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Cancer

Information about cancer to get rid of the wrong fear of infection

In 2018, 9.6 million people died of cancer, which makes this disease the second in the list of main causes of death. The appearance of cancer cells is affected by bad habits and general health. Further, you will learn what “cancer" is and you will be able to understand the basic myths associated with this disease.

Material content

Causes of cancer

Cancer Myths

What tests are done for early cancer diagnosis?

Cancer stage classification

How cancer is treated at different stages

Causes of cancer

During the transition of ordinary cancer cells to tumor cells, a malignant tumor occurs. This happens gradually, as a result of a multi-stage process. Cell factors are affected by many factors, from eating habits to genetic predisposition. Further you will learn about all the reasons:

• ultraviolet radiation;

• ionizing radiation;

• arsenic;

• smoking;

• infections (HIV, hepatitis B, C);

• aging;

• obesity;

• passive lifestyle;

• industrial emissions;

• heredity;

• weakened immunity;

• alcohol consumption.

The more risks you accumulate (especially those related to lifestyle), the higher the risk of this disease. Proper nutrition and giving up bad habits is not a guarantee of success, but a chance for a healthy life. The development of cancer occurs in the elderly because dangerous substances accumulate in the body and aging cells slow down. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors - 22% of deaths.

Cancer Myths

Some people believe that cancer is transmitted by airborne droplets and that it arises from the prolonged use of mobile phones. It is time to get rid of these myths once and for all.

• Using smartphones leads to cancer cells

For several years now, people have believed that phones irradiate us, which leads to the development of cancer. Yes, there were such concerns, but there is not a single study that confirms this. Not a single scientific work talks about such a phenomenon.

• Cancer is a hereditary disease

If someone from your loved ones suffered a cancer, then the occurrence of it in you is only 5-10%. The remaining 90% is up to you and your lifestyle.

• Cancer gets infected from a sick person

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common myths. Remember that cancer results from a mutation in the body’s cells. The only contagious form of this disease is papilloma virus (HPV). It is he who causes cancer of the penis, rectum, throat and cervix.

• Cancer passes from one organ to another during surgery

This is another myth that often leads to death. People are afraid of the appearance of tumor cells on other organs and therefore refuse operations. You should not be afraid of this, the cancer is not contagious and, accordingly, cannot pass to neighboring organs.

• Use of sugar substitutes causes cancer

Often articles appeared in the media telling that artificial sweeteners lead to the spread of cancer cells - this is a lie. Thanks to research, scientists have recognized this fact as a myth.

• Cancer can be cured by folk remedies

This myth also leads to the death of a large percentage of patients. Do not take risks and try to cure cancer with soda and herbal tinctures. In such a situation, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

• Meat and wine cause cancer

This is a rather controversial myth. If there are a lot of studies that confirm the negative impact of meat and vice versa. As you know, alcohol can become a catalyst for the disease, but wine (which contains resveratrol) in moderate doses inhibits tumors.

• Cancer necessarily leads to death

Yes, this may be true if a person enters the hospital at a late stage or refuses treatment. But, if the patient discovers the disease at an early stage, then there is a chance of recovery.

What tests are done for early cancer diagnosis?

In 95% of cases, a person can be saved by detecting cancer cells at an early stage. Next, you will find out what procedures you will need to go through if you go to the clinic.

• ultrasound

Ultrasound provides detailed information about exactly where the tumor is located. You can also determine the size and structure of the neoplasm.

• Immunodiagnosis

This is one of the latest diagnostic methods that doctors consider a breakthrough in medicine. Today, scientists have proved that there is a certain reaction of the immune system to each type of cancer.

• Radioisotope method

Thanks to the radioisotopes, it is possible to determine the ongoing changes in the body. Also, using this method, violations in the functioning of cells are determined and the location of the tumor is determined.

• Endoscopic diagnosis

In this case, tissue is taken for research. Also, a check of the mucous organ. This diagnosis has several subspecies: gastroscopy, laparoscopy, cystoscopy and colonoscopy.

• Biopsy

A biopsy is carried out without fail to confirm the presence of cancer cells. During this procedure, tissue biomaterial is diagnosed. A biopsy also makes it possible to determine the nature of the tumor: whether it is benign or malignant.

• Positron emission tomography

It is also one of the innovative methods based on the use of radioactive substances. With the help of this type of tomography, the anatomical features of tissues and organs are studied, and their activity is also determined. Also, this method allows you to determine the stage of cancer and the presence of metastases.

• Magnetic resonance imaging

This method is characterized by high accuracy, as well as the ability to obtain an accurate image of the patient’s tissues and organs. Magnetic resonance imaging is safe and eliminates the use of x-rays.

• Oncomarkers

Cancer cells infect any organs and tissues. Unfortunately, some tumors do not make themselves felt for a long period of time. With the development of the disease, certain changes occur in the body, which can be determined using tumor markers. These are tests that detect cancer at an early stage. Each tumor marker corresponds to different types of cancer.

Cancer stage classification

There are 5 stages of cancer, each of which has its own characteristics and certain consequences.

• Zero stage of cancer

In principle, this stage does not exist, but many scientists distinguish it. Zero stage characterizes non-invasive tumors. The plus is that at this level, cancer cells do not spread beyond the boundaries of the epithelium, where the neoplasm occurred. In this case, the cancer is 100% curable, especially with early detection.

• The first stage of cancer

At the first stage, a tumor node appears, but there is no metastasis and damage to the lymph nodes. Most often, the disease is detected at this stage, which cannot but rejoice. In this case, a full recovery is also possible provided that treatment is started at the right time.

• The second stage of cancer

At this stage, tissue damage and the spread of metastases are already occurring. Often the presence of cancer cells is detected at this stage. You can’t say exactly about the success of treatment, because medical procedures depend on the characteristics of the tumor and its location. But, there are many cases of recovery.

• Third stage of cancer

In the third stage, an active process of the spread of cancer cells occurs, which affects not only tissues, but also organs. At this stage, you can completely determine the presence of metastases, but the plus is that they do not reach distant places, so the result can be positive. An important role is played by the location of the tumor and the health status of the patient. In the third stage, cancer develops into a chronic disease that can still be cured.

• Fourth stage of cancer

This is one of the most serious and disappointing stages. The tumor significantly increases in size and affects the tissue. There is also the presence of metastases on the organs. This group includes rapidly developing tumors. At this stage, cancer becomes a chronic disease that cannot be treated, only remission is possible.

How cancer is treated at different stages

Treatment depends on the location of the tumor, its stage and the patient’s health status. Specific methods are prescribed by the doctor individually for each patient. The following treatment methods are general in nature.

• Zero stage

This is the most "safe stage", so treatment leads to a favorable result. At this stage, surgery and hormone therapy are used.

• The first stage

At this stage, cancer develops precisely at the cellular level, which affects changes throughout the body. In this case, you can remove the tumor, but for this you need to know exactly whether surgical intervention is possible. Another treatment option is radiation therapy. In the presence of a small tumor, only partial radiation is used, thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to treat even small areas of the body. The advantage of such procedures is that they do not damage healthy tissues.

• Second and third stages

These stages are closely intertwined, so you should pay attention to their treatment options. It is the integrated approach that works best. First of all, the neoplasm is removed with the help of surgical intervention, and after that the doctors use chemotherapy. Its use is common precisely in the case of the third stage. For the second stage, radiation therapy is relevant, which copes with small tumors and destroys metastases.

• Fourth stage

At this stage, chemotherapy is applied, which acts on cancer cells with the help of cytotoxic, hormonal, antihormonal agents and immune preparations. Antitumor antibiotics are also used. These drugs slow down cell growth. A new treatment is neutron therapy. With its use, neutrons penetrate the infected tissue of the tumor and destroy them. Most often, this method is used at earlier stages, but even in the fourth, positive results are known.

Now you know what you need to know about cancer and how treatment occurs. Pay attention to the causes to protect yourself. Also, do not forget that timely access to the clinic is a chance for recovery.