What Is Cancer ?

 WEEKEND HEALTH 

with Fortunate Masikati 

Bindura City Corps 

Bindura Division 

What is cancer?

Cancer is a large group of diseases with one thing in common: They happen when normal cells become cancerous cells that multiply and spread. 

Your genes send instructions to your cells — like when to start and stop growing, for example. Normal cells follow these instructions, but cancer cells ignore them.

Types of cancer

There are over 100 types of cancer. Healthcare providers categorize them according to where they start in your body and the type of tissue they affect.

There are three broad cancer classifications:

Solid cancers: This is the most common type of cancer, making up about 80% to 90% of all cases. This includes carcinoma that forms in epithelial tissue (like your skin, breast, colon, and lungs) and sarcoma that forms in bone and connective tissues.

Blood cancers : These are cancers that start in your blood cells or lymphatic system. Examples include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Mixed : Cancers that involve two classifications or subtypes. Examples include carcinosarcoma and adenosquamous carcinoma.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of cancer?

Symptoms of cancer vary from person to person. They depend on what type of cancer you have and how advanced it is.

General cancer symptoms may include:*l

Fatigue.

Fever that occurs mostly at night.

Loss of appetite.

Night sweats.

Persistent pain.

Skin changes, particularly moles that change shape and size or new moles.

Unexplained weight loss.

In some cases, cancer may cause additional organ-specific symptoms. These may include:

Blood in your pee or in your stool.

Changes in the shape, color, or size of a skin mole.

Coughing up blood.

New lumps or bumps.

This isn’t an exhaustive list. Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer.

Cancer is a complicated disease. Different types cause different symptoms. It’s also possible to have cancer for years without knowing it. Other times, it can cause obvious symptoms that get worse very quickly.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is a genetic disorder. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inherited. It happens when genes that manage cell activity mutate (change). They create abnormal cells that divide and multiply, eventually disrupting how your body works.

These cells create cancer clusters or tumors. Cancerous cells may break away from tumors and travel to other areas of your body through your lymphatic system or bloodstream. (Healthcare providers call this metastasis.)

Risk factors

There isn’t one single cause for cancer. Rather, certain things can increase your chance of developing it, like:

Family history : If you have close biological family members (parents, siblings, grandparents) who have cancer, you have a higher risk of developing it.

Smoking : Smoking tobacco or using e-cigarettes increases your chance of developing lung, esophageal, pancreatic, and oral cancer.

Environmental factors : Exposure to toxins in your environment, like asbestos, pesticides, and radon, can eventually lead to cancer.

Malnutrition : High-fat or high-sugar foods can increase your risk for many types of cancer. You’re also more vulnerable to disease if you don’t get enough physical activity.

Hormone therapy: Women taking hormone replacement therapy may have an increased risk for breast cancer and uterine cancer.

Radiation exposure : Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Over-exposure to radiation therapy can also be a risk factor.

How is cancer diagnosed?

Healthcare providers begin a cancer diagnosis by doing a complete physical examination. They’ll ask you to describe your symptoms and your family medical history. They may also need to do:

Blood tests for cancer, which may include complete blood count (CBC), blood protein tests, and tumor marker tests.

Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, or iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIGB).

Biopsies, which could be surgical (with an incision) or nonsurgical (with a needle).

Genetic testing for cancer to diagnose and plan treatment for inherited forms of cancer.

How is the cancer stage determined?

Healthcare providers use cancer staging systems to plan treatment and develop a prognosis or expected outcome.

Most cancers have four stages. The specific stage is determined by a few different factors, including the tumor’s size and location.

Stages I-III (1-3) (early-stage or locally advanced) usually describe cancer that has grown directly into surrounding tissue or has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV (4) (or metastatic cancer) means that cancer cells have spread to distant areas of your body through your bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Management and Treatment

How is cancer treated?

Healthcare providers may use several different treatments, sometimes combining treatments based on your situation.

 Common cancer treatments include:

 Surgery:

 Can remove cancerous tumors that haven’t spread.

Chemotherapy: Destroys cancer cells with powerful drugs in pill form or intravenously (through a needle into a vein).

Radiation therapy: Kills cancer cells with high dosages of radiation.

Immunotherapy: Engages your immune system to fight the disease.

Targeted therapy: Targets the genetic mutations (changes) that turn healthy cells into cancer cells.

Hormone therapy: Blocks cancer-causing hormones. For example, people who have prostate cancer might receive hormones to lower testosterone, which can contribute to prostate cancer.

Bone marrow transplant: Replaces damaged blood stem cells with healthy ones.

 Prevention

Can cancer be prevented?

You can’t always prevent cancer, especially when unavoidable risk factors cause it. But there are things you can do to lower your risk:

If you smoke or use tobacco, try to stop. Ask a healthcare provider about smoking cessation programs that can help you quit tobacco.

Follow a nutrition plan that’s healthy for you.

Include physical activity in your daily routine.

Avoid environmental toxins like asbestos and pesticides.

Protect yourself against sun damage.

Have regular cancer screenings.

How do you take care of yourself?

Self-care is an important part of living with cancer, and it looks different for everyone. Giving yourself some TLC when you need it can reduce stress and enrich your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The following are some self-care ideas:

Explore art or music therapy.

Find a support group so you can talk with others who are having similar experiences.

Get a massage (but get the “OK” from your healthcare provider first).

Meet with a nutritionist to develop a personalized plan.

Practice yoga, meditation, or other forms of mindfulness.

Read a cherished book or watch a favorite movie.

Rest whenever you need to, not just when you can.

Set your own “visiting hours” so you can spend time with your loved ones and still protect your downtime.

Talk with a therapist or counselor about the emotional impact of your illness.

Write your thoughts in a journal.

Some of these things might not be your cup of tea, and that’s OK. The bottom line: Do things that bring you joy and satisfaction. Find meaningful ways to spend your time.

When to see a healthcare provider?

Tell your healthcare provider about any issues you have while you’re undergoing cancer treatment, including any treatment side effects. 

In many cases, your oncologist can find ways to make you more comfortable. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re not feeling well. #SeasonOfPrayerAndCommitment  - Salvationist online