Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Cancer is a disease that can attack all parts of the body. Your body regularly produces new cells for growth and to replace damaged or diseased cells. Normally, cells grow and develop in a steady way. However, there is also uncontrolled growth which then appears as a lump called a tumor.

Tumors consist of benign tumors and malignant tumors. Benign tumors arise when there is abnormal cell growth that does not cross tissue boundaries, grows slowly, is sympathized, and has a membrane that makes it easy to operate and remove.

Meanwhile, malignant or cancerous tumors are abnormal cell growths that grow fast, do not have branches, and grow to infiltrate other parts through the lymph vessels.

In cancer patients, the complication that often arises is an infection, namely in people with advanced cancer. This infection occurs due to a lack of protein and other nutrients, as well as suppression of the immune system that often occurs after conventional treatment.

Symptom

Signs of cancer are very dependent on the part of the affected organ. However, in general, cancer gives symptoms including the following:

• There is bleeding or discharge that is not natural. Such as constant nosebleeds, nipple discharge that contains blood, copulatory fluids that bleed outside the menstrual cycle or menopause, blood in the stool when defecating, blood in the urine, coughing or vomiting that contains blood.
• Rapid weight loss due to lack of fat and protein.
• Lumps on the breast.
• Noticeable mole or skin changes.

Specifically, cancer has a type based on the organ it attacks. The symptoms that occur have their own characteristics, but it is possible that a combination of symptoms can also appear.

• Brain Cancer
  Headaches, weakness, numbness in arms and legs, memory changes, difficulty walking, significant changes in vision, difficulty speaking.
• Oral Cancer
  There are canker sores in the mouth, tongue and gums that do not go away
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
  Bleeding through the nose that is mild to severe, or congestion in the nose, ear pain, ringing in the ears, discomfort, eye complaints in the form of double vision, enlargement, or a lump in the neck.
• Cervical Cancer
  The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, or the presence of watery yellowish spots followed by a fishy odor in the vagina. This abnormal bleeding mainly occurs after sexual intercourse, but bleeding can also occur between two menstrual cycles or after menopause. If the cancer has spread to the pelvis, back pain can occur, followed by difficulty urinating and enlarged kidneys.
• Ovarian Cancer
  In general, there are no early symptoms of this cancer, if there are they are usually vague. These symptoms include pelvic pain, bloating, fatigue, weight loss, constipation, and irregular menstrual bleeding. On physical examination, if a mass or lump is found in the pelvis is a sign that needs to be suspected.
• Breast Cancer
  Lumps, skin thickening, changes in breast shape, itching, redness, pain not related to breastfeeding or menstruation.
• Gastrointestinal Cancer
  The presence of blood in the stool marked with bright red or black color, persistent discomfort in the stomach, a lump in the stomach, pain after eating, and weight loss.
• Cervical Cancer
  Bleeding in menstrual periods, unusual bleeding during menstruation, and excruciating pain.
• Colon Cancer
  Bleeding in the intestines, blood in the stool changes in bowel movements (persistent diarrhea or difficulty passing stools).
• Bladder or Kidney Cancer
  There is blood in the urine, pain or burning when urinating, frequent or difficult urination, pain in the bladder.
• Prostate Cancer
  Urinating is not smooth, constant pain in the back, penis and thighs.
• Blood Cancer (Leukemia)
  Paleness, chronic fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, easy injury, pain in bones and joints, and nosebleeds.
• Skin Cancer
  The appearance of lumps on the skin that resemble warts (hardened like horns), infections that do not go away, spots that change color and size, pain in certain areas, changes in skin color in the form of spots.

Reason

The cause of cancer is the frequent occurrence of changes from DNA cells to benign tumors, and some eventually become malignant or cancerous tumors. These changes cause cell growth that is very fast and uncontrolled.

In general, several reasons for this to occur can be divided into two, namely:

• Gene mutations that have been present since birth are inherited from parents or are the result of disturbances in the formation of genes before birth.
• Gene mutations after birth caused by smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals, obesity, hormonal effects, long-term inflammation, etc.

Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis will go through several stages. The doctor will conduct a detailed medical interview, then a thorough physical examination according to the type of cancer suspected. In addition, the patient will also undergo supporting examinations such as laboratory, radiology (bone scan, CT scan, MRI, X-ray), and biopsy.

The type of examination performed depends on the type of cancer. After the diagnosis is established, then the doctor will determine the diagnosis, stage, and method of cancer treatment.

Treatment

For cancer sufferers, talking to family and friends can lighten the burden they feel. So, don’t hesitate to share your feelings with those you love and trust.

Suffering from cancer is closely related to financial problems. It is very important to discuss this with the family and the doctor, openly and honestly. Discuss this problem, no need to force to bear it alone.

Stay fit and active. Live normally as usual and always think positively. Try to return to your original activities after chemotherapy, of course, after discussing this with your boss and doctor.

In the end, chemotherapy is a collective effort. Family, relatives, superiors, and colleagues really need to support the process. Under the guidance of a skilled doctor, familiar with cancer patients, and knowledgeable about anticancer drugs and their side effects, patients have the opportunity to live longer. However, success is actually the responsibility of everyone around you, especially your family.

Treatment of cancer also depends on the type or type of cancer suffered, where the cancer came from or the pattern of its spread. The patient’s age, general health condition, and treatment system also affect the cancer treatment process. Treatment that is generally given is through:

• Operation.
• Chemotherapy with drugs.
• Radiotherapy using radiation beams.
• Hormonal therapy to increase endurance.

In general, usually used more than one kind of treatment. For example, surgery is followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and often treatment is used in combination (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy). After that, hormonal and biological therapy is sometimes given as needed.

The main goal of surgery is to remove the cancer as a whole because cancer can only be cured if it has not spread to other places. Meanwhile, chemotherapy and radiation aim to kill cancer cells or stop the growth of cancer cells that are still left behind, or at least slow down the development of new cancer cells.

Thus, cancer can be completely cured through chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Or if the cancer is so advanced, at least the treatment can work to reduce the symptoms.

Prevention