Cancer Article:
Cancer is among the world's most deadly diseases. It has a
high fatality rate, and very few victims of cancer live a
normal life again. Most die within months or years of
contracting cancer; and in most cases in a most painful
manner. That is why the very word cancer strikes dread in
every human heart.
Cancer results when rogue cells produced by genetic
mutation multiply in the human body. These cells either
invade nearby tissues, or migrate to other healthy parts
of the body. In either case, the effect is catastrophic.
They destroy healthy cells and vital organs, and give birth
to tumors that can be life-threatening.
There are over a hundred different kinds of cancers that
afflict human beings. These are named after the cells that
cause cancer. The cancer that originates in epithelial
cells like the digestive tract or glands is called
carcinoma; the cancer that is caused by rogue cells in
blood or bone marrow is called leukemia or lymphoma;
and the cancer that arises in connective tissues, bone or
muscle is called sarcoma.
One of the most common causes of cancer is smoking. It
accounts for nearly 30 per cent of cancer deaths in the US.
Another 30 percent of cancer deaths in North America result
from unbalanced or improper diet, especially from eating
saturated fats obtained from red meat.
Ultraviolet radiation is another cause of cancer. It is
caused by excessive exposure to sun's rays and accounts
for almost 2 per cent of cancer deaths in the US. Cancer
is also caused by some viruses that can trigger mutations.
The key to cancer cure is early detection. Doctors insist
that patients who suffer from unusual lumps or swelling,
hemorrhage or ulceration must get themselves checked for
cancer. Enlarged lymph nodes, bone pain, weight loss,
falling appetite, excessive sweating at night are other
symptoms that need to be screened for cancer.
Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are also caused by
other physiological problems. That is why cancer is
detected late in a majority of cases. There are, of course,
a lucky few who are diagnosed early and can hope to be
fully cured.
Biopsy is the only way to establish that a patient is
suffering from cancer. It involves removing rogue cells,
and submitting them to pathological inspection. Some of
the biopsies, like that for skin cancer, can be performed
without much pain; but some biopsies like that for bone or
liver cancer have to be carried out under anesthesia.
There are four common ways to treat cancer. These are:
surgery, radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery
is normally carried out when the tumor is localized. The
object is to remove the entire mass of rogue cells so that
they do not spread any further. Even one rogue cell left in
the body can lead to a recurrence of cancer. Surgery is
generally advocated for breast or prostate cancer,
especially if they are detected reasonably early.
Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancerous cells by giving
anti-cancer drugs. These drugs can stop rogue cells from
multiplying, but they also prevent normal cells from
regenerating. Immunotherapy is used when doctors feel that
they can galvanize the patient's immune system again to
check the spread of cancer.
Radiotherapy is another way to destroy cancer cells.
However, the radiation that destroys cancer cells also
destroys healthy cells around the tumor. That is why it
needs to be given in small doses, and by trained staff.
The researchers are yet to develop a drug that can fully
cure cancer. Till this happens, cancer will remain one of
the most dreaded diseases known to mankind.
