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Cancer – Causes & Prevention

“The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.” – Nikolai Lenin With World Cancer Day observed…
a poster about World Cancer Day
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The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.” – Nikolai Lenin

With World Cancer Day observed each year on February 4th, I thought of sharing the main cancer causes & prevention’s that you and your family can follow to keep this dreaded disease away. Currently, 1 in 4 deaths in the US is due to cancer with lung cancer as the most common cause of cancer-related death in most families. The most common cancers in women in the United States are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer, and common cancers in men are prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.

Let’s start by understanding more about the various causes of cancer & its prevention.

  • What is Cancer?

The cells in the human body are made up of infinite cells, which usually multiply in an organized manner. They multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body does not need them. Cancer occurs when the growth of cells in the body goes out of control and the cell division takes place too quickly, or when the cells ‘forget’ how to die. In short, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body, and these cancerous cells are also known as malignant cells.

  • What are the main causes of cancer? 

With more than 100 various types of cancer, each classified by the type of cell that is initially affected, cancer can develop in any organ or tissue like the breast, skin, lung, colon, nerve tissues, or the bones. The main cancer causes are:

· Low intake of vegetables and fruits.
· Air and water pollution due to chemicals like Benzene, heavy metals, toxic gases or arsenic.
· Excessive sunlight and exposure to UV rays and ionic radiation.
· Unsafe sexual practice.
· Excessive use of alcohol and tobacco.
· Being obese or over weight.
· Genetic problems.
· Physical inactivity.
· Viruses or viral infections due to Hepatitis B, HIV, or HPV.

  • What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

Cancer symptoms depend upon the location and type of cancer. For example, colon cancer often causes constipation, diarrhea, and blood in the stool, while lung cancer gives rise to chest pain, coughing, or shortness of breath. The following symptoms may occur in most cancers:

· Sores that do not heal.
· Blood in stool, urine, and cough.
·Noticeable changes in a mole or wart.
·Any kind of persistent swelling or lump in the body.
·Difficulty in swallowing or persistent indigestion.
·Change in voice and chronic cough.
·Change in bladder and bowel habits.
·Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
·Fever, fatigue, chills, anemia, excessive sweating are a few other symptoms.

  • How can you detect and treat cancer?

Cancer can be detected by using imaging techniques like CT scans, X-rays, PET scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound scans. Cancer treatment depends upon the age, health status, type and stage of cancer and is done via radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, gene therapy, or hormone therapy.

  • How can you prevent cancer?

Getting cancer screenings like colonoscopy for colon cancer, or mammography for breast cancer may help catch these cancers at their initial stages, when most cancers are treatable. You and your family can lessen the risk of getting a cancerous tumor by take these preventive measures:

·Maintain a healthy weight.
·Eat a healthy and nutritious diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and high fibre.
·Limit the intake of alcohol.
·Exercise regularly.
·Avoid chewing tobacco and do not smoke.
·Reduce you exposure to direct sunlight or use sunscreen, hats, and use protective clothing.
·Control occupational hazards.
·Get vaccinated against HPV, HBV.

One of the most inspirational person who continued to overcome the battles of cancer, Lance Armstrong, an American professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer.

He said, “If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up or fight like hell.” Lance Armstrong obviously didn’t give up, and fought with vigor and unstoppable belief in his recovery.

Remember to take care of your family and yourself by getting regular health checks and cancer screening done, and if you are diagnosed, take proper and complete treatment.  Keep your spirits high, as there are many people who have survived fighting cancer, and so can you!

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Disclaimer: We're not offering any medical advice here. These ideas are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always seek a professional medical opinion from a physician of your choosing before making any medical decision. The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute to the advice given by your physician or another healthcare professional.

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  1. Hi Harleena,
    Thank you so much for this informative piece. You presented it well with all needed information on this dreadful disease. The signs, causes, prevention etc
    sometime back i have re-posted some materials i received via my blog pages in this regard, I think that may be of some use to your readers too so i am sharing those here.
    C is for Cancer: Cabbage, Cauliflower and Soursop: Nature’s Wonders (Weapons) Which Kills Cancer and another article under the title YET ANOTHER GREAT ALERT!!! TO ELIMINATE CANCER, THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.

    Best Regards
    Have a happy weekend

  2. I just want to point out that it is very important to get annual physical check ups. A mammogram, colonoscopy, and Prostate Cancer screening which is so very important.

    1. Welcome to the blog Anna!

      Sorry for the late reply – I guess I slipped by this comment, though am glad I am here now. 🙂

      Yes indeed, annual check-ups are a must, and they often turn out to be life savers too.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  3. Be particular and live up your life to the fullest without violating the law of nature and that is to balance up everything and avoid vices and radicals that will cause you a problem in the near future. And advisably be aware of things that might affect you and be conscious on certain things like sudden body changes and even maintain a well stated balance life.

    1. Welcome to the blog Dionesia!

      Yes indeed, I like your advice of living your life to the fullest and avoiding vices of any kind that only add to more problems and sometimes may lead to cancer. I guess early awareness, detection, and early medication – all play a vital role in getting cancer by it’s roots and taking precautions always works best- isn’t it?

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  4. I didn’t know so many causes of cancer! I am shocked to say the least!

    Cancer is probably the toughest word for any person. Yes, there has been medical treatments and coaching; but it remains a battle to be fought against. I recently lost an old neighbor to cancer. Seems that she had it for over two years and it went undetected. It pains me to see such cases. There are so many people that might be just like her, living with their undetected caner; it is a scary thought though. Because for one thing cancer doesn’t have direct symptoms. They are usually mistaken for something smaller.

    But then you see so many brave cancer survivors and it fills you with hope that yes, bravery and courage is possible. This is a very noble cause – to be spreading awareness and knowledge about something that needs to be addressed and dealt with.

    1. Oh yes, cancer IS horrible Hajra!

      I guess I know so many causes for cancer and perhaps many more now, as my mom passed away due to lung cancer and we had to under go a great deal because of that. That was in itself a learning experience about cancer for all of us.

      Sad to hear about the loss of your neighbor. Yes, undetected cancer is the worst, and my mom had just that. In fact she went to the hospital when there was a consistent cough she had for 2 months, but the X-rays showed nothing, nor did all the other kind of tests. And she was given medication for a plain cough and the cancer carried on growing further till it was too late.

      The answer lies in early detection and getting yourself tested once a year after the age of 40 years. Yes, there are many survivors and those who really WILL it to fight it out, and I too marvel at reading about them. It does inspire and motivate people who are dealing with cancer for sure.

      Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

      1. It is a terrible thing. I actually have seen a ten year old having cancer and it is terrible to see him go through so much pain. I feel everyone should be going through a detection – if only it was easier to do it and easily available, we can try our best to just be cautious and hope for the best!

        1. I guess the people who suffer from cancer are the only ones really undergoing the pain, and it’s something we really can’t imagine. Early detection is the only answer for cancer, and that’s the time when something can be done about it. But yes, more awareness and easy accessibility should be there.

          Thanks for contributing to the conversation. 🙂

  5. I found your blog off of a comment on weblogbetter.com and decided to check out your health and fitness section. Both of my parents are cancer survivors; in fact my dad has now been diagnosed with both melanoma and prostate and because of early detection has been successful at defeating both with relative ease. Regular screenings are a must in the battle against cancer, and like you said above, keeping your mindset as positive as possible after a diagnosis becomes paramount in the fight.

    1. Welcome to the blog Dickie!

      I need to thank weblogbetter.com I guess for your visit here! It’s wonderful to learn that both your parents are cancer survivors, which is truly amazing!

      Early detection and quick treatment is the answer for fighting cancer, something that my Mom didn’t get and it was a struggle for her right till the end. However, she was very positive person and the one to always give us hope instead. That’s what made her live on for quite sometime.

      Wishing you and your parents good health. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with everyone 🙂

  6. @web directory Thanks for commenting, and I wish you success in your endeavor to find a cure for cancer !

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