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Cancer: Its Causes And Method of Treatment
Our bodies
are made up of millions of tiny cells that frequently divide and
multiply. Whenever an old cell is worn out or damaged, a new
cell is created to replace it. Each cell contains ‘genes’ that
are formulated from our DNA. The proteins within the gene itself
control when the cell should divide and multiply. If
however, the gene is damaged or altered, the cell becomes
‘abnormal’, and as a consequence, it erratically divides and
multiplies to clump together and form a ‘tumour’.
There are
two types of tumour: benign
and malignant. Benign
tumours are not cancerous and therefore won’t invade or
spread to other parts of the body. However, malignant tumours
can cause serious health problems, as they can grow very
quickly, invade nearby tissues and organs and therefore cause
damage. They may even spread to other parts of the body and
cause secondary tumours (called metastases).
However,
not all cancers will form tumours. Cancers of the blood, like
leukaemia, develop from abnormal blood cells, which then attack
other areas of the body by circulating around the bloodstream.
Cancers that develop in the surface linings of organs are called
‘carcinomas’ (which are more common). Cancers that appear in
the cells of solid tissues such as muscles, bones and blood
vessels are called ‘sarcomas’.
If you’re
diagnosed with cancer, the doctors will need to determine what
type you have, and then decide whether it has already started to
spread. Common symptoms may include unexplained lumps and
swellings, tiredness, weight loss, poor appetite, night sweats,
fever and also constant digestive and/or bowel
disturbances.
Whatever
the outcome, DON’T PANIC! This reaction is completely
understandable, however it will only cause further stress
on the body. DON’T GIVE UP and ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP POSITIVE! Early
diagnosis is so very important - as in most cases, it
can improve your chances of survival. So, if you do suspect
anything unusual, GET DOWN to your doctor
straight away.
Cancer can
have many causes and sometimes there is no clear reason why a
cancer will develop. Certain cancers, like breast cancer, may
even be hereditary. However, most cancers tend to be caused by
a combination of factors that are known to damage cells (free
radical damage), and so weaken the immune system, therefore
increasing the risk of cancer. These factors include
smoking, excessive prolonged stress, diet, obesity, lack of
exercise, poor lifestyle, excessive consumption of alcohol,
and environmental factors such as prolonged exposure to
strong UV light
from the sun.
Treatment
varies depending on the type of cancer and just how far it may
have spread. There are 3 main types of medical treatment and
these include:
1) Surgical
removal
of solid tumours and possibly the surrounding non-cancerous
tissue and lymph nodes, to try to prevent the cancer returning.
2) Chemotherapy
treatment (drugs to try and kill cancer cells, or stop them
spreading) is given either by mouth, or by injection into a
vein, over a course of over 6 treatments maximum. ‘Chemo’ can
help shrink a tumour to make it easier for the surgeon to remove
it. However, the treatment is harsh on the body and
cannot differentiate between good cells and bad cells. It
therefore wipes out healthy calls too; increasing free radical
damage, considerably weakening the body and exposing it to
further infection. Depending on which drug combination you’ve
been given, there often will be some side affects, such as
sickness, diarrhoea, hair loss and mouth sores, which can
continue for many months or more.
3) Radiotherapy
aims to destroy the cancerous cells with radiation from X-rays,
without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. This treatment
affects people in different ways. Some people have side affects
such as tiredness, lack of appetite and depression, whilst
others have none. In women, radiotherapy to the pelvic area can
often kick-start early menopause or even create difficulties in
conceiving.
The above information should not be treated as a substitute for the
medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care
professional.
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