Know Cancer Better

One of the most serious life-style diseases is cancer. The rising rate of cancer in itself is alarming. Therefore we dedicate our next few articles by bringing facts about this terror. Cancer may be defined as abnormal growth of body cells. It can affect any body organ.

Don’t be amazed if we tell that there are over 100 different types of cancer. There is a difference between tumor and cancer. When cells in our body multiply at a rate that we do not require (neither the rate nor those extra cells) then mass is produced which is called by the name of tumor. These tumors are of two types-Malignant and Benign. Benign tumor does not lead to cancer. It is localized i.e. does not spread to other regions/organs of the body.

Benign tumor can be removed. It is the malignant tumor that is cancerous. Metastasis is due to property of malignant cells to descend upon adjoining cells and organs of the body. It is due to this spreading of malignant cells (metastasis) that gives rise to different organ cancers like cervical cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, etc.

The symptoms of the cancer may not be visible in the first instant. They often appear as symptoms of some other health conditions. For example, persistent cold and blood in cough is common to both early cancer symptoms as well as sinus and bronchitis. Change in bowel pattern or presence of blood in stools are also eye-raisers for cancer. But they also co-inside with diarrhea and hemorrhoids respectively.

Any form of discharge from breast or presence of lumps in breast must not be ignored. Likewise, men must keep regular check on their testicles for any lumps of uncommon appearance.

If you have sores that do not heal, have non-treatable infections in genitals, continuous headaches, regular indigestion despite taking care of habits and consumption of prescribed medication; then you must consult your doctor immediately.