Some Facts About Cancer

By Bruno Lopes

Breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death occuring mostly in women whereas prostrate cancer is the cancer affecting most of the male population. Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells grow and divide without respect to normal limits, invade and destroy adjacent tissues and/or metastatize(spread to other locations in the body). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors [unharmful], Although benign tumor types are capable of becoming malignant.

Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells. These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Aflatoxin B1, which is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus growing on stored grains, nuts and peanut butter, is an example of a potent, naturally-occurring microbial carcinogen. Certain viruses such as Hepatitis B and human papilloma viruses (HPV), Epstein Barr virus have been found to cause cancer in humans. The first one shown to cause cancer in animals was Rous sarcoma virus, discovered in 1910 by Peyton Rous.

Benzene, kepone, ethylene dibromide, asbestos, and the waste rock of oil shale mining have all been classified as carcinogenic. Vinyl chloride, from which PVC is manufactured, is a carcinogen and thus a hazard in PVC production.

Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may be randomly acquired through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are often activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are often inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.

The age of peak incidence of cancer in children occurs during the first year of life. Leukemia is the most common infant malignancy, followed by the central nervous system cancers and neuroblastoma. The remainder consists of Wilms' tumor, lymphomas, rhabdomyosarcoma (arising from muscle), retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Teratoma is the most common tumor in this age group, but most teratomas are surgically removed while still benign.

Some of the symptoms seen in cancer are as follows:

Anorexia: lack or loss of appetite

Cognitive dysfunction: difficulty with thinking ability, including memory loss, distractibility, difficulty in performing multiple tasks (multitasking), and trouble with arithmetic and language skills.

Dyspnea: defined, as a sensation of uncomfortable awareness of breathing, is one of the most frightening and distressing symptoms as well as one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients with cancer.

Fatigue: Fatigue is often reported as the most common symptom that individuals with cancer experience.

Hormonal disturbances: Changes in hormone levels are a common effect of cancer treatment for many men and women. These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The result of these changes can be one or more symptoms, from hot flashes, bone weakening, mood, sleep and skin changes (for men and women), to changes in the vagina and urination (for women).

Neutropenia: Neutropenia is an abnormal decrease in neutrophil cells (type of white blood cells that help fight infection) that occurs as a result of certain cancer treatments.

Peripheral neuropathy: described as a burning, tingling, and numbing type of pain in the hands and feet.

Sexual dysfunction: inability to fully enjoy sexual intercourse.

Other symptoms that can be seen include:

A change in bowel habits, Blood in your stool, Nausea and Vomiting.

Unexplained anemia, Bone Complications, Lymphedema

Breast lump or breast discharge, Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, Lumps in the testicles

A change in urination, Blood in the urine

Hoarseness and fever due to the disease affecting their immune system, the cancer itself, or a response to treatment. Fever normally occurs as the cancer progresses.

Persistent lumps or swollen glands

Obvious change in a wart or a mole

Indigestion or difficulty swallowing

Unexpected weight loss, night sweats, or fever

Continued itching in your anus or genitals, Non-healing sores

Headache, Back pain, pelvic pain, bloating, or indigestion

BRUNO LOPES is an MSc-2 student of T.N.Medical College and B.Y.L.Nair Charitable Hospital [MUMBAI UNIVERSITY] and likes to do research on Herbs and fruits and study their medicinal properties. He has graduated in Microbiology and Biochemistry[co-curricular honors in microbiology] from ST.XAVIERS COLLEGE, Mumbai [MUMBAI UNIVERSITY]. Currently he is researching on his dissertation topic, 'Role of Sodium potassium ATPase,Glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in Diabetes mellitus' as a part of MSc-2.

His aim in life is to do something for betterment of mankind which he describes by a simple adage, which is,''Knowledge is education for oneself but wisdom for the sake of others'' His interests are Microbiology, Biochemistry, Oncology, Nutrition, Botany, Immunology, Virology and many more. He has a vast knowledge on scientific names of different plants and microbes of course as he had graduated in Microbiology and Biochemistry.

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