The word “Cancer” sounds scary. If you know someone who’s diagnosed with cancer, you know the struggle, the vigorous treatment, and the fear of a relapse. An oncologist in Navi Mumbai advises people to be aware of the different types of cancers, their symptoms, and the diagnostic process, so that they know when to seek treatment. In this post, we’ll walk you through the meaning, types, symptoms, and causes of cancer. Read on.
How Cancer Develops
Cancer is not a single disease, but a group of diseases that can occur in any part of the body. Normally, healthy cells in the human body die when they are damaged, so that new cells can replace them. In people with cancer, this normal cell balance is disrupted. The damaged cells, instead of dying, multiply rapidly and form tumors. They can spread through lymph nodes to other parts of the body (also known as metastasis).
Causes of Cancer
A common cause of cancer is changes in your DNA, which give your cells instructions to grow, divide, and die. The changes in the DNA can be inherited or occur due to environmental factors. If one of the parents has gene mutations, they can pass these to their offspring. This increases the child’s risk of developing cancer. Other causes include:
1. Lifestyle Factors: Tobacco consumption and smoking are the major causes of lung, throat, and mouth cancers. Similarly, too much alcohol is linked to breast, liver, and mouth cancers. High intake of sugar, red meat, and processed foods can also increase cancer risk.
2. Environmental Factors: UV rays, too much exposure to radiation through medical imaging, and working with chemicals, such as benzene, are also associated with cancer risk.
3. Infections: Certain viruses and bacteria can cause cancer. Human Papillomavirus, for instance, is linked to a high risk of cervical cancer, especially HPV 16 and 18 variants. Likewise, hepatitis B and C can cause liver cancer, while a stomach infection caused by Helicobacter pylori also carries the cancer risk.
Types of Cancer
People can develop cancer of the breast, lungs, liver, throat, mouth, skin, blood, pancreas, stomach, and reproductive organs. Here are the most common types:
- Breast Cancer: It’s the most common type of cancer in women. Risk factors include obesity, gene mutations, hormonal changes, and late pregnancy. Breast cancer is detected through mammograms and physical checkups.
- Lung Cancer: Tobacco consumption and smoking are the most common causes, although genetic factors are also linked to lung cancer. Second-hand smoke and air pollution are other risk factors.
- Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer is another common type of cancer that can occur in people with a family history of rectum or colon cancer or those living a sedentary lifestyle with poor dietary choices.
- Skin Cancer: Constant exposure to the ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer, both melanoma and non-melanoma.
- Blood Cancer: Blood cancer creates an abnormal amount of white blood cells, which might disrupt the normal function of your blood.
Treatment for most types of cancers at a cancer hospital in Navi Mumbai includes a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. The best treatment plan for you depends on how aggressively the cancer grows, where it started, and your overall health.