Cancer is the name given to a set of more than 100 diseases that have in common the disordered growth of cells that invade tissues and organs, being able to spread to other regions of the body. Healthy cells multiply when necessary and die when the body no longer needs them. Cancer occurs when the cells increase in the body is out of control, and divide very quickly. It can also happen when the cell "forgets" to die.
Dividing rapidly, these cells tend to be very aggressive and uncontrollable, determining the formation of tumors (accumulation of cancer cells) or malignant neoplasms. On the other hand, a benign tumor simply means a localized mass of cells that multiply slowly and resemble their original tissue, rarely constituting a risk of death.
There are several types of cancer. Cancer can develop in any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bone, or neural tissues. The different types of cancer correspond to the different types of cells in the body. For example, there are several types of skin cancer because the skin is made up of more than one type of cell.
Other characteristics that differentiate the different types from cancer to each other are the speed of multiplication of the cells and the capacity to invade neighboring or distant tissues and organs (metastasis).
Causes
Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) within cells. The DNA inside a cell contains a set of instructions that tell the cell how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can allow a cell to become cancerous. The mutation of the gene can instruct a healthy cell to:
Allow rapid growth: the gene mutation can tell a cell to grow and divide more quickly. This creates many new cells with the same mutation
Prevent cell growth from stopping: normal cells know when you stop growing, so you only have the correct number of each type of cell. Cancer cells may lose control when they stop growing
Make mistakes when repairing DNA errors: repair genes look for errors in the DNA of a cell and make corrections. A mutation in that repair gene may mean that other errors will not be corrected, leading to the cells becoming cancerous.
These mutations are the most commonly found in cancer. But many other genetic mutations can contribute. Genetic mutations can occur for several reasons, for example:
Congenital: you can be born with a genetic mutation that you inherited from your parents. This type of mutation is responsible for a small percentage of cancer
Genetic mutations that occur after birth: most genetic mutations occur after you were born and are not inherited. A number of factors can cause genetic mutations, such as smoking, radiation, exposure to viruses, which cause cancer of chemicals (carcinogenic substances), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and lack of exercise.
The genetic mutations with which we are born and those that you acquire throughout your life can work together to cause cancer. For example, if you inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes to cancer, that does not mean you will have cancer with certainty. Instead, you may need one or more genetic mutations that cause cancer. Its hereditary genetic mutation makes it more vulnerable to cancer than other people when exposed to a certain risk factor.
It is not clear how many mutations must accumulate for cancer to form. It is likely to vary between cancers.
Risk factor's
Age
Cancer can take decades to develop. That's why most people are diagnosed with cancer at 65 or older. Although it is more common in older adults, cancer is not a disease exclusively of that age group - it can be diagnosed at any age.
Your habits
Some lifestyle choices are known to increase the risk of cancer. Smoking, drinking more than one drink per day (for women of all ages and people over 65) or two drinks a day (for men under 65), excessive sun exposure or frequent burns, obesity and Unprotected sex can contribute to cancer.
You can change these habits to reduce the risk of cancer - although some habits are easier to change than others.
Family history
Only a small part of cancers occurs due to a hereditary condition. If cancer is common in your family, it is possible that the mutations are being passed from one generation to the next. You may be a candidate for genetic testing to see if you have mutations that may increase the risk of certain hereditary cancers. Keep in mind that having an inherited genetic mutation does not necessarily mean that you are going to have cancer.
Healthy conditions
Some chronic health problems, such as ulcerative colitis, can significantly increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your risk. Other diseases such as HPV and hepatitis B can also increase this risk.
Environmental factors
The environment around you may contain harmful chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer. Even if you do not smoke, you can inhale passive smoke from people who are smoking. Chemicals in your home or workplace, such as asbestos and benzene, are also associated with an increased risk of cancer. Excessive contamination is also linked to increased chances of cancer.
Cancer Symptoms
Signs and symptoms caused by cancer vary depending on what part of the body is affected. Some general signs and symptoms, which are not specific to cancer and must be crossed with other risk factors, include:
- Fatigue
- Protuberance or thickening area that can be felt under the skin.
- Changes in weight, including unintentional loss or gain.
- Alterations of the skin, such as yellowing, darkening or reddening of the skin, wounds that do not heal or soft alterations.
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
- Persistent cough
- Difficulty to swallow.
- Hoarseness
- Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating.
- Muscle or joint pain persistent and without apparent cause.
- Persistent fever or night sweats without apparent cause.
When you see a doctor
Ask your doctor if you have persistent signs or symptoms without apparent cause. If you do not have signs or symptoms, but are concerned about cancer risk, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Ask about what screening and cancer screening procedures are right for you
In medical consultation
Start by seeing a general practitioner if you have any signs or symptoms that you worry about. If your doctor suspects cancer, he will probably be referred to one or more specialists, such as:
- Oncologists
- Radiotherapists
- Hematologists
- Surgeons.
Since the consultations are usually very short, it is good to be prepared. Here are some information that can help the doctor to make the diagnosis:
Write down any symptoms you are facing, including those that may seem unrelated to the reason you have scheduled the commitment.
Write down important personal information, including any important stress or recent life changes.
Write down your family history about cancer. If other members of your family have been diagnosed with cancer, take note of the types, how close they are to you, and how many years each person has been diagnosed.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking.
Consider taking a family member or friend together, as it can sometimes be difficult to remember all the information provided during a consultation. The companion can remember something that you lost or forgot.
What to expect from the doctor?
The doctor will probably ask a series of questions. Being ready to answer them can speed up the consultation and allow time for you to take your doubts. Your doctor can ask:
When did you begin to feel the symptoms?
Are your symptoms continuous or occasional?
How severe are the symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to make the symptoms worse?
Does anyone in your family have cancer?
Have you ever had cancer before? If so, what type and how was the treatment?
Have you been exposed to chemicals at home or at work?
You smoke?
Have you been diagnosed with a hepatitis infection or an HPV infection?
Cancer Diagnosis
As well as the symptoms, exams to diagnose cancer vary depending on the type and location of the tumor. The most common tests include:
- Tumor biopsy
- Blood tests (looking for chemicals as tumor markers)
- Bone marrow biopsy (for lymphoma or leukemia)
- Thoracic radiography
- Complete blood count
- Computerized tomography
- Magnetic resonance.
Most cancers are diagnosed by biopsy. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy can be a simple procedure or a complex surgery. Most cancer patients undergo computed tomography to determine the exact location and size of the tumor (s).
Receiving the diagnosis
It is difficult to face the diagnosis of cancer. However, it will be important to discuss the type, size and location of the cancer with your doctor when diagnosed. It is also advisable to discuss treatment options, along with the benefits and risks.
It is a good idea for someone to accompany you in the office to help you overcome the diagnosis. If you can not ask questions after hearing the diagnosis, the companion can do it for you
Cancer Treatment
Many cancer treatments are available. Your treatment options will depend on several factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer, your general health and your preferences. Together, you and your doctor can measure the risks and benefits of each cancer treatment to determine what is best for you. Cancer treatment has different objectives:
Cure: in this case, the goal of treatment is to achieve a cure for cancer, allowing the patient to have a normal life. This may or may not be possible, depending on the specific situation of the patient
Primary treatment: the goal of a primary treatment is to completely eliminate the cancer from your body or kill the cancer cells. Any cancer treatment - such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy - can be used as a primary treatment for cancer, but the most common is surgery. If the cancer you have responds well to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you can receive one of those therapies as your primary treatment
Adjuvant treatment: The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill all cancer cells that may remain after primary treatment, in order to reduce the likelihood that the cancer will return. Any cancer treatment can be used as adjuvant therapy. Common adjuvant therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy
Palliative treatment: they can help to alleviate the collateral effects of the treatment or signs and symptoms caused by the cancer itself. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy can be used to relieve signs and symptoms. Some medications may be prescribed to relieve symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath. Palliative treatment can be used just with other treatments aimed at curing cancer.
Doctors have many tools when it comes to cancer treatment. The options include:
Surgery
The objective of the surgery is to remove the tumor plus a margin of tissue that looks healthy, since it can already contain malignant cells. If the tumor is very large, surgery can reduce much of the tumor, and the patient then receives other treatments, such as radio or chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy
Therapy that uses ionizing radiation in the place of the tumor. It is widely used for tumors that have not yet spread and do not metastasize. Radiation can also be used in cases where the cancer can not be completely removed with surgery, or when you want to reduce the risk of cancer to grow again after the procedure.
Chemotherapy
The treatment uses oral or intravenous medications, with the aim of destroying, controlling or inhibiting the growth of diseased cells. Chemotherapy can be given before or after surgery, and the period of treatment varies depending on the cancer and the patient.
Hormonal Therapy
It aims to prevent the action of the hormones that cause cancer cells to grow. Hormone therapy, therefore, can only be used in patients who have at least one hormone receptor for cancer. This therapy is usually done orally, and drugs act by blocking or suppressing the effects of the hormone on the affected organ.
Target Therapy (immunotherapy)
Immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer is, in a very simple way, a way to combat the problem using the body's own defense system to attack cancer cells. It only works for some types of cancer, but it has softer side effects than the other therapies.
Does cancer have a cure?
The results of the treatment depend on the type of cancer and the patient. Some cancers can be cured. Others may be incurable, but may go through a good treatment. Some patients can live many years with cancer. Other tumors are fast and fatal.
Possible Complications
Cancer and its treatment can cause several complications, including:
Pain: the pain may be caused by cancer or by treatment for cancer, although not all are painful. Medications and other approaches can effectively treat pain related to cancer.
Fatigue: Fatigue in people with cancer has many causes, but it can often be managed. Fatigue associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy is common, but is usually temporary.
Difficulty breathing: a cancer or cancer treatment can cause a feeling of shortness of breath. Additional medications or treatments can bring relief.
Nausea: Certain types of cancer and their treatments can cause nausea. Your doctor can sometimes predict if your treatment can cause nausea. Medications and other treatments can help prevent or treat nausea.
Diarrhea or constipation: Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your bowels and cause diarrhea or constipation.
Weight loss: Cancer or cancer treatment can cause weight loss.
Chemical changes in your body: cancer can disrupt the normal chemical balance in your body and increase the risk of serious complications. Signs and symptoms of chemical imbalances can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation and confusion.
Brain and nervous system problems: cancer can press on nearby nerves and cause pain and loss of function of a part of your body. A cancer that involves the brain can cause headaches and symptoms such as weakness on one side of your body.
Metastasis: with the advancement of cancer, it can spread to other parts of the body. For the cancer to spread depends on the type of cancer.
Recurrence: cancer survivors have a risk of tumor recurrence. Some types of cancer are more likely to repeat than others. Ask your doctor about what you can do to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. The doctor can develop a follow-up care plan for you after treatment. This plan may include periodic exams in the next months or years after your treatment.
Prevention
Within some preventions:
Stay Attentive to Your Health
We know that our body signals when something is not right. This also applies to cancer cases. It is important that attention be paid to the body, because only in this way is it possible to notice the presence of a strange bone, a tide, a spot on the skin or another sign. At the signal of something out of the ordinary, a doctor is wanted.
Take an Annual Check
It is important to perform all the early diagnosis tests indicated by your doctor. There are a series of tests that are essential when detecting the different types of cancer. Among them mammography, which should be done from 50 years to detect breast cancer or collection of PSA - blood test that can detect prostate cancer.
Practice Physical Activities
The practice of physical activities promotes a general good to the organism and also protects against cancer. This is due to the ability, especially of aerobic exercises, to decrease the circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in our body.