aware that cancer is caused by abnormal growth of cells in the body that  can also spread to the brain. But still awareness that radiation therapy can treat the cancer is unknown to many. Radiation therapy can destroy the cancer cells and stop the spread of its growth, should be emphasized among people, through seminars, media and campaign programmes in schools, colleges and residential areas.

The human brain is a central part of our nervous system, and interacts with various cells in our body.  Doctors also prefer to treat brain tumors by radiation therapy as its effective in treating faster. People who are undergoing  radiation therapies are living longer than before, this awareness has to brought to the forefront at the earliest. Now people should understand the benefits of radiation therapy to treat brain cancer. Magazines and journals can also be read about radiation therapy for better treatment, prevention, and cures for a better life.

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DO WE HAVE CANCER CELLS?

by AwarenessBlog

Cancer cells are cells the divide in the body without any specified reason, forming tumors and filling the blood with abnormal cells. A parent cell divides and form two daughter cells, and they build new tissue to replace the old or damaged cells. Cancer cells continue to produce more cells and spread to other parts of the body. This process is known as metastasis.

It is surprising to know that we all do not have cancer cells in our bodies. But our bodies continuously produce new cells some of these new cells have the capability to turn into cancerous. A healthy cell grows, divides and dies, when it is aged or damaged, whereas a cancer cell does not follow this procedure. Instead the cancer cells reproduce more abnormal cells and invades the nearby tissue.

Difference between normal cells and abnormal cells:

Normal cells are obedient and follow instructions, whereas cancer cells do not.

  • Normal cells grow and divide only when they need to replace old and damaged cells, once their function that they need to perform is complete they die. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells may grow or may not and do not die when they should. Cancer cells do not follow a regular pattern.
  •  Cancer cells gather to form tumours and spread to the surrounding tissues. Sometimes they also break and spread to the other parts of the body.
  • Cancer cells corrupt normal cells to grow new blood vessels so they can supply nutrients to cancerous tumours.
  • The specific characteristics that cancer cells have is termed as, “Hallmarks of Cancer.”
  • Normal cells are in many shapes and sizes and maintain uniformity. Whereas cancer cells are of different shapes and sizes and are a collection of cells.

What causes cancer cells?

Cancer is a dreadful disease and when it spreads can cause death, if it is not treated properly. It is stated that life is order and death is disorder. So living an healthy life is a miracle and blessing, whereas aging, diseased (cancer) and death is certain. When respiration takes place, energy is derived from the food that is taken and this produces 2% reactive oxygen radicals. These free radicals may attack or damage important molecules and structures in the body, causing disease and ultimately death. These free radicals can attack the DNA and change the normal cell into cancerous cells. This clearly states that the food we eat, proper nutritious food and antioxidants is not there in the food we eat can be a major cause for cancer.

TYPES OF CANCER

Cancer is a very dangerous disease, whether it is a developed or a developing country. It is said more than six million people in the world are affected in the world. There are a number of cancers, to mention a few—uterus, blood, breast, thyroid, skin, lungs, colon, prostate and so on. The five main cancers are—sarcoma, leukemia, carcinoma, myeloma and lymphoma.

CARCINOMA

This is the most common type of cancer. It begins in the tissue of the skin, or the internal organs of the liver or kidneys and can spread to the other parts of the body or stay in the place it was affected first. This may not be a life-threatening disease but can cause complications. It is generally treated by cutting out the cancerous tissue, or layer by layer of the cancer is removed, until no abnormal cells remain or it is also treated through radiation therapy. It can be cured if diagnosed early.

SARCOMA

It is a lump or a swelling in soft tissue of the body. Sarcoma is a painless lump under the skin, usually on the leg or arm. Sarcomas that start in the abdomen, do not show any signs until it grows very big. Generally a biopsy is done to identify a sarcoma. Once it is diagnosed, tests are done to find out if it has spread to the other parts of the body, — a complete blood count is taken, CT scan, MRI, Chest X-ray PET scan. The results of these tests are seen to find out the stage and then treatment starts. Treatments are—Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy and Targeted therapy.

LEUKEMIA

This is the most common disease among children, adults aged 20, 55, to 66.It affects the blood forming tissues of the spleen, bone marrow and the lymph nodes. The symptoms are also many like headaches, fever, excessive bleeding (nose), weight loss and so on. Sometimes spots may develop on the skin, in colours of purple, red, or brown rashes. These spots can also be seen on the arms, legs, stomach, buttocks, inside of the mouth or the eyelids.

MYELOMA

It is also called as plasma cell myeloma, as it is a disease of the blood. A thorough examination is taken, 24 hour urine sample, a bone marrow biopsy and skeletal radiography is done. In most cases it is not curable, but the right treatment can slow its spread and sometimes the symptoms can disappear. If the disease continues ,it destroys the bone, anemia is caused and kidney failure.

LYMPHOMA

Many mistake lymphoma to be leukemia, but both are different. Lymphoma, starts in infection-fighting lymphocytes (white blood cell), whereas leukemia starts in blood-forming cells inside the bone-marrow. Lymphoma, spreads to the live, bone-marrow or the lungs. Like any other cancer it is curable and in later stages. This disease is mainly seen in children and young adults, the age group of 15-24 years. Symptoms can be common cold, swelling in the neck, groin, abdomen or armpits. Treatment—Biologic therapy –drug treatment; Antibody therapy—synthetic antibodies are inserted into the bloodstream; Chemotherapy—drug to kill cancer cells; Radiation therapy; Stem cell transplantation; Steroids; Surgery.

Seven steps to prevent Cancer

  • Stop smoking or chewing of tobacco.
  • The skin should be protected from extreme heat (sun).
  • Eating a healthy and balanced diet.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Necessary vaccines to be taken, like HPV, Hepatitis.
  • Safe sex to be practised.