Cancer: Causes, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Cancer is the development of abnormal cells that divide in the uncontrolled manner leading to the formation of mass of cells.

Cancer is the development of abnormal cells that divide in the uncontrolled manner leading to the formation of mass of cells. Cancer has the ability to spread the whole body and can infiltrate in the immune system and body tissues which leads to the destruction of normal body functioning.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is the stage when body develops some abnormal cells that can grow in the uncontrolled manner leading to the formation of mass of cells called tumors. Cancer has be specific to the site and does not spread to other parts of the body such cancers are called benign tumor. This tumor can become large on a specific palace but does not spread to other parts of the body. Whereas cancer that spreads to other parts of the body and can influence other organs and systems is called malignant tumor. There are various symptoms associate with the cancer, these may be general but can also be related to the cancer. Symptoms include fatigue, lump areas, weight change, skin changes, hoarseness, unexplained bleeding, unexplained fevers and night sweats, prolonged muscle and joint pains, trouble in breathing, changes in bowl or bladder habits etc. these can be related to the cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in the world but survival rates are improving by new techniques of screening, awareness and early detection of the disease.

Causes of cancer

Causes of Cancer

There are many causes of this disease. From genetics to environmental conditions, from daily habits to exposure to some causing agents can be the cause of cancer. Here are some common causes of cancer.

Family history or genetics
Mutation
Smoking
Heavy alcohol consumption
Physical inactivity
Poor diet
Exposure to radiations
Excessive or over weight
Human papillomavirus infection
Age

Besides the above listed causes, there may be some other causes which can affect your body and can lead to this disease.

Types of Cancer

There are different types of cancer on the basis of organs or organ systems they infect. These types can also be classified on the nature of cancer, whether spreading (malignant tumor) or stationary (benign tumor) to a specific position. Some types of cancer include:

Breast Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Colon or rectal cancer
Melanoma (Caner in melanocytes)
Liver cancer
Leukaemia (Cancer of White blood cells)
Endometrial (Cancer in the lining of uterus)
Pancreatic
Thyroid
Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Cancer of lymphatic system)

These are some of the common types of cancer, which leads to the maximum deaths due to cancer disease.

Diagnosis of the Cancer

There are different ways to diagnose the cancer in the patient, methods include physical examination, laboratory tests, Imaging tests, biopsy and genetic testing.

Physical Examination: Patient will be examined for the visible changes in the body like change in colour, increase of tissue mass, enlargement of organ or any such indications which are related to caner.
Laboratory Tests: These tests can use patient’s urine or blood for the detection cancer. Laboratory tests may include:
- Complete Blood count (CBC) test
- Tumor markers
- Blood protein tests
- Circulating tumor cell tests
Imaging Tests: These tests use the technology of imaging by using radioactive tracers for the detection of the cancer, imaging tests may include:
- Positron emission test (PET) scan
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Combination of both PET (Positron emission test) and CT (Computed tomography) scan
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIGB) scan
Biopsy Tests: These testes use the patient’s cells, tissues, fluids, growths and are examined under the microscope. Biopsy tests include:
- Skin biopsy (sample of skin used)
- Bone marrow biopsy (sample of bone marrow used)
- Needle biopsy (Thin hollow needle used to extract cells, tissue or fluids)
- Laparoscopic biopsy (Laparoscope used to see inside of the body)
- Incisional biopsy (Effected body part or whole tumor cut used for test)
- Perioperative biopsy (Also called frozen section biopsy in which tissue is removed and treatment is started immediately)
Genetic Tests:
- Researchers have identified more than 400 genes associate with the cancer. Patient can go for the genetic tests if he has the family history of cancers. Patients with family history are more prone to this disease and early detection can be helpful. Also mutation that can be caused by any type of irritation, radiation, or any other condition can also lead to cancer. Genetic tests targets the specific cancer genes for the diagnosis of the disease.

Treatment for the Cancer

There are various approaches for the treatment of the cancer based on the target site, type of cancer, stage of cancer and overall health of the patient. Some common treatments include:

Surgery: In this case the cancerous tumor is removed from the patient
Stem cell therapy: It involves the removing of cells and are beneficial in blood related cancers like leukemia.
Chemotherapy: In this procedure, some drugs are used to target the specific sites of cancers to reduce the effect, but the side effects are severe.
Hormone therapy: This approach is used mostly in prostate and breast cancers as the hormones influence the ability of body to produce cancerous cells.
Immunotherapy: This approach uses medications to boost the immune response and fights the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: This approach uses the radiation to limit or kill the cancer cells in the body.

These are the treatments available for the treatment of cancer. With the technology development and evolution of new advanced medicines, new approaches are coming up to counter the disease.

Prevention Cancer

Cancer caused 2^nd most deaths worldwide. Prevention and precautions can greatly reduce the mortality rate worldwide. Here are some common and effective preventions and precautions to counter the disease.

Avoid unhealthy life style
Exercise daily
Stop smoking or any other tobacco products
Stop drinking too much of alcohol
Too much exposure to sunlight or radiation
Too much consumption of packed food.
Eat healthy and balanced diet.
Maintain your body weight
Go for regular cancer screening tests
Immunization from the infections which led to cancer.

What is the Cost of the Cancer screening test in Delhi?

The cost of cancer screening test in Delhi depends on the area, healthcare facility and the quality of healthcare provider. You can choose Ganesh Diagnostics for cancer screening tests as they provide best facility, quality, government accreditations and having expertise in healthcare with affordable prices and discounts available.

Why Choose Ganesh Diagnostic?

Ganesh Diagnostic has the expertise in quality healthcare tests and scans from decades, having best in class doctors and facilitation. Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed and prestigious Diagnostic centres that provides a 24x7x365 days facility. The test results are 100 % accurate which help the patients to get the best and the right treatment for easy recovery. The quality is backed by the NABH and NABL accreditations, NABH is for highest standard care and services provided to patients and NABL reflects the competency of laboratories and equipment at national and international standards. We also provide free blood sample collection at home for different tests, Get tested and treated well with the best diagnostic centre. Grab the opportunity and book an appointment.

Conclusion

Cancer is deadly disease and causes 2^nd most deaths around the world. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body and can be initiated by many factors. Regular screening for the disease can minimize the effect and can be treated at early stage without much damage.

FAQs

What is cancer?

Cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells or tissues leading to the death.

When are the different types of cancer?

There are different types of cancer like Breast Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Colon or rectal cancer etc. based on the position and cells involved.

How to detect cancer early?

Go for regular screening to avoid any delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

What are the risks associated tests of cancer?

There are no such risks associated with cancer tests, when conducted in presence of healthcare expert and at good healthcare facility with proper guidelines and protocols.