News and Articles on Health. Medical research topics.

Cancer is a dreaded disease, which is a major cause of death of human in the modern world. It is characterized by the uncontrolled multiplication  and growth of cells. It may develop in any part of the body in all types of living organisms.

Cancer is not a contagious disease. Cancer results from the breakdown of regulatory mechanism, which controls the normal cell behaviour. Cancerous cells are called malignant neoplasm. They directly affects the normal activities of other cells. They compete with normal cells for nutritional factors and finally destroy them. The cancerous cells may group together in masses to form tumors.

It is very difficult to say the exact cause of cancer in human beings. It is assumed that it is caused by the interaction of many factors and it may be the result of a chain of events. We have not been able to find the complete chain of events. We know some agents causes cancer. The agents which can cause cancers are called as carcinogens. Important carcinogens are:

• Chemicals and radioactive rays

They cause alteration in the genetic materia l(DNA) resulting in the oncogenic transformations that lead to cancer. A number of chemicals that are known to make cancer. They include certain polycyclic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, byproduct of combustion of fossil fuels, alkaloids like nicotine, caffeine, some steroid etc. Expoure to UV rays , X rays and various radioactive elements may produce cancer.

• Tumour promoters

Some cells which had undergone genetic alternations are responsible for oncogenic transformations. These substances that promote the proliferation of this type of cells are called tumour promoters. Some growth factors and hormones are tumour promoters.

• Smoking and tobacco chewing

Heavy smoking is the major cause of lung cancer.

• Virus

It is supposed  some viruses such as DNA and RNA viruses induces cancers in human beings. These viruses are called oncogenic viruses.

Normally cells grow under the control of some regulatory genes. Changes in these genes causes oncogenic transformations.

• Spreading of cancers

Cancerous growth starts at one location where cells proliferate to give rise to a mass of cells forming the tumour. Sometimes they may be detached and carried by the blood to the other parts of the body and spread in the new locations.

• Diagnosis

Cancer occurs at all ages in human. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment is essential for controlling this diseases. A painless lump or thickening in any part of the body , a sudden change in the size and colour of the wart,  persistent cough,  persistent digestive problems, excessive bleeding in women, sudden weight of body weight etc are some suspected features of cancers.

Various methods employed for diagnosis of cancer are..

1. It can be done by studying the characteristic histological features of malignant cells.
2. Blood test for abnormal WBC and bone marrow biopsy can be used.
3. X rays, CT scan and MRI scan can be used to detect cancers of internal organs like kidney, pancreas etc..

Treatment of cancer

Since cancer is not a single diseases and can caused by different ways an absolute single cure is not possible. Nowadays cancer treatment can be done in four different ways.

Surgery

When the cancer is concentrated  at a particular location, the part is removed by surgery. It is an easiest method. After surgery it cannot be ensure that all the cancer cells have been removed. Some tumours cannot be accessible for surgerical removal.

Radiation therapy.

In this method by focusing radioactive rays in the cancerous region, the cancerous cells can be destroyed. However this approach cause tremendous damage to the nearby tissues.

Chemotherapy

In this method several chemotherapeutic drugs are used to kill tumour cells. But it has many side effects

These are some treatments against cancer. Hope that we will remove this disease from our world shortly.

The breasts holds significant meaning to female sex.

Those woman who got breast cancer easily get emotional and physical trauma because the chance of losing this vital part of the body is very high severerly erodes a woman’s self image. Worldwide statistics shows that breast cancer affects approximately one out of 12 women. Although rare, this most dangerous disease also affects men as well but the percent is low as 1% of all breast cancer cases.

There are many factors that related to the cause of breast cancer such as wearing under-wires bras but the actual causes of breast cancer is still unkown. The common factors that causes breast cancer are listed below.

• The Family History.

Those with family of breast cancer are at high risk to get breast cancer. The risk in increase fourfold is two first degree relatives are affected.

• Use of Oral Contraceptives & Hormone Replacement Therapies.

The prolonged use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies (HRT) is linked to heightened risk of breast cancer by 1.2 and 1.3 times respectively. This is because the hormone estrogen is believed to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.

• Diet and Obesity

Excessive consumption of saturated fat can increase the risk of getting breast cancer. Obesity has been found to be a breast cancer risk in studies, especially for women after menopause. Although the ovaries produce most of estrogen, fat tissue produces a small amount of estrogen. Having more fat tissue can increase your estrogen levels and increase your likelihood of developing breast cancer.

Other risk factors are nulliparity or not having children, abortion of the first pregnancy, early onset of menstruation (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 55).

Breast cancer is very traumatic for women as it affects them mentally, physically and emotionally. Family support is very vital to see them through the various treatments and later return to normal daily life.