Cancer

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Cancer

Cancer, a terminal disease which is also known as malignancy is known to be caused by the abnormal growth or mutation of body cells. Currently, the medical world lists more than 100 types of cancer. The most common types of cancer include brain cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer (Torre et al., 2015). Most cancers start when a cell is altered in composition and start multiplying out of control.

Medical professionals define a tumor as a mass of mutated cells which are experiencing abnormal growth (Gu et al., 2018).  However, not all tumors are considered to be cancerous. Cancer can spread throughout the whole body through a process known as metastasis eventually forming new cancerous tumors in other parts of the body. The causes of cancer can be genetic or from other forces. External forces that can lead to cancer include gene mutations caused by radiation, smoking, and cancer-causing chemicals, hormones, obesity, and lack of exercise, chronic inflammation and viruses (Gu et al., 2018).

The majority of cancerous diseases can be observed and identified through routine self-screening. However, such cancers have to be manifested in one way or another. Types of cancers that can be identified through self-screening include skin cancer, breast cancer, mouth cancer, prostate cancer, and rectum cancer. Most types of cancers are identifiable through a tumor that can be seen or felt by the touch of the hand. However, when a tumor is suspected, there are more ways to diagnose them. These include mammography tests, imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and fiber-optic endoscopy examinations (Hurria et al., 2015).  The confirmation of the diagnosis of most cancers is done by conducting a biopsy which is performed by examining a tissue sample removed from the suspected tumor. The tissue sample is then placed under a microscope and studied for cancerous cells.

Treatment of cancer is mainly surgical or through chemotherapy. However, the type of treatment is mainly dependent on the stage of cancer and the type of cancer. In some cases, depending on the health situation of the patient, other factors such as possible side effects, overall health, and patient’s preferences are taken into consideration. Treatment options include bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, using clinical trial medicines, vaccines, and immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery (Hurria et al., 2015).

In the treatment of cancer, there exists complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These are medical products and practices that are part of standard medical care practices.  Complimentary medicines are treatments that are used with standard medical treatments cut are not considered to be part of them (Farooqui et al., 2016). Alternative medicine is treatments that are used instead of standard medical treatments. Examples of complementary and alternative medicine include acupuncture to aid in lessening the side effects of cancer treatment and special diet prescribed instead of cancer-fighting drugs (Cabral et al., 2018). The use of CAM and standard medical treatment is defined as integrative medicine practices which have been found to be effective and safe for the patient.

Cancer treatments have significant side effects which affect the health of the patient. Chemotherapy and use of some cancer-fighting drugs can make the patient experience discomfort, a significant amount of pain, damage of other body cells and organs that are healthy and damage to the nervous system (Torre et al., 2015). Even though side effects can be dangerous for the patient, not all patients experience these side effects.

 

References

Cabral, C., Efferth, T., Pires, I. M., Severino, P., & Lemos, M. F. (2018). Natural Products as a Source for New Leads in Cancer Research and Treatment. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.

Farooqui, M., Hassali, M. A., Shatar, A. K. A., Farooqui, M. A., Saleem, F., ul Haq, N., & Othman, C. N. (2016). Use of complementary and alternative medicines among Malaysian cancer patients: A descriptive study. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 6(4), 321-326.

Gu, M. J., Huang, Q. C., Bao, C. Z., Li, Y. J., Li, X. Q., Ye, D., … & Wang, J. B. (2018). Attributable causes of colorectal cancer in China. BMC cancer, 18(1), 38.

Hurria, A., Levit, L. A., Dale, W., Mohile, S. G., Muss, H. B., Fehrenbacher, L., … & Soto-Perez-de-Celis, E. (2015). Improving the evidence base for treating older adults with cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology statement. J Clin Oncol, 33(32), 3826-3833.

Torre, L. A., Bray, F., Siegel, R. L., Ferlay, J., Lortet‐Tieulent, J., & Jemal, A. (2015). Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), 87-108.