Cancer is a disease that occurs due to the presence of abnormal cells dividing without control. It can spread to the rest of the body's organs. There are over 100 types of cancer.
Cause:
There is no single cause of cancer, as it may happen due to various factors. The causes of cancer are still largely unknown. Moreover, some factors could lead to cancer, including:
- Chemical substances and carcinogens
- Radiation
- Hormonal imbalance and genetic mutations
- Genetic factors
Symptoms:
- The appearance of a lump or swelling anywhere in the body
- Changes in digestion in the form of persistent constipation or diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing or digesting food
- Unusual bleeding or bloody urine or stool
- Unexplained menstrual cycle changes in women, or abnormal vaginal discharge
- Noticeable change in moles or polyps on the body
- A persistent and annoying cough or change in voice
- A wound or ulcer that does not heal
- Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fever
Diagnosis:
- Cancer is diagnosed through medical tests, such as:
- Laboratory blood tests;
- Normal screenings, CT scan, or an MRI scan;
- Endoscopy such as a colonoscopy
- Taking a biopsy (sample) of the lump.
Risk factors:
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight without protection.
- First-hand and second-hand smoke.
- An unhealthy diet.
- Obesity and lack of physical exercise.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Unsafe exposure to pollutants or radioactivity.
Complications:
Cancer could lead to several complications. They include:
- Spread of cancer cells in the body.
- Unresponsiveness to treatment or the recurrence of cancer.
Treatment:
- Surgical treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotheraphy
- Hormonal therapy
- Gene therapy
Prevention:
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid obesity and maintain a normal weight.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- Eat enough vegetables and fiber-rich foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- See your doctor if you notice any abnormal changes in your body.