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Understanding the Basics About Cancer

Understanding the Basics About Cancer

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/facts-and-figures-2019.html

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging

In 25 years, the United States has seen a 27% decline in the number of deaths caused by cancer. This steep decline is due to the reduction in the number of people smoking habitually and advances in technology. But, what has also helped is people staying informed and aware about the disease. Recognizing the signs and symptoms is very important for getting treatment at the right time. So, here’s everything you need to know about cancer.

Cancer — What is it?

For starters, cancer is not a single disease but rather a bunch of diseases. The cells in the human body are always growing and multiplying, the old ones die and are replaced with the new ones. In the case of cancer, this is what happens, except the cells that are multiplying and replacing the dead cells are abnormal in nature. When these abnormal cells spread to the surrounding tissue, they are called tumors.

There are two types of tumors that are present in the body: benign and malignant. The tumors that are cancerous in nature are malignant, which means that they spread not only to the surrounding tissue but also spread to other organs of the body.

Causes of Cancer

While the exact cause of cancer has not yet been discovered, there are certain factors that are known to put people at risk. A few of the factors that play a role in causing cancer can be avoided or controlled but others cannot be managed.

One of the risk factors in the latter category is genetics. Cancer is genetic and can be inherited. It can also be a result of the cells damaged by environmental issues, age, alcohol, diet, immunosuppression, obesity, exposure to sunlight and radiation, tobacco, and even hormones.

Stages of Cancer

While the TNM system helps give a detailed understanding of cancer, the condition can be, and often is, divided into four stages that are easier to describe and understand:

  • Stage 0: At this stage, abnormal cells are present or in situ in the body. The tumor hasn’t been formed yet, but it could be.
  • Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3: The cancer is present in the body. The greater the stage, the more cancer has spread to the surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, and organs.
  • Stage 4: This is an advanced stage and cancer has metastasized throughout the body.

Prevention of Cancer

Preventive measures for cancer are basically things that a person can do to lower their risk of getting cancer. You can:

  • Try changing the diet and lifestyle to a more healthy one
  • Keep an eye out for precancerous conditions
  • Try chemoprevention if you are at-risk
  • Get a risk-reducing surgery
  • Steer clear of carcinogens

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