Of all the lifestyle diseases, cancer is the disease that affects most number of individuals. All over the world, the reports of people being affected by cancer have gone up. Some of the common types of cancer include lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, gastrointestinal cancer etc.
Some widely found cancers and their diagnosis
Cancer is the abnormal growth of white blood cells in the body. It could be in a specific part of the body or it could be spread through the body like blood cancer. Generally, when cancer affects a certain part of the body, there is a tumour growth in that part, which tends to be malignant. The cells in that region keep growing abnormally to form a tumour and then it spreads to the nearby areas.
Gastrointestinal or GI cancer is the abnormal growth of tissues in one’s digestive system. Namely, it affects the liver, pancreas, stomach, gall bladder, oesophagus etc. The cause of this cancer is unknown, but it has been attributed to excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, a high animal fat diet, increasing age, obesity. One can suspect cancer if the following symptoms are noted- vomiting or nausea, bloating, blood in stool, abdominal pain and change in bowel habits, like the change in frequency etc. The diagnosis is done through lab tests, biopsies, endoscopy etc.
Lung cancer is also another common form of cancer found among people nowadays. It’s main cause is smoking and chewing tobacco. Lung cancer treatment is generally done through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, although if the cancer is just beginning, like in type I and type II, it may be surgically removed. However, it has been seen that within 5 years of the cancer being removed surgically, it has reoccurred and has spread to other parts. This has been seen in 25 to 40%. This happens because it is not possible to accurately detect about the metastatis in to other parts. Nevertheless, 10 to 35% of the type I cancers are surgically removed.
Treatment and its centers
The treatment for it is done through radiation therapy and chemotherapy.Cancer radiation therapy is the administration of X-Rays, Gamma Rays or Radon by an external machine or it is placed in the affected area directly using a container. The effect of the ray is localised and it works by burning up the cancerous cells. Its side effects include pain, low rate of growth of cells, inflammation of tissues and organs around the area where the radiation has been administered.
Cancer treatment has become quite advanced these days and it is possible to cure it, if detected at a very early stage. There are many cancer treatment centers across the globe, with advanced centers located in Philadelphia, Zion in Illinois, Tulsa in Oklahoma, Good year in Arizona. These centers specialize in oncology and they are equipped with the latest radiation therapy units and other needful equipment. They have an expert team of doctors who are experienced and responsible.
