What is Cancer? – How it’s Increasing & Can we Prevent it?

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease where cells divide without control, which could lead to tumors. Tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that result from uncontrolled cell division. In some cases, they may cause death if not treated. A cancerous tumor is any mass of tissue that grows abnormally and does not function normally. It may become malignant (cancer) or benign (non-malignant). Most cancers start in the skin or the lining of internal organs. Cancers may begin in individual cells or in groups of cells called clusters.

 There are many different types of cancer. The two major categories are carcinomas and sarcomas. Carcinomas are cancers that develop from epithelial cells. Epithelial cells line the inside surfaces of body cavities including the mouth, nose, stomach, intestines, bladder, uterus, cervix, ovaries, prostate, and lungs. Sarcomas are cancers that originate in connective tissue, muscle, blood vessels, fat, cartilage, bone, nerves, and the sheath around bones. There are hundreds of different types of cancer. However, an individual can consult an oncologist from the best cancer hospital in Delhi for this cause.

Types of Cancer

The five most common types of cancer are:

 Breast cancer – Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. About 1 out of 8 women will have breast cancer at some point in their lives. But only about 1 out of 10 women who get breast cancer die from it.

 Prostate cancer – Prostate cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men. More than 180,000 people were diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S. last year. About 30,000 died from it.

 Colorectal cancer – Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Over 130,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. Almost 50,000 will die from it.

 Lung cancer – Lung cancer kills almost 160,000 Americans each year. About 85% of lung cancer patients are smokers. People who smoke are more likely to get lung cancer.

 Leukemia – Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow. White blood cells help fight infection. Leukemia starts when the number of normal white blood cells gets too low. This causes the body’s immune system to stop working properly.

Why is Cancer Increasing?

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and the number one killer disease in the United States. In fact, cancer claims 1 out of every 4 deaths in America today. Unfortunately, the rate at which cancers spread is increasing rapidly, making them even harder to treat. According to statistics released by the American Cancer Society (ACS), about half of all cancers are expected to spread throughout the body within five years.

The ACS reports that nearly 250,000 people die each year due to metastasized cancer. While the majority of these patients have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses, the ACS estimates that approximately 25% of cancer patients could potentially survive if they were treated earlier.

So what exactly causes cancer to spread? And how can we stop it? Let’s take a closer look at some of the major factors behind why cancer increasing and how you can prevent it.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle choices play a huge role in whether someone develops cancer or not. If you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, use drugs, eat unhealthy foods, or engage in risky behaviors, then it increases your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Smoking alone accounts for 21% of lung cancer cases while alcohol consumption contributes to 23% of liver cancer cases.

Genetics

Genetic mutations are often inherited and may increase your chances of developing certain types of cancers. People who inherit a mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are much more likely to develop breast cancer than those without the mutation. Likewise, people who inherit a mutation in the p53 gene are at a higher risk of developing tumors in many parts of their bodies including the lungs, colon, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and prostate.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can also contribute to the development of cancer. Exposure to chemicals, radiation, and pollutants are just a few examples. These environmental factors can affect our DNA directly, causing genetic changes that lead to cancer.

Immune System

Our immune system is responsible for fighting off infections and preventing us from getting sick. However, sometimes it fails and mistakes a normal cell for a tumor cell. When this happens, it can actually help cancer cells thrive and spread.

Metastasis

Metastasis refers to the movement of cancer cells from one organ or area to another. Most commonly, cancer spreads to distant organs via blood vessels. Once cancer cells enter the bloodstream, they travel to different parts of the body where they settle in and start growing again.

Prevention of Cancer

1. Be aware of your environment

 A big factor in preventing cancer is being aware of your surroundings. If you smoke cigarettes and/or vape daily, you have an increased chance of developing lung cancer. Cigarette smoking causes 90% of lung cancers while vaping only increases your risk by 1%.

 2. Get regular check-ups

 If you smoke cigarettes, get regular check-ups to make sure your lungs are clean. You should also get a yearly physical. When you go for your physical, ask about any potential risks associated with smoking and if they recommend getting tested for lung cancer.

 3. Eat right

 Eating a balanced diet is important to maintaining good health. Eating foods high in fiber is great for keeping your digestive system healthy and helps keep your body strong. Foods rich in antioxidants help fight off free radicals that cause damage to cells. Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, broccoli, spinach, red wine, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, and many others.

 4. Drink plenty of water

 Drinking enough water each day keeps your body working properly and prevents dehydration. Dehydration makes it harder for your body to recover from illness and exercise, making you more susceptible to colds and flu. To stay well hydrated, drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

 5. Exercise regularly

 Exercise is a great way to maintain your weight, strengthen your muscles, improve your mood, and lower your risk of heart disease. Keep your workouts short and intense to keep your blood flowing and oxygen levels high. Try lifting weights three times a week, running once a week, swimming, biking, yoga, or dancing.

 6. Sleep well

 Getting adequate sleep every night is important for staying healthy. Sleeping too little or too much can lead to fatigue and poor concentration. Aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

 7. Quit smoking

 Cigarettes put stress on your respiratory tract and increase the chance of developing lung cancer. Quitting smoking completely is the best way to protect yourself from developing lung cancer.

You can also read: Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing