World Cancer Day 2014 The National February 2014 P.35
Cancer is a disease that occurs when changes in a group of
normal cells in the body lead to uncontrolled growth causing a lump or tumour.
IF left untreated, tumours can grow and spread into the normal surrounding
tissue via the blood or lymphatic systems.
Benign tumours are not cancerous and rarely
threaten life. They tend to grow quite slowly and only cause problems on
becoming too large and pressing on other organs.
Malignant tumours are faster growing, spreading and
destroying neighbouring tissue. Cells can break off from the primary tumour and
continue to divide and grow. The secondary sites are known as metastases
cancer.
Carcinoma arises in epithelial cells and
invades surrounding tissues and organs. The most common forms are breast,
prostate, lung and colon cancers.
Sarcoma is a type of malignant tumour of the
bone or soft tissue such as muscle, blood vessels, nerves and other connective
tissues.
lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system
which runs through the body and can occur anywhere. The most common are the
non-Hodgkins which begins with uncontrolled growth of white blood cells and
Hodgkins in which the cells of the lymph nodes are cancerous.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells
and bone marrow.
There are about 200
known types of cancer. As with most illnesses, cancer is multifactoral.
Cancer causing
substances: Genes are coded messages inside a cell which
tell it how to behave. Mutation or changes to genes can alter how the cell
behaves. Something that damages a cell is known as a carcinogen.
Age: Many types of cancer become more
prevalent with age. The longer people live, the more exposure to carcinogens
and more time for mutations.
Genetics: Some people are born with a
genetically inherited high risk. This makes cancer more likely.
Bodyweight, diet and
physical activity:
Maintaining healthy bodyweight, making changes to diet and regular exercise
could prevent one in three deaths from cancer. Many people eat too much red
meat and not enough fresh fruit and vegetables.
Overweight or obese. Obese means more than 25%
overweight. Such people have an increased risk of bowel or pancreatic cancer
probably because of higher insulin levels. Obesity can increase the risk of
cancer of the food pipe, kidney, gall bladder cancer and breast and womb cancer.
Alcohol and
cigarettes:
There is strong evidence that all types of alcoholic drinks cause a number of
cancers. The more a person smokes, the younger they start and the longer they
keep smoking, all increase the risk of cancer.
Radiation: Man-made sources of radiation can
cause cancer. The main risk is from unprotected and prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet radiation from the sun which can cause melanomas and skin
malignancies.
Work place hazards: Some people are at risk from
substances from the work they do. Asbestos is a well known work place cause of
cancer which affects the covering of the lungs.
Infection: A proportion of cancers can be
caused by infection with a virus. Examples include cervical cancer linked to
Human Papilloma Virus, primary liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B and c viruses
and lymphomas linked to the Epstein-Barr virus.
There are many
different symptoms for the many types of cancers. There are some key signs and
symptoms.
Lumps: Some cancers can be felt through
the skin. Cancerous lumps are often painless and may increase in size.
Coughing and
breathlessness:
Persistent coughing can be associated with lung cancer.
Changes in bowel
habits: There
may be blood in the stools and changes in bowel habits such as constipation and
diarrhoea.
Bleeding: Possible symptoms may be from the
anal passage as a symptom of bowel cancer and blood in the urine.
Unexplained weight
loss: Large
weight loss over a couple of months may be the sign of cancer.
Fatigue: Extreme fatigue and tiredness may
be a symptom, usually linked with other symptoms.