Cancer

Cancer is among the most dreaded diseases. It is a disease in which some cells of the body can start developing in a very rapid manner causing a lump or a tumor.

Detection of cancer:

• Early detection is the only way to prevent spread of the disease and making the condition incurable or untreatable. The earlier the diagnosis, the more chances of recovery and least side effects of cure. You should ask your doctor about your risks of getting cancer, what are the problems to watch for, and outline a schedule for check-ups. There are many early detection programs you can participate in if you are at higher risk. The various methods of diagnosis are:
• Physical examinations are routinely done during any medical test and also can be done by the people on their own. If any change is observed take action immediately, it may not be cancer at all, but if ignored may turn out to be one.
• Observe your skin for sores and cuts that do not heal, lumps, changes in color, moles, etc. Any change is worth noticing.
• Colon and the rectum is tested in medical exams as well, especially after the age of 50. A digital rectal exam should be also performed to see if there is any abnormality.
• Look inside your mouth for changes such as swelling, color change of gums, bleeding, sores, white patches, etc. This is important if you use alcohol or tobacco.
• Men should go for testicular examinations regularly and also after age of forty should get a digital rectal exam for the prostrate. Self exams are a good idea too.
• Women should go for regular pelvic examinations and the breast examinations. Self examination is also a good idea. Mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) once a while is recommended.

Symptoms:

It is better not to wait for symptoms to show. Some of the symptoms are:

• Lump anywhere in the body
• Changes in bladder or bowel habits
• Wound not healing
• Bleeding does not stop
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hoarseness of the voice
• Cough or cold that does not heal

If you see any of these symptoms it does not mean you have cancer! These are just some of the signs that can be an indication. If any of these signs are observed it is a good idea to get checked.

Diagnosis:

If you happen to get symptoms or something is not right, the doctor always asks for medical history. After going through it carefully he will give you a proper physical examination. He may then order some tests such as x-rays, CAT scan, endoscopies, ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy. He may also take blood samples and stool samples for further tests.

It is often recommended that a second opinion from another doctor is taken before anything can be said with confirmation. Often insurances require a second opinion.

Stage:

The stage of the cancer is very important. The stage of the cancer is the extent of damage it has already caused. The stage defines the medical therapy and the treatment plan. Tests are done to see if the cancer has spread.

Treatment:

Treatment of the cancer is according to the area affected and also the extent of spread. The common treatments include:

• Surgery: This is to remove the tumor. This is only done if the cancer has not spread.
• Radiotherapy: Radiations are used to burn off the cancerous tissues. This is also a mode of treatment if the growth is local and has not spread.
• Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs are given orally or intravenously. The drug reaches all parts of the body. This method targets the stage when the cancer has spread.
• Hormone therapy: Some cancers such as the prostrate or the breast cancer occur due to sudden hormonal changes in the body and depend on them to grow. In such cases the organs producing those hormones are removed surgically or drugs that control the hormone production are given.

It must be kept in mind that all these methods of treatment have a lot of side effects. How much of the side effects will be seen or experienced depend on the kind of treatment, the dosage, and the overall health of the patient. Often other drugs are given to lower the side effects.

One of the major side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments is the reduction in the resistance of the body leading to other infections and diseases. To prevent that often immunotherapy is given to supplement for the loss of the immune system. Cells that are part of the body resistance like antibodies, colony stimulation factors, IL-2, interferon, are given to supplement the loss.

The future:

Often cancer patients leave hope of survival and loose their strength to fight the situation thinking they know the outcome. For care givers the situation is not anything better. Do not loose the strength to fight or loose hope. Research is going on round the clock all over the world and treatments and procedures are changing and improving everyday. We have already come a long way, and we will be going a long way. Do not loose hope and give-up. You do not know what the future has for you. It may be even better than you ever imagined.

For further information, you can contact your local cancer information service.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha, Last updated: 02.12.07 © Medhospital Foundation

There is no generalization possible in medicine. The pages included in this website are purely educational and have been presented for information purpose only. Each section has been prepared with utmost care but should not be used as a substitute for your own physician's advice and care. Please see conditions for use.