What is Cancer?
- Cancer is overgrowth of body cells in a disorderly manner which is functionless and injurious to health.
- Cancer is not a contagious disease and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
Lifestyle and Cancer
- Oral cancer – pan masala, tobacco, gutkha
- Liver cancer – alcohol
- Colon cancer – spicy food, fatty & high-calorie food, non-vegetarian food
Occupational Cancer
- Lungs, nasopharynx – sawdust, asbestos
- Skin, kidney, testis, urinary bladder – paint industries, tar
Hereditary Cancer
Danger Signals of Cancer
- Non-healing ulcer
- Persistent cough > 4–5 weeks
- Hoarseness of voice
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Weight loss
- Anemia (low hemoglobin)
- Thickening or lump in the breast or anywhere in body
- Altered bowel habits (constipation / diarrhea)
- Unusual bleeding or discharge for a long time
- Obvious change in a mole or wart
Most Common Cancers
In Males
- Oral cancer
- Larynx (voice box)
- Esophagus (food pipe)
- Lungs
Common Treatments for Cancer
1. Surgery
- Surgery is the primary and necessary treatment for most cancers.
- Generally performed to remove the tumor.
- For invasive cancer, lymph nodes are also removed and evaluated.
- The type of surgery depends on the tumor's size, location, and stage.
2. Chemotherapy
- Use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
- May be given before surgery to shrink a large tumor, or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
- A combination of medications is often used (tablets or injections).
- Patients often fear chemotherapy due to its side effects, but it is a treatment that eradicates cancer cells and prevents recurrence.
- Side effects: vomiting, loose motion, weight loss, hair loss, fever, low hemoglobin, low R.B.C. and low W.B.C.
- Due to advancements in treatment, side effects are now much milder. Patients recover quickly after completing treatment and resume daily routine.
3. Radiation Therapy
- Can be given before or after surgery, and sometimes without surgery.
- Uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Given in two ways:
- External-beam: from outside the body.
- Internal-beam: uses implants placed inside the body.
- Side effects: fatigue, swelling, and skin changes (burns, darkening).
- Modern high-tech radiation machines have significantly reduced side effects.
4. Hormone Therapy
- Used to lower the risk of recurrent cancer.
- Administered via medicines (tablets or injection).
- Commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer.
How to Prevent Cancer
Make a Habit To
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables daily.
- Eat fiber-rich food, poultry, and dairy products.
- Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water daily.
Quit the Habit Of
- Eating processed red meat.
- Sugar-rich desserts, excessive dairy, and fried foods.
- Eating preservatives.
- Non-vegetarian food.
- Smoking.
- Alcohol.
- Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle.
Facts about Cancer
- In India, there are 1.5 – 2 million estimated cases of cancer at any point in time.
- Every year, 8 lakh new cases are detected in India.
- Every year, 5.5 lakh cancer patients die in our country.
Why is Early Detection Important?
- Disease detected at an early stage produces better results in treatment, and even cure.
- Advanced disease shows poor results in treatment.
- Advanced-stage disease creates financial and psychological burden on the patient and family.
When You Have a Cancer Patient at Home, or Visit One
- Keep a lively atmosphere.
- No separation of patient's clothes & utensils.
- Do not talk about patients who have died.
- Never give your own opinion about treatment and don't mistrust the medication.
- Avoid showing too much sympathy and don't discuss other patients' illnesses.
Early Detection Saves Lives
If you notice any danger signal mentioned above, please consult an oncologist without delay.
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