Cancer
Symptoms and treatment of various cancers
One of the most frightening diseases that can affect an individual today is cancer. This potentially deadly disease can attack single parts of the body or may spread throughout the body. While many cancers can now be survived, the treatment is often painful and debilitating. Plus, in addition to the physical pain of the disease and its treatment, sufferers and their families often face emotional trauma and feelings of fear, confusion, anger, anxiety and depression.
Early recognition and treatment greatly improve a person's odds of surviving cancer.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the body in which certain cells become mutated and eventually feed on normal, healthy cells. As this process continues, the cancer begins to grow. Furthermore, while it may start in a specific, centralized area, the growth of cancer cells and the interaction of bodily systems may lead the cancer to spread to other organs or areas of the body.
It is important to know that there are many specific types of cancer that can affect an individual. In women, breast cancer is extremely common, and cervical cancer is also a worry. In men, prostate cancer is of great concern, as is colon cancer (though this can also affect women). Smokers are particularly prone to lung cancer and cancers of the mouth and throat, and we've all heard the warnings about sun exposure and the risk of skin cancer.
Some cancers are more common than others, and some people are at greater risk for certain types of cancers than for others, but it is important to remember that cancer can affect just about anyone and just about any system in the body. Minimizing risks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help protect against the disease, and self-checks and regular doctor's exams can lead to early detection, increasing the odds of survival.
Symptoms of Various Cancers
The symptoms of cancer are dependent upon which part of the body is affected. A lump in the breast is a well-known sign of breast cancer. Colon cancer is sometimes indicated by blood in the stool. Skin cancer is often detected through the appearance of a melanoma on the skin. General cancer symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue.
Treatment of Various Cancers
The best cancer treatment is prevention. Many cancers can be protected against through behavior and lifestyle changes. For example, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, wearing sunscreen and covering exposed skin have been proven to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Smoking is a well-known, common cause of lung cancer, so not smoking, or quitting smoking, is a way to prevent that particular cancer.
For those cancers that can't be prevented, early detection is the next best thing. Regular screenings and self-exams are imperative.
When it comes to actual cancer treatment, there are many options available to the individual. Again, these depend on the type of cancer, as well as the severity. For example, if a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the treatment will likely be surgical, but it may be a simple lumpectomy or a more radical mastectomy. To make sure that all of the cancer cells are destroyed, cancer treatment usually includes at least one course of radiation or chemotherapy.
Cancer Research
It would appear that cancer research is a priority for most medical professionals, and the recent awareness campaigns for various cancers have helped provide funding for these initiatives. No cure has yet been found, but many tremendous advancements have been made in the treatment of various cancers, as well as in the identification of risk factors and the development of screening procedures for early detection.