Cancer: Types, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Cancer is a disease characterized by the presence of continuously dividing cells. Initially localized at a point called a tumor, these cells later distribute throughout the body via the blood or lymphatic system, and eventually result in death. These cells appear as lumps, which, if not detected at its early stages, might lead to a tumor in other parts of the body via the blood and lymphatic system.

Cancer is caused by a number of external or internal stimuli. Various kinds of cancer show their symptoms in different ways. Certain home remedies exist that aim at preventing it, while several others focus on stimulating the activities of the immune system. There are also certain kinds of foods that are beneficial when taken by patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Causes Of Cancer

Cancer can be caused by a number of factors, these include environmental, lifestyle, and other behavioral patterns. Here, we discuss all the major, minor, and common factors that can lead to this deadly condition.

Carcinogens: Carcinogens are cancer-causing substances which include chemicals or physical and biological agents. Although the presence of carcinogens is harmful, it doesn’t mean that every carcinogen may necessarily cause cancer. Other factors like the amount of exposure and genetic background have an equal influence on the development of this condition.

Smoking and tobacco: Smoking and tobacco are enumerated as one of the biggest causes of cancer. They can cause lung, throat, esophagus, bladder, pancreatic, and respiratory tract cancer. Even those people who are indirectly exposed to cigarette smoke are at a risk of it. It is also believed that cigarette smoke is indirectly responsible for kidney, stomach, and liver cancer. Having said that, it’s not exactly tobacco that causes it, but rather the carcinogens or chemicals present in it that may result in cancer. These include nicotine, lead, benzene, carbon monoxide, ammonia, etc.

Diet and Physical Activity: Another cancer-causing factor is a genetically modified diet that has chemical toxins in it. A diet filled with fat, sodium, sugar, etc. can trigger obesity, which can thereby result in cancer. Therefore, it is very important to pay proper attention to what you’re eating and how you’re physically straining yourself to get rid of these toxins.

Radiation from Sun: There are many places where one can be exposed to radiations, like the X-ray machinesmines, etc. But, they are not the most prominent cause of radiation based cancers. Too much exposure to UV rays from the sun can cause skin damage and also lead to skin cancer. This is not to say that the sun is harmful; it just means that too much exposure to anything, even otherwise beneficial to health, can lead to drastic effects on your health.

Viruses and Infections: There are many viruses and diseases that can cause cancer, if not paid proper attention. These include hepatitis B, C, human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr, etc. In developing and underdeveloped regions like Asia and Africa, the risk of parasitic organisms increases; like clonorchis sinensis, Schistosoma haematobium, etc. Therefore, it is important that you live in proper hygienic conditions and drink clean water to avoid these parasites.

Other than the above-mentioned factors, it can also be a result of genetics or hormones. Though, rare, it can also be hereditary.

Types Of Cancer

There are different types of cancer; these include the cancer of the skin, bones, blood, ovaries, pancreas, breast, and more. There are almost as many cancer types as there are organs in our body. So, below we’ve discussed some of the most common ones in detail.

Breast Cancer – This is one of the most common types of invasive cancer in females. It starts off with a malignant tumor either in the lobules or the milkducts. Around 18.5% of the overall breast cancer cases result in death over the globe every year, one of the causes being the eating and lifestyle habits of a person. Symptoms include a visible lump on or around the breast, redness of the breast skin, swelling and pain in the armpit, bloody discharge from the nipples, and change in the texture of nipple.

Lung Cancer – Uncontrolled growth of malignant tissue in the lung is the cause of lung cancer or lung carcinoma. It is the number one cause of death in the US. The biggest cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke, be it passive or direct. Symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, coughing up blood, and more.

Prostate Cancer – Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland of the body, which is only found in men, and therefore only men are affected by this type. Most men with prostate cancer usually go undiagnosed throughout their life, until death. This is due to its very slow progression and rather common symptoms.

Skin Cancer – Skin cancer is caused by a malignant growth of the skin and is also called carcinoma, which means a cancer of outer cover-forming tissues. There are three major types of skin cancers; basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. All these are commonly caused by exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun or tanning beds, radiation from x-ray machines, and immunosuppression as a result of HIV, chemotherapy, and other medications.

Cancer can manifest in a variety of different types based on its origins or mode of cell growth. Some other widely occurring types are as follows:

Leukemia: Cancer of blood-forming cells.

Lymphoma: Cancer of the immune system cells.

Sarcoma: Cancer of the supportive tissues like cartilage and blood vessels.

CNS Cancer: Cancer of the components of the central nervous system like the spinal cord and brain.

How To Identify Cancer: Signs & Symptoms

Cells are induced to divide due to certain external or internal stimuli. In this state, if the growth of cells is localized, detectable, and removable, it is called a benign tumor. A benign tumor can be treated or removed via surgery. However, if the cells have traveled to distant body parts and started their division again, it is a malignant tumor or cancer. This cannot be cured and often ends in the death of an individual.

Cancer has different symptoms in both men and women. They are sometimes clearly visible and other times hard to notice. They include:

In women

  • Any changes in the breast, like the formation of any lumps, nipple discharge, puckering of the breast skin, etc. can be symptoms of breast cancer.
  • Excessive bloating that continues for more than two weeks, accompanied by weight loss and bleeding can be a warning sign of ovarian cancer.
  • Spotting or bleeding between periods, or bleeding after menopause can also be indicators of cancer.

In men

  • Changes in urination, including difficulty in urinating, straining while urinating, blood in urine, etc.
  • Pain and tenderness in the hip bone and lower back.
  • Excessive coughing, without any nose stuffing or fever. Blood in the mucus can also be a symptom of lung cancer.
  • Presence of lumps on the testicles.

Common Symptoms include:

  • Unusual discharge from the body
  • Persistent cough
  • Lumps at the place of tumor
  • Changes in the bladder or bowel movements
  • Slow healing of wounds
  • Indigestion
  • Changes in shape or size of existing moles

Treatments For Cancer

There are many treatments that one can undergo to cure cancer, these include surgery, stem cell transplant, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and more. These treatments for cancer usually vary on the basis of the stage. To prevent its growth, you should also adopt a diet that is rich in antioxidants and has other immunity boosting qualities. Let us discuss them all in detail below.

Radiation Therapy

In this therapy, cancer cells are directly targeted through high doses of radiation. It cures cancer by shrinking the tumor and killing the cancerous cells. However, there are many side-effects of a radiation therapy, which include fatigue, hair loss, changes in skin, nausea, vomiting, etc. A radiation therapy is almost always accompanied by other treatments for the same.

Chemotherapy

Drugs are administered inside the body for this treatment. These drugs may be effective in reducing tumor size and destroying cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given through oral, intravenous, intrathecal, topical, intra-arterial, or intraperitoneal means. It is usually performed in cycles; after one week of chemotherapy, you get a break of three weeks. Chemotherapy too has many side effects, these include loss of hair and appetite, difficulty in eating, nausea, etc. and for which treatment is also given.

Surgery

Surgeries are often used to remove the cancerous tumor from the patient’s body. There are different types of surgeries that are used to rid cancer, which involve anesthesia, scalpels, and other sharp tools to cut through the different body parts and reach the tumor. Other surgeries, where the surgeons are not required to cut, include cryosurgery, lasers, hyperthermia, and photodynamic therapy. They involve the risk of infection and pain.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy treatment helps the immune system fight cancer cells. It makes use of living organisms to treat cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, adoptive cell transfer, cytokines, treatment vaccines, and Bacillus Calmette Guerin are all different types of immunotherapy treatments. It can cause side-effects like pain, swelling, soreness, redness, itchiness, and rashes.

Hormone therapy

This treatment targets at stopping or slowing down the growth of hormones that cause cancer. They can be given orally, through injections or via surgeries. Side effects may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue, a lower sexual appetite, etc.

Other treatments include the use of precision medicine, targeted therapy, etc. Most of the above treatments are used in combination with two or more treatments for effective results.

Though not directly curable, cancer can be prevented by certain precautionary measures and a balanced lifestyle. Once it has begun, it can be slowed down or put into dormancy, but can never be completely eliminated. However, by eating healthy and nutritious food, you can ward off incoming pathogens and activate the immune system to fight against the cancerous cells. Research published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition lists foods to be avoided to reduce the risk of cancer. An additional dietary regime is to be followed as the patient undergoes chemical or radiation therapy as it tends to show various side effects like hair loss and nausea.

Home Remedies For Cancer

Home remedies include consumption of broccoli, grapes, ginseng, myrrh, green tea, aloe vera, lycopene, maitake mushroom, soybeans, and wheatgrass in ether direct or indirect forms.

Broccoli

Broccoli has been found to be beneficial in treating certain kinds of colorectal cancers. It should be taken in the form of sprouts. Broccoli contains certain phytochemicals that have the ability to fight cancer cells, but the exact compound has yet not been identified. These phytochemicals act as antioxidants and contain enzymes that aid in the detoxification of the body.cancerremediesinfo

Grapes

Grapes contain a compound called proanthocyanidins that reduce the body’s estrogen production. This leads to the effective treatment of lung, prostate, colon, and breast cancer.

Ginseng

Ginseng helps in building resistance and fights off infectious agents that seek to damage the body.

Myrrh

Myrrh is an herb with many anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities. It is a good home remedy for the treatment of all kinds of cancer.

Green Tea

Prepare herbal green tea by boiling some leaves in a glass of water until the volume is reduced by half. This has anti-inflammatory properties as well and is very effective against breast, prostate, liver, pancreatic, and skin cancer.

Soybeans

According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, soybeans contain phytoestrogens and several other entities that block cancerous cells from using estrogen. It also contains isoflavones that are needed for the prevention of cancer in its early stages. It can be taken either as sprouts or as cooked vegetables and demonstrates positive prevention against breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer.

Low-carb Diet

Home remedies for cancer also include the intake of a low-carb diet. Findings of a recent study suggest that the intake of a low-carb diet may reduce the risk of colon cancer. Another research suggests that a low-calorie diet may slow down the spread of breast cancer and a diet rich in dairy products may slightly extend lives of people diagnosed with colon cancer.

Wheat Grass

This is known to be advantageous to many cancer patients. Wheatgrass taken in the form of juice or in its raw form is shown to retard the growth of cancer cells as demonstrated by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It has the ability to enhance the immune system and gets rid of toxins and waste products.

Juices

It is an established fact that juices are rich sources of vitamins and nutrients. Freshly obtained juice from fruits like apples, bananas, mangoes, and cherries should be given to cancer patients on a regular basis. This aids in boosting the immune system of the individual, making them strong enough to fight the incoming pathogens.

Aloe Vera

This herb can be consumed raw, in the form of jelly. It is effective against both prostate and lung cancer.

Lycopene

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, lycopene is found in abundant quantities in tomatoes, guava, papayas, grapes, apricots, and watermelon. These antioxidant compounds are even more effective than carotenoids in the removal of free radicals that stimulate cell division. Lycopene is effective in the treatment of prostate, lung, and stomach cancer.

Maitake Mushroom

As per the PDR Health, maitake or “dancing mushrooms” are good for the alternative treatment of cancer. They are known to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They also reduce the side effects of these therapies by preventing hair loss and nausea. They can be consumed raw or grilled as cooking will absorb a lot of the beneficial oils that they contain.

Exercise

Research suggests that exercising an hour daily reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer in women of any age or any weight. Research also suggests that physical activity and a healthy diet may help to reduce the risk of cancer. Exercising outside or in a gym may become difficult at times, breaking your regime, therefore, indoor products like spin bikes are quite useful for getting quick and easy exercise at home.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is known for its health benefits. It also reduces the risk of cancer. A recent research study suggests that hydroxytyrosol, a major component of olive oil, may help prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

It is good to have cucumbers, carrots, bananas, corn, spinach, peas, and lentils if you are a patient suffering from cancer. These can be consumed in soups, which prove to be very nutritious.

According to a recent study, intake of vegetable protein, vegetable fat, dietary fiber, and nuts during adolescence may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Cancer patients are also advised to have lentils or sprouts as they are rich in protein.

It is also advised to cut down on hot dogs, beef, lamb, and pork as they contain a high amount of saturated fats. Eating fewer quantities of red meat would reduce the risk of prostate and colon cancer as well.

 

Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cancer.html

Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.

The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician

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