There are seven common ones. They are often called the Seven Danger Signals of Cancer:
Change in bowel or bladder habits.
A sore that does not heal.
Unusual bleeding or discharge.
Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.
Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
Obvious change in wart or mole.
Nagging cough or hoarseness.
Cancer in men
Are cancers in men and women different?
There are no fundamental differences in cancers in men and women. Most important thing is that common male cancers (lung and oral) are preventable because they are caused by tobacco. Female cancers (breast, cervix) can be detected early and cured.
What forms of cancer are more common among men than women?
Cancer of the mouth, throat, gullet, stomach, rectum, larynx, lung, skin and brain are all more common in men than in women. Gall bladder and thyroid cancers are more frequent in women.
Does smoking or tobacco and paan chewing cause cancer?
Smoking and tobacco chewing are known to cause cancer of the mouth, throat, lungs etc. Therefore, it is best to play safe. If you smoke or chew tobacco, make every effort to stop. Stop smoking and tobacco chewing and prevent cancer !
Can cancer result from sexual intercourse?
No. There is no known relationship between cancer and sexual activity on the part of the male or female. However women who have multiple sexual partners run a greater risk of getting cervix cancer.
Cancer in women
Do more women than men die of cancer?
No. The misconception that cancer is primarily a woman's disease is due to the frequency of cancer of the breast and cancer of the reproductive organs in women, in comparison with the more varied occurrence of cancer in men.
Does cancer occur more frequently among married or unmarried women?
Reports from death certificates show that above the age of 40, the cancer death rate is higher among single women than among married women of the same ages. Single women have higher death rates from cancer of the breast and married women have more cancer of the cervix. Physicians believe that having the first child around the age of 20 is preventive against cancer of the breast. Multiple sexual partners increase the risk of cancer of the cervix.
Is there danger in watching a lump in the breast to see what happens?
Yes, a very grave danger. Time is the most important factor in the control of cancer and waiting to "see what happens" may permit a curable cancer to become incurable. This may allow it to spread to other parts of body and make the treatment more difficult
Are all breast lumps cancerous?
No. Only small percentage of lumps are cancerous. Careful physical examination and mammography can differentiate benign from malignant lump. Biopsy & FNAC of lump by a competent pathologist can clinch the diagnosis.
What precautions should be taken to avoid cancer of the breast?
Every woman above the age of 40 should have her breasts examined annually by a physician. Every women after the age of 35 years should be taught how to examine her own breasts (monthly after her periods). Screening mammography should be encouraged at the age of 40 years onward and then every 2 yearly. Soon we will have genetic markers to detect high risk group of women who are likely to develop breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
How should you examine your breasts?
Self examination of the breast should be done in the following ways after periods are over. Post menopausal women should examine their breasts every month.
Sit or stand in front of a mirror, with your arms relaxed at your sides, and examine your breasts carefully for any changes in size and shape. Look for any puckering or dimpling of the skin, and for any discharge or change in the nipples. Compare one breast with the other.
Raise both your arms over your head, and look for exactly the same changes. See if there is any change since you last examined your breasts.
You should feel for a lump or thickening in the breast tissues. Lie down on your bed, or on the floor. Put a pillow or a bath towel under your left shoulder, and place your left hand under your head. With the fingers of your right hand held together flat, press gently but firmly with small circular motions to feel the inner, upper quarter of your left breast, starting at your breast bone and going outward toward the nipple line. Also feel the areas around the nipple.
With the same gentle pressure next feel the lower, inner parts of your breast.
Now bring your left arm down to your side, and still using the flat part of your fingers, feel under your armpit.
Use the same gentle pressure to feel the upper, outer quarter of your breast from the nipple line to where your arm is resting.
And finally, feel the lower, outer section of your breast, proceeding from the outer part to the nipple.
Repeat the entire procedure, for the right breast.
Cancer in children
Can cancer develop in children? At what age?
No age is free from cancer. Certain forms of cancer, especially of the eyes and blood are found in young children.
If a parent dies of cancer are the children more likely to have the disease?
The answer is no. In many families where a parent had cancer, the disease does not appear in the children. Again, a person whose family has no record of cancer may develop it. A tendency to develop breast cancer however runs in families. Even colon cancers are known to be familial.
Does cancer develop more quickly in children than in older people?
The rate of growth at any age depends upon the type of cancer, though cancer does grow faster at younger ages.
If detected in time, can cancer in a child be cured more quickly than in an adult?
The cure of cancer has little relationship with age. It depends upon the extent of growth at the time it is detected, the adequacy of the treatment given, as well as the type of cancer detected.
Laconi E, et al. (2020). Cancer as a disease of old age: changing mutational and microenvironmental landscapes. nature.com/articles/s41416-019-0721-1
In simple terms, cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells. Each one of us is born with a potential for cancer. One cannot "Catch" it as one would an infection or a cold. When the programming of a cell or a group of cells is affected, growth may become uncontrolled. Some of the factors that can alter the code are chronic irritation, tobacco, smoke and dust, radioactive substances, age, sex, race and heredity. While one cannot control many of these factors , we need to be aware of the ones we can control of. Prevention is definitely better than treatment of cancer. No one yet talks of cure, treatment: Cancer is the result of rapid and uncontrolled cell growth in your body. A normal cell multiplies and divides in a controlled manner. Sometimes, those instructions become scrambled. When this happens, the cells begin to divide at an uncontrolled rate. This can develop into cancer.
Most found in :
Each type of cancer has a specific set of risk factors, but several risk factors are common among multiple types. These risk factors include:
people of a certain age
people who use tobacco and alcohol
people exposed to radiation and a lot of sunlight
people with chronic inflammation
people who are obese
people with a family history of the disease
Tips for prevention
There’s no clear way to avoid cancer. But certain behaviors have been linked to increased cancer risk, like smoking. Avoiding those behaviors may help you cut your risk. Good changes to your behaviors include things like:
Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Quit smoking and drink in moderation.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun for extended periods of time. Don’t use tanning beds.
Have regular cancer screenings, including skin checks, mammograms, prostate exams, and more.
Broadly, there are 18 cancers that can be generally related to life style.
Breast Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Oral Cancers
Cancer of the Bladder5 Cancer In the Eyes
Cancer of the Pancreas
Colorectal Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Laryngeal Cancers
Liver Cancers
Lung Cancers
Ovarian Cancers
Prostrate Cancer
Skin Cancers
Stomach Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Thyroid Cancers
Uterine Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Fatigue
Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Persistent cough or trouble breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness
Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain
Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
What causes cancer?
Though it is very difficult to pin point the definite cause. 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 smoking is twice as dangerous as cigarettes. Continued irritation of tissues can lead to cancer. Pollution, preserved food, smoked and junk food are also contributory. Even certain viruses can cause cancer (EBV, Hepatitis B, HPV). Amongst other known causes are asbestos, arsenic, pitch, tar, ultra-violet rays.
Grosso G, et al. (2017). Possible role of diet in cancer: systematic review and multiple meta-analyses of dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and cancer risk. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28969358/
Cancer has increasingly been known as a “life-style’ disease. Scientists are proved that cancers are linked to where you live, to what you eat and drink, and breathe and smoke. Eating healthy food is important when you are well. It is even more important when you are receiving treatment for cancer. Cumulative impacts of the toxins in our systems lead to, or impact, diseases such as cancer. There are no special foods you must eat or must avoid, but these suggestions will possibly help you to overcome problems connected with side effects of treatment. Cancer cannot be cured by diet alone, and there is insufficient evidence to prove that ‘special’ diets are beneficial. Some of these extreme diets may be harmful and interfere with the success of your treatment. If you are considering drastic changes, please discus them with your treating doctor. It is vital that you eat well to feel well and have more energy; get the best benefit from your treatment, with fewer side effects; improve your body’s ability to heal and keep body-weight at a healthy level. You need to eat energy generating foods, which help you maintain body weight. You need protein to maintain and renew the body’s tissues. You need vitamins and minerals to help the body assimilate the food you have eaten. Your food plan should include:
1. Vegetables & fruit
2. Breads and cereal
3. Milk and milk products
4. Lean meats (poultry, fish) , eggs, or nuts and pulses (dal)
5. Fats (used sparingly), but not eliminated.
6. Fluids, especially water. Food Safety. Food safety is of special concern to cancer patients. Please bear these guidelines in mind:
Wash hands thoroughly before eating.
Wash hands before food preparation, and wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
Handle raw meats with care. Keep away from cooked foods. Cook meat/poultry/fish thoroughly. Use pasteurized/boiled milk.
If eating away from home, avoid salads, sushi , and raw/undercooked meats and eggs.
Take particular care with water you drink. Side effects and how to deal with them. Loss of appetite: It is quite common for people to have temporary problems such as loss of appetite during cancer treatment. Ideally, you should stay at the same weight as before cancer. Losing weight during treatment is not recommended. The normal 'food pyramid' does not apply in cancer patients.
Eat more frequent, but smaller meals. There is no rule, which says a patient should eat at "regular" meal times, or in "regular" quantities.
Very often, taste changes after chemotherapy. Make sure the meal looks appetizing, tempting the patient to eat.
Baby foods often work. Strained & pureed foods are easier to eat. You may want to add a teaspoon of non-fat dry milk (Powder) to soups or pureed foods.
Ice cream is a great option. So too milk shakes with fresh fruit. Jelly made with fruit juice or even soup is easily taken.
Dahi/lassi is easier to digest than full milk foods.
Please offer fruit whose skin is discarded - banana, mango, papaya, apple etc. Skin if fruit like grapes has residue of pesticides, which does not wash off completely.
Small amounts of meat in a broth or puree after cooking can be offered.
Grilled fish is excellent.
All vegetables can be cooked with light spice and pureed./strained.
Offer plenty of fluids - water, juice, soups, milk shakes; but especially water. Above all, please speak up about changes have happened in your taste. You may want extra salt, extra masala, extra sugar. Ask the family to give it to you. If you cannot tolerate milk products, (try dahi), ask your doctor about lactose free products available. If you have diabetes, high cholesterol, please ask the doctor for advice. Avoid foods that gives gas or which bring on diarrhea. You have already recognised the importance of a good diet in better prognosis for your recovery.
