What is cancer?

Cancer is a group of several hundred diseases in which abnormal cells are not destroyed by normal metabolic processes but instead proliferate and spread out of control. Cancers are distinguished from each other by the specific type of cell involved and the place in the body in which the disease begins.

Normal cells grow in a well regulated pattern. When cancer sets in, a group of cells suddenly starts multiplying in a haphazard and uncontrolled way, forming lumps or tumors. a malignant tumor never stops growing and can spread to other parts of the body.

There are 2 types of Cancer - Malignant and Benign tumor. A malignant tumor never stops growing and can spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumor does not invade other tissues or spread to other parts of the body, although they can expand to interfere with health structures. The main features of a malignant tumor (cancer) are its ability to grow in an uncontrolled way and to invade and spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).

Broadly, there are 19 cancers that can be generally related to life style.
Though it is very difficult to pinpoint any definite cause of Cancer, certain substances, known as carcinogens, can definitely increase your chances of getting cancer. For instance, people who smoke or chew tobacco are more prone to mouth, throat and lung cancer. 

Contrary to popular opinion, beedi (Local Cigarette, made of leaf and tobacco)  smoking is twice as dangerous as cigarettes.

Amongst other known causes are asbestos, arsenic, pitch, tar, ultra-violet rays. Continued irritation of tissues can lead to cancer.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Lung, stomach, liver, colon and breast cancer cause the most cancer deaths each year. Main Causes of Colon Cancer -  HIGH FAT, LOW FIBER.

Some people are porn to Cancer and this is due to Life style, example cancer of Colon, Lungs, and Skin are common in Britain and USA.

While Oral and lungs in males and Cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India. One out of every 8 Indians gets cancer. Though cancer can occur at any age, the incidence is higher after the age of 40 to 45.

In India, Cancer has become 1 of the 10 leading, 2 biggest causes of death. Cancer is growing at 11 per cent annually. It is estimated that there are nearly 1.5-2 million cancer cases at any given point of time. In 1991, 6 lakhs new cancer cases were diagnosed; that figure has now risen to 8 lakhs. Nearly 15 lakh patients require facilities for diagnosis, treatment and follow up at a given time.

Every hour, cancer kills at least 50 people in India and claims 100 new patients. About 7, 00,000 to 9, 00,000 new cancer cases are detected yearly. Breast cancer cases have doubled in INDIA in the last two decades. An estimated 4, 40,000 people die of   cancer every year.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer –

• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Discomfort after eating
• A hard time swallowing.
• Weight gain or loss with no known reason.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Feeling weak or very tired    
• White patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue.
• Fever
• Sores that do not heal
• Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body
• Fever
• A pink and blue ribbon is sometimes used to symbolize breast cancer in men, which is relatively rare. The pink and blue ribbon was designed in 1996 by Nancy Nick, President and Founder of the John W. Nick Foundation to bring awareness that "Men Get Breast Cancer Too
• The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness in Women.
• Pink ribbons, and the color pink in general, identify the wearer or promoter with the breast cancer brand and express moral support for women with breast cancer.
• Actress Manisha Koirala, a survivor of ovarian cancer. 
•  Lisa Ray - Multiple Myeloma.
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