Cancer Types, Causes, Symptoms, Prevention | All Cancers

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Cancers are very life-threatening diseases which occur due to abnormal cell growth and potential spread in all the parts of our body. Cancer cell growth occurs anywhere in a body. Cancer is not always just a single disease it can be a group of related diseases. Majorly, our lifestyle is causing the cancer growth in the global population. Smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight, lack of fruits and vegetable intake, less physical activity, environmental pollution and more. Cancer types are cervical cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Cancer symptoms depend on the type of cancer.

How Does Cancer Occur?

Human body is made up of billions of cells that usually grow, divide and die in a systematic manner. This process is a tightly controlled by the DNA machinery within the cell. When a person is developing and growing up, cells divide rapidly to allow for growth but once adulthood is reached, cells mainly divide to replace worn-out or dying cells or to repair injuries. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Rather than dying, they continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors.

NOTE: Not all tumors are cancerous. For example, benign tumors are not cancerous. Though they may grow larger, they do not spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Cancers:

Symptoms vary depending on the type. The most common signs and symptoms include lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes.

Types of Cancer:

More than 100 types of cancers are there, but mainly most common types of cancers are

Breast cancer
Skin cancer,
Lung cancer
Colon cancer
Prostate cancer
Lymphoma
Stomach cancer
Cervical cancer

The most common types of cancer in males are lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and stomach cancer. The most common types in females are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and cervical cancer.

Cancers

Risk Factors For Cancers:

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases are due to genetic mutations from environmental factors. The remaining 5–10% of cases are due to inherited genetics. Common risk factors for cancer include:

Smoking
Alcohol use
Overweight and obesity
Dietary factors, including insufficient fruit and vegetable intake
Physical inactivity
Chronic infections from helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some types of human papilloma virus (HPV)
Environmental and occupational risks including ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
Pollution

Experts Tips for Prevention:

Some lifestyle factors if modified may help prevent the occurrence of many types of cancers:

Stop Smoking:

90- 95% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking; this is the most important preventable factor in prevention of lung cancer. So, stop smoking completely as much as early.

Maintain a Healthy Weight:

Heavy body weight and obesity increase the risk of cancers including bowel, pancreas, esophagus, kidney and breast cancers.

Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol:

Too much alcohol consumption causes the oral cancer, bowel cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer.

Eat Plenty of Vegetables, Fruits and Whole Grains:

Try to add fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet especially those with fiber. Fiber reduces the risk of bowel cancer. And also add meat, fish, eggs, milk and other these all are good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Don’t eat too much processed and red meat as it may raise the risk of bowel cancer.

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Vaccination Against Certain Infectious Diseases:

Vaccines have been developed that prevent infection by some carcinogenic viruses. HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer, liver cancer.

Try to Avoid Excessive Exposure to Sunlight:

Sun’s ultraviolet rays are very dangerous; these rays may cause skin cancer. So, try to use sun screen lotions and avoid and try to cover up exposed parts of the body with cloths, hats and sunglasses.

Cancers