What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease that affects many people around the world. There are different types of cancers that affect people differently. Cancer cells grow uncontrollably and out of control. These cells can spread throughout the body and cause damage. A person’s immune system may not be able to fight off these cells and they continue to multiply and develop. If left untreated, cancer can kill a person.
There are many causes of cancer. People who smoke cigarettes have a higher chance of getting lung cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to radiation, asbestos, chemicals, obesity, and certain viruses.
The first step in fighting cancer is to know what type it is. Once you find out what kind of cancer a person has, you can make sure that treatment is right for them. Treatment includes medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and supportive care.
A person’s diet can help prevent cancer. Eating foods high in fiber, vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing some forms of cancer. Foods high in fat and sugar increase the risks of developing cancer.
Types of Cancer
The following are the most popular types of Cancer
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lungs. There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for about 85% of cases of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancers are further divided into three subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinomas account for 40% of all lung cancers. Adenocarcinomas make up 30% of all lung cancers, while large cell carcinoma makes up 10%.
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. In 2013, 1.67 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer, accounting for 25% of all female cancer diagnoses. Among these cases, approximately 0.52 million were fatal. Breast cancer was the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States in 2014, after lung cancer.
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Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 180,000 new cases of prostate cancer occur each year in the U.S., and 27,000 men die of the disease annually. About 80% of these deaths are due to metastasis.
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Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in both sexes. More than 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer per year, and 50,000 die from the disease.
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Liver Cancer
The liver is the largest internal organ in the body, weighing around 2 pounds. It is located below the diaphragm and helps regulate blood sugar levels. The liver performs many functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of bile and digestive enzymes. The liver also stores glycogen, cholesterol, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer ranks the sixth place in terms of incidence, and seventh place in terms of mortality. Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death. However, its incidence is declining in developed countries.
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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that may occur in any abnormal growth of cells in the skin. Most skin cancers are benign tumors called moles. Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It spreads easily to other parts of the body. Over 60 percent of melanomas arise in people who have had at least one mole removed. Other forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
8. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the mouth and affects the tongue, lips, gums, roof of the mouth, the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, inside of the cheeks, and base of the throat. Mouth cancers may begin as a sore that does not heal properly, bleeding, sores on the lips or inside of the cheeks, lumps under the skin, or changes in the color or texture of the skin. These symptoms may occur slowly over time, or they may appear suddenly. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. The treatment of oral cancer may depend on the stages of the cancer
Symptoms of Cancer
Following are the common symptoms of cancer that found in mainly all types of cancer
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Weight loss
When someone loses weight, they lose water weight first. Then their body starts to break down fat cells until only muscle remains. Muscle is denser than fat, so the person might feel weak and tired. People who have lost a lot of weight may experience rapid heart rate and shallow breathing. These symptoms could be caused by a number of things. Cancer is not always the cause. Other conditions that affect the lungs, liver, kidneys, or stomach can lead to weight loss.
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Lumps
A lump is a hard mass that forms under the skin. A lump can appear anywhere on the body, but lumps that occur near the lymph nodes are often related to cancer. Swelling around the mouth, neck, armpits, groin, or buttocks could indicate swelling due to infection, inflammation, or injury. Breast lumps are not always cancerous; however, if any breast lump does not go away after six months, a doctor should be consulted.
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Painful urination
Painful urination means that urine is leaking out of the bladder at a faster pace than normal. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause painful urination. UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat UTIs. If pain continues despite antibiotic treatment, then doctors may perform tests to determine what type of infection is causing the problem.
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Nausea
Nausea is an unpleasant sensation that causes people to feel queasy. Sometimes nausea is caused by pregnancy or food poisoning. In some cases, the feeling of sickness is caused by a virus or stomach flu. People who get sick often vomit to rid themselves of harmful substances.
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Fatigue
Fatigue is a general lack of energy that makes it difficult to do daily activities. Many people experience fatigue while recovering from surgery or illness. Fatigue can make it harder for people to work or sleep.
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Fever
Fever is a rise in temperature accompanied by chills. When a fever occurs, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight off disease-causing germs. The body’s defense mechanism is stronger when a person has a fever. However, a high fever can be dangerous. A person with a fever may be dehydrated and need fluids.
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Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is difficulty taking deep breaths. The shortness of breath may be caused by lung problems, heart failure, fluid buildup in the chest cavity, or pneumonia. People who have a chronic cough or wheezing may also experience shortness of breath.
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