* Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues (Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994). * Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems (Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994). * There are many types of cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and etc. * Most cancers arise from interactions of many causes (Source: Health Today, Treating Cancer Then & Now, Dr Lim Chiao Mei, Aug 2012).
* It is helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancer cells. * It is very important to know about cancer because a cancer diagnosis is difficult to cope with. * When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells (Source: National Cancer Institute: Acrylamide in Food and Cancer Risk; July 29, 2008) * It is necessary that we know that cancer can cause from genetics, tobacco as well as diet and physical activity and the ways to overcome cancer are good dietary, developments in systemic therapies and control body weight. Body 1.
One cause for this disease is from genetics. (Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994) * Cancer is caused by an abnormal gene that is being passed along from generation to generation. * Genes are found on long strands of DNA called chromosomes. * Each chromosome is a collection of genes, strings of chemical material called DNA that control every physical, biochemical and physiologic trait, from hair color to intellect to the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. * When someone has inherited an abnormal copy of a gene, their cells already start out with one mutation.
* That is why cancers that are inherited tend to occur earlier in life than cancers of the same type that are not inherited. 2. Another cause is from tobacco. (Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994) * Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds. * Smokeless tobacco products are a major source of cancer-causing nitrosamines and a known cause of human cancer. (Source: Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010) * In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths; this equals about 443,000 early deaths each year.
(Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2012) * Tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 80% of lung cancer deaths. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2012) * Smoking-related illness can limit a person’s daily life by making it harder to breathe, get around, work, or play. 3. One another cause of cancer is diet and physical activity. (Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994) * Research has shown that poor diet and not being active are 2 key factors that can increase a person’s cancer risk. * Being overweight can increase cancer risk in many ways.
* One of the main ways is that excess weight causes the body to produce and circulate more estrogen and insulin, hormones that can stimulate cancer growth. 4. Good dietary choices can help to overcome cancer. (Source: Health Today, Cancer-fighting, Surina Kunalan, June 2012) * What we should eat and what we should not eat has powerful effects on our health, including the risk of cancer. * Diets in high fiber were believed to decrease the risk of stomach cancer and breast cancer. * Reduce your caloric intake to a level that provides energy needed for daily activities while maintaining a desirable body weight.
* In human body, immune system can fight off cancer cells through an optimal intake of immune-boosting nutrients. * Drink plenty of water to remove waste and toxin, transports nutrients to organs and stimulates the immune system. 5. Another way to fight cancer through developments in systemic therapies. (Source: Health Today, Treating Cancer Then & Now, Dr Foo Yoke Ching, Oct 2011) * According to Dr Foo, the principle behind chemotherapy is to use drugs to destroy cells that are rapidly dividing.
* The use of cytotoxic (toxic to cells) drugs to kill cancer cells has become synonymous with cancer treatment over the last few decades. * Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for tumors, example, nasopharyngeal cancers located behind the nose. * With the introduction of CT technology, as well as improved treatment machines, radiotherapy is now more accurate. * When employing radiotherapy, you need to plot the radiation field accordingly based on Dr Foo’s statement. 6. One another ways to overcome this disease is to control body weight.
(Source: Cancer Free, Philip Bashe, Simon & Schuster, 1994) * Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. * Being overweight or obese increases the risk of several cancers, including those of the breast (in women past menopause), colon and rectum, endometrium (the lining of the uterus), esophagus, pancreas, and kidney, among others. * Being overweight can increase cancer risk in many ways.
One of the main ways is that excess weight causes the body to produce and circulate more estrogen and insulin, hormones that can stimulate cancer growth. Conclusion * Genetics, tobacco, diet and physical activity are the causes as well as good dietary choices, systemic therapies and control body weight are the ways to overcome cancer. * Most people continue to view cancer as a form of genetic lottery when clearly is not. * We should begin to help the society, and each one of us, address the causes of this modern epidemic.