Category: Cancer

Cancer cells are abnormal, malignant cells which spread and grow
excessively, destroying healthy cells and tissue. Cancer cells are the
most basic underlying unit of cancer irregardless of the location of
the tissue affected.  However, depending on the location of the cancer
cells and the location of the body affected, the prognosis, treatment
and death rates vary quite widely.

Through the very
process of living, the human body is constantly reproducing new cells
to replace those which are dying off. This process, known as mitosis is
carefully regulated by the body to ensure that cells are not
multiplying at an excessive rate, thus upsetting the body’s natural
homeostasis. Sometimes however, mutations or alterations take place
within a cell causing it to become malignant and multiply as cancer
cells.  The failure to regulate the reproduction of malignant cells is
what allows the cancer to grow and spread at a much faster rate than
the healthy cells.  Because of their ability to exponentially increase,
early detection of cancer cells generally allows for a better prognosis
and increased chance of successful treatment and survival.

Treatment
for patients with cancer is aimed at the successful removal and
elimination of all cancer cells and the rejuvenation of healthy,
functioning cells. In many cases, the cancer cells have clustered to
form a tumor which must first be removed surgically along with any
surrounding tissue which appears to have cancer cells present. Once the
cancer cells are removed, chemotherapy or radiation theory may be used
to kill any last cancer cells which may remain, thus stopping their
reproduction and growth. Although these treatments are often painful
and hard to endure by the patient, it is only through the successful
eradication of cancer cells that remission occurs.  

In
conjunction with other treatments, doctor’s today are taking a more
holistic approach to eradicating cancer cells and restoring a patient’s
health. Some of this includes understanding the link between nutrition
and cancer as well as utilizing a patient’s own immune system to target
cancer cells with antibodies. Hormone therapy is used for specific type
of cancer cells which require the use of hormones to multiply by
blocking the specific hormone thereby stopping the spread of the
cancerous cells.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring non skin cancer and is
the number two killer of American women behind heart disease. These and
other breast cancer statistics can help us understand the prevalence of
breast cancer over time, the mortality rates resulting from breast
cancer and how early detection and treatment affects the overall
prognosis.  Understanding breast cancer statistics enables researchers
to tease out other information in hopes of bringing us a more effective
treatment or perhaps closer to a cure.  By examining the breast cancer
statistics which chart the disease’s prevalence over the course of
several decades we can see that this research is having a positive
effect on survival rates. For example, the National Cancer Institute’s
breast cancer statistics show that although the number of overall cases
has increased, the overall death rate has steadily declined since the
1990’s. What this statistic seems to indicate is that medical advances,
as well as early detection from increased awareness, are having a
positive result in the fight against breast cancer.

More
breast cancer statistics worth examining are those which show higher
overall cases of breast cancer among the white population, but a higher
mortality rate for African Americans suffering from breast cancer.
These particular breast cancer statistics may point to specific genetic
factor adversely affecting African American women with breast cancer or
from a sociological perspective, may highlight a disparity between
medical care received among different racial groups. Again, by
researching the cause behind this statistic, medical advancements could
perhaps be gained or perhaps a closer look at social inequality may be
warranted.

A geographical look at breast cancer statistics
may allow us to pin point certain environmental factors contributing to
high rates of breast cancer. For instance, a manufacturing plant
utilizing a certain chemical may be adversely affecting the local
environment and the residents thereof.   By analyzing breast cancer
statistics from a geographical view, chemical alternatives could be
used or regulations placed on factories to minimize the danger. Breast
cancer statistics are a useful guide in showing the trajectory of this
devastating disease and increasing awareness of potential risk factors
and preventative care.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects women. 
Over the past few decades, leaps and bounds have been made in the
advancement of breast cancer treatment and now there is a very high
success rate of women who have been cured from breast cancer.  The
severity of breast cancer usually depends upon what stage of the
disease that the cancer is found.  There are 4 stages of breast cancer,
some stages having varying levels of severity.

Stage 0 of
breast cancer is used to describe a stage of breast cancer in which
there is not any evidence of the breast cancer cells breaking out
beyond the place of the breast in which the cancer started and has not
invaded any neighboring tissue.

Stage I of breast cancer
can be described as invasive cancer in which the cancer cells have
moved to other parts of the breast.  At this stage the tumor can
measure up to two centimeters but the lymph nodes of the breast have
not yet been affected.

Stage II of breast cancer is when the
tumor is at least 2 centimeters in diameter but no more than five
centimeters.  At this point cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under
the arm.  While the lymph nodes are now affected, they have not yet
stuck together or affected the surrounding tissue.

Stage III
of breast cancer can actually be divided into two stages commonly
referred to Stage IIIA and Stage IIIB.  Stage IIIA is a form of
invasive cancer in which the tumor is over 5 centimeters and there is a
lot of involvement with the lymph nodes which have begun to stick
together and affect the surrounding tissue.  Stage IIIB is differs
slightly and refers to invasive breast cancer in which the breast
cancer tumor has begun to spread to the chest wall, skin, or mammary
lymph nodes.

The final stage of breast cancer is when the invasive
breast cancer has spread beyond the underarm, breast and mammary lymph
nodes and may have spread to other body parts such as the lungs, liver,
bone, or even the brain.

The pink breast cancer ribbon is in much the same vein as the red
Aids awareness ribbon in that it seeks to lend solidarity to those who
are suffering from breast cancer as well as raise awareness of the
prevalence and prevention of this often fatal disease.  However, the
last five to six years has seen a virtual explosion in breast cancer
ribbon merchandise and this obvious increase I believe also indicates a
much larger awareness and number of women committed to eradicating
breast cancer for good.

 According to the National Cancer
Institute, the increase in annual breast cancer rates from the 1940’s
to the 1980’s was approx a 1 percent increase per year. However, the
onset of the 1980’s saw an exponential increase in new cases per year,
leveling off in the 1990’s.  The breast cancer ribbon was a symbol of
the increasing number of breast cancer cases as well as a sign of
support to those women battling breast cancer and those who had lost
their lives. However, I believe that a marked shift in the meaning of
the breast cancer ribbon has occurred over the last several years.

With
ongoing research and new information being constantly uncovered, it is
quite obvious that early detection of breast cancer is the most likely
path to remission and survival.  Therefore, regular screenings and
being mindful of added risk factors such as family history is crucial
to stopping the spread of breast cancer and lessening the resulting
fatalities. Due to this new mindset, the breast cancer ribbon seems to
now apply to the woman’s community as a whole. No longer aimed solely
at women already suffering from breast cancer, it is also a reminder to
all women to perform self examinations, undergo regular mammograms and
be proactive in their overall health care.  And some progress is
evident; since 2003 the medical community has seen a steep decline on
the number of new breast cancer cases.  This decrease can be explained
partly through preventative care and early detection of abnormal cells
made possible through awareness.

The human breast contains milk-producing ducts, and glands that
transport lymph throughout the body. The majority of the breast is
composed of fat tissue, though it is in these milk ducts that breast
cancer usually develops. Breast cancer awareness is a big social issue
in the U.S., and the medical community has come along way in responding
to the public’s need for more advanced diagnosis and treatment options.

Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast
cancer awareness can save the life of you, a friend, or a family
member. Through awareness and research, cancer rates are continually
declining in the U.S. In fact, a woman is more likely to die from
cardiovascular disease that all the other types of cancer combined.
However, it is still important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so
that early treatment can be sought. Many treatments are available, and
there is a high rate of survival if the cancer is detected at a
relatively early stage.

Symptoms, Causes, and Breast Cancer Awareness

Monthly
self-examinations to detect changes or lumps in the breast are highly
recommended, as well as yearly clinical checks by your doctor. Starting
at age 40, your doctor will probably recommend regular mammograms,
which detect the presence of lumps or masses within the breast tissues.

There is no single great risk factor for getting breast
cancer than being a woman. While men can and do get cancer in the
breast glands, women are 100 times more likely to. Breast cancer
awareness campaigns have done an excellent job of educating the
nation’s female population about risk factors, which also include using
birth control pills, smoking, aging, using hormone replacement therapy,
and having a blood relative with a history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Treatments range from lump removal to complete breast removal,
radiation to shrink the cancer or mass, and chemotherapy to kill the
cancerous cells. Breast cancer awareness not only saves lives, but also
helps educate those living with the disease on how to live a fulfilling
and healthy life after detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Brain Cancer has always been dreaded. Previously people saw no
chances of recovery once afflicted by the fatal disease. Even today,
brain cancer is regarded as of the most complicated ailments; however,
modern science has evolved many modern technologies and treatments to
fight the disease.

Types

Two
different forms of brain cancer are usually detected in human beings –
primary and secondary. The primary type initiates in the brain. The
cancer does not move to any other part of the body, and therefore, the
situation is not grave. Nevertheless, if there are uncontrollable tumor
growths within the small skull then it proves fatal.

The
secondary form is also known as Metastatic brain cancer. Here the
cancer originates in some other part of the body but then migrates to
the brain. Since it is an advanced stage of cancer, it can be life
threatening.

Causes And Symptoms

Malignant
brain tumors lead to brain cancers. Some of the common symptoms of the
presence of brain tumors are memory loss, impaired judgment, swelling
of the optic nerve, vision loss, severe behavior changes, impaired
smell sense, frequent vomiting, nausea and severe headaches, etc. Brain
Cancer is dreaded because the symptoms of the disease go unnoticed,
remain dormant until the last stage and this takes the patient towards
oblivious death.

The following reasons have been isolated as being the chief risk factors:

• As
  with all forms of cancer, carcinogens play a prime role in causing
  brain cancer. Be aware that house wares, pipes, car parts and furniture
  have higher concentrations of carcinogens.
• Continuous contact with vinyl chloride has been seen as another prime reason.
• One
  suffering from lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer
  for a long time is in all likelihood going to get affected by the
  secondary brain cancer.

Treatment depends on the
stage of the disease, type and location of the tumor(s). Other factors
such as a patient’s age too play a role in determining the apt
treatment.

What One Should Do?

If
one thinks that he/she is inflicted by the disease then there are a
number of people whose suggestions are indispensable. Radiologist,
neurosurgeons, dietitians, oncologist and physiotherapist are the right
people to consult with.

If the tumor is in the nascent
stage, then one can get rid of it by means of surgery. The modern
technology is more advanced and less scary. It is a knife less
technology and only high-energy radiations are focused from different
angles to kill the tumor. This is also known as the “gama knife
surgery”.

Treatment for brain cancer incorporates three methods, which are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

There
is external and internal radiation therapy. External therapy is
projecting radiation beams on to the tumor and the internal therapy is
implanting small radioactive capsules inside the tumor. Chemotherapy
entails the process of administering drugs to kill the tumor. It is
done in two to four cycles of treatment.

Follow up tests and
checkups are necessary once the brain cancer is treated fully by
eliminating/destroying the brain tumor(s).

Our bones are covered with a fibrous tissue called periosteum, and
we have one layer. Bones contain 2 different cells.  One is the
osteoblast, this one develops the bone, and the other is the
osteoclast, which is the one that dissolves the bone. Our bones are
constantly forming, as the old bone is dissolving.

One type of Bone Cancer is Osteosarcome, which affects the Osteoid, locations can be of the knees, upper legs, upper arms.

Another type is Chondrosarcoma, which affects the Cartilage; location can be in the pelvis, upper legs, or shoulders.

Third
type of Bone Cancer is Ewing’s Sarcoma, which affects the immature
nerve tissue, usually in the bone marrow; locations can be in the
pelvis, upper legs, ribs, and arms.

What is Bone Cancer?

Bone
cancer consists of several types of bone tumors.  Some tumors are
benign, some are malignant bone tumors, there is yet another one called
malignant fibrous histiocytoma.  Osteosarcoma:  cancer of the bone
itself. It’s the most common.  Chondrosarcoma:  This one is in the
cartilage cells and is second most common.  Then we have Ewing tumor: 
named after Dr. James Ewing.  Less than 10% are in other tissues and
organs.  This type of cancer develops in the cavity of the bone.

Diagnoses of Bone Cancer

In
order to get the size, shape of the one tumor ad x-ray can be performed
than, then perhaps an MRI, then maybe a bone scan, or an angiogram. A
biopsy should be done to find out if it is cancer.

Treatment

Any treatments depend on locations, type, size, and the stage of the
Bone Cancer.  Surgery may be the primary treatment, pre/post operative
chemotherapy.  A surgeon may try to avoid amputation and look for bone
cancer section only. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used or both.

One form of cancer is blood cancer, also known as leukaemia.  This
blood cancer caused when the white blood cells of the body over
produce.  The white blood cells are part of the immune system and play
a large in dealing with foreign “invaders” to the body, such as
bacteria and other viruses.  When someone has blood cancer, the
person’s bone marrow makes way too much white blood cells of abnormal
nature, affecting the person’s bone marrow and ability to fight off
infections.

Blood cancer can be broken down into two
types.  The first type of blood cancer is chronic leukaemia, which is a
slowly progressive type of blood cancer that usually affects more
mature blood cells.  Some symptoms of chronic leukaemia include
tiredness, which is brought on my anemia, bruising, which happens
frequently and is not usually caused by a fall, many infections,
swollen lymph nodes, and weight loss.   This form of blood cancer
usually develops over time and can occur for a while before a person
even feels any symptoms.  This type of blood cancer can usually be
treated through chemotherapy with can be given in caplet form.

The
second, most common, form of blood cancer is called chronic lymphocytic
leukaemia, or CLL.  This form of blood cancer is diagnosed in about
4000 people in the UK every year.  This form of blood cancer affects a
certain group of white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which creates a
weakened immune system within the patient.  This disease is usually
found in people between the ages of 40 and 65, and primarily is found
in men.  Symptoms of the blood cancer CLL include painless enlargement
of the lymph glands, enlarged spleen that is sometimes painful, and
consistent feelings of being sick.   If a person believes they might
have a form of blood cancer, they should get a bone marrow test done to
make sure and to see what type of blood cancer they have.

Rectal cancer is form of cancer that can affect the layers of the
rectum, which is the lower part of the colon that connects the anus to
the large intestine.  There are three layers of the rectum that rectal
cancer can penetrate.  The first layer of the rectum that can be
contaminated by rectal cancer is the mucosa.  The mucosa is the layer
of the rectum wall that lines the inner surface and is made up of
glands that release mucus that helps stool pass through the body.  The
second layer of the rectum is the Musclaris propria which is made of
muscles and helps the rectums contract.  The third layer of the rectum
that can be affected by rectal cancer is the Mesorectum which is the
fatty tissue that surrounds the rectum.

Rectal cancer is
fairly common and constitutes about 40,000 of the 150,000 cases of
colorectal cancer that are diagnoses every year.  The most common form
of rectal cancer is called adenocarcinoma, which is a form of rectal
cancer that affects the mucosa layer of the rectum.  This type of
cancer is dangerous because it can spread to the rest of the body
through Lymph nodes located in the rectum.  The severity of rectal
cancer can depend on many  things, including how deep the cancer
penetrates through the rectum, which layers of the rectum are affected
with the disease, and if the cancer has spread through out the body via
the surrounding lymph nodes.

Some symptoms of rectal cancer
include narrowing of the stool, pelvic pain, and red blood in the
stool. On rare occasions, feces can be passed through the female vagina
and passage of air with urine in men. If a person is experiencing these
symptoms it is important to go to the doctors immediately.

Colon cancer is also commonly referred to as colorectal cancer as it
the cancer for both the colon and the rectum are very similar.  The
beginning stages of colon cancer are usually in the form of a polyp
which in itself is not cancerous but certain kinds are known to turn
cancerous (also known as pre-cancerous polyps).  The amount of time it
can take for a polyp to become cancerous is slowly – usually over the
course of years.  

If colon cancer starts to form in a
polyp that is found in the colon or rectum it has the ability to
metastasize through other the colon wall, blood vessels, or other parts
of the body.  There are other types of colon cancers that are diagnosed
as well (in addition to the one just described known as Aden
carcinomas).

Other types of colon cancers:

• Carcinoid Tumors – develop from cells in the intestine
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors – develop from the wall of the colon
• Lymphomas – can develop in lymph nodes as well as the colon or rectum

If
you have noticed any change in the function of your bowels or the
presence of blood you should consult with your doctor right away.  With
careful screening for polyps, many cases of colon cancer can be
prevented or treated in an early stage of the disease.  With the
screening available now, the number of people being diagnosed and dying
is receding.  Colon cancer is the second most common type of cancer
that people die from.

To lower your risk of developing colon
cancer, ensure your diet is full of fiber-rich foods.  You should eat
the minimum serving of fresh fruit and vegetables each day and choose
whole grains whenever possible.  A healthy diet coupled with routine
physical activity and exercise are the best defense against colon
cancer.