What Are the Types of Leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and increases the growth of the white and red blood cells at an abnormal rate. The Leukemia cells multiply rapidly and crowd out the other cells present in the bone marrow.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and increases the growth of the white and red blood cells at an abnormal rate. The Leukemia cells multiply rapidly and crowd out the other cells present in the bone marrow. After a while, the Leukemia cells flood out of the bone marrow and spread into the bloodstream, which increases the number of WBC in the bloodstream abnormally.
As soon as it ends up in the bloodstream, it can quickly spread among the other organs of the body and hinder their normal functioning capability. Leukemia can be differentiated into several different types, and knowing the type from which the patient is suffering, helps the doctor frame the treatment planning accordingly. Read ahead to learn more about the types of Leukemia, their symptoms, causes, and possible treatment options.
Types Of Leukemia That Commonly Affect People
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Description: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) often occurs in children under 15 or in adults above 45. It is one of the most common forms of Leukemia that occurs in kids, especially between the ages of 2-4.
Symptom: The symptoms of ALL are often similar to flu, and it usually includes weakness, fatigue, fever, and body aches. Some of the other probable symptoms are easy bleeding of gums and nosebleeds.
Cause: Acute lymphocytic Leukemia happens when a mutation occurs in the genetic material or DNA of the bone marrow. But it is still uncertain what pushes the DNA to mutate and further leads to abnormal changes.
Treatment: The treatment schedule of a patient suffering from ALL often includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy with stem cell transplant, or immunotherapy. Considering the stage of cancer and several other factors such as age and medical history, the doctor will follow the treatment method that suits your condition the most.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Description: Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, this Leukemia type affects a specific type of white blood cells referred to as the myeloid cells. It develops rapidly and often attacks the red blood cells or platelets too. The number of Leukemia cells often outnumbers the healthy blood cells and renders its normal functioning ability. As it affects the blood, this form of cancer has the ability to spread to other organs and parts of the body as well.
Symptom: Some of the major symptoms of AML are fever, frequent infections, and anaemia.
Cause: Like all other Leukemia types, acute myelogenous Leukemia develops when a mutation occurs in the DNA/genetic material of the bone marrow. But the reasons behind these changes are still not found yet.
Treatment: The major treatment procedures for acute myelogenous Leukemia are remission induction therapy and consolidation therapy. From the disease's subtypes, the patient's age and several other factors are considered before framing a treatment plan for a person suffering from this particular type of Leukemia.
Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia
Description: This is a slow-growing Leukemia type that develops in the lymphocytes of the bone marrow and slowly spreads into the blood and further into the different organs of your body.
Symptom: The probable symptoms include enlargement of the lymph nodes of the neck, underarm, abdomen, or groin, fatigue, and weakness. There are several other symptoms like night sweats and fever, but it varies highly from person to person.
Cause: Same as other types of cancer, even this type of Leukemia is caused by mutations in the cells' DNA/genetic materials present in the bone marrow. However, why the mutations are caused is yet unknown.
Treatment: There is a varied range of treatment options such as targeted drug therapy, bone marrow transplant, and chemotherapy, and the doctors choose the most suitable one according to the patient's condition.
Chronic myeloid Leukemia
Description: This type of Leukemia is quite different from the ones discussed so far as it is an abnormal chromosome; the Philadelphia chromosome has shown an association with CML.
Symptom: The primary symptoms of CML include easy bleeding, fever, loss of appetite, and night sweat.
Cause: Chronic myeloid Leukemia occurs when specific changes occur in the genes present in the bone marrow cells. The reason behind these changes is still uncertain as it is based on many unknown factors.
Treatment: The treatment procedures of cancer are often similar ones, and the most suitable one according to the patient's condition is recommended by the doctor.
Conclusion
There is no way that anyone can prevent cancer from developing in their bodies. Nor can we manage to take precautions as the causes are still not found by scientists and experts. The only available option is to consult with a doctor (Oncology) as soon as you detect certain unusual changes or issues in your body before it gets out of our hands. When it comes to cancer such as Leukemia the early detection is the difference between life and death.
Skin Cancer: Causes, Stage, Diagnosis & Treatment
There are various types of skin cancer that have become quite prevalent these days. While some may develop in areas exposed to the sun, others might affect the most unexpected places. Skin cancer or the abnormal development of skin cells can be of different types, and each of them shows a varied range of symptoms.
There are various types of skin cancer that have become quite prevalent these days. While some may develop in areas exposed to the sun, others might affect the most unexpected places. Skin cancer or the abnormal development of skin cells can be of different types, and each of them shows a varied range of symptoms. You can reduce the risk of skin cancer by avoiding direct exposure to UV radiation. Read ahead to learn more about skin cancer as we are going to discuss here the probable causes, stages of skin cancer, the diagnosis areas, and the treatment methods.
Causes
Mutation in the DNA of skin cells is the primary cause of skin cancer as the cells grow uncontrollably and form lumps of cancer cells. The outermost skin layer is called the epidermis, which is the main area that initially gets affected by cancer.
The role of this epidermis layer is to offer a protective shield to the skin cells of the body, and skin cancer often hinders the functional capability of the epidermis. Most of the DNA damage in the skin cells occurs due to the harmful radiation of the sunlight.
Certain areas are not exposed to the sunrays in any way but still do get affected with skin cancer. That signifies that there are several other factors except for UV radiation which leads to skin cancer but is yet to be detected by the experts.
Stages
Cancer often attacks a small portion of the body but keeps reproducing rapidly, which further lets it spread in other areas of the body if it is not detected early. There are several benefits of staging cancer; doctors use it to understand the cancer type vividly with the help of these stages.
Even though the effect of cancer varies from person to person, the treatment planning often ends up being identical in the case of the same-stage cancer diagnosis. A TNM classification system is a tool that doctors use to stage different varieties of cancer.
It involves mainly three points: tumor size and its depth into the skin, the lymph node involvement, and whether cancer has spread to any other portions of the body. Usually, the cancers are staged from 0 to 4, where the lower number denotes the least affect/spread of cancer and stage 4 refers to be the most advanced state where cancer has spread into several organs of the body.
The further detailing of the stages differs based on the skin type where cancer has been affected.
Diagnosis
The first steps which are followed for determining whether you are affected with cancer are:
Examination of the skin: A doctor might examine the outer layer of the skin to spot any signs, which might give an idea if further testing is required or not.
Removal or collection of a sample of suspicious skin for biopsy: An expert will collect a part of suspicious skin for testing in a process called a biopsy. It is the most beneficial method to find out whether you have skin cancer and if yes, it will further determine the type and several other factors about it.
Determining the stage: If you have cancer, the doctor will conduct several other tests such as imaging tests to detect the type and the places where it has spread. The cancer staging will further allow doctors to chalk out the suitable treatment methods that will be most fruitful in removing cancer from your body.
Treatment
Small skin cancers quite often do not demand further tests more than a biopsy, after which the complete growth is removed from the skin. However, if a person needs other treatment options, the following methods are incorporated within the treatment procedure.
Freezing: The early skin cancer types are frozen with the usage of liquid nitrogen, and the dead tissues shed off once it thaws.
Excisional surgery: This method is helpful for almost all types of cancer where an extra layer of healthy skin is also removed along with the affected area.
Mohs Surgery: This procedure is applied to those areas which are difficult to treat or are affected on a large area.
Curettage and electrodesiccation or cryotherapy: In this method, after successfully removing a significant portion of cancer growth, the left out portion is scraped out using a sharp object.
Radiation therapy: It uses high-energy radiation for killing cancer cells. This method is used in those cases where surgery could not eliminate cancer from the body completely.
Photodynamic therapy: A combination of drugs and laser light is used to make the cancer cells sensitive to light, and it is further destroyed with the help of the light rays.
Biological therapy: It uses the immune system of the body for killing cancer cells.
Ending Note
Early detection helps to start treating cancer at an early stage which increases the chances of recovery. Therefore, it is the best choice to consult a doctor (Oncology) as soon as you notice specific unusual changes in your skin.
Leukemia: Symptoms, Types, Causes & Treatments
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells present in the bone marrow. There are several types of Leukemia, of which some affect children, and the rest occurs in adults. Cancer is often referred to as the uncontrollable growth of cells, which can develop at any part of the body.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells present in the bone marrow. There are several types of Leukemia, of which some affect children, and the rest occurs in adults. Cancer is often referred to as the uncontrollable growth of cells, which can develop at any part of the body. But when it comes to Leukemia, the abnormal growth of cells happens in the bone marrow.
The bone marrow produces an abnormal or excessive amount of white blood cells, which stops its functioning property in the usual way. There are several types of Leukemia, and some types can be highly complex to understand. Let's discuss the different types of Leukemia, the various symptoms it shows, and the treatment methods used to treat Leukemia.
Symptoms
In the early stages of certain Leukemia types, there can be no such signs at all. The symptoms of Leukemia differ from person to person, and the symptoms also depend on the person's age.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
Fever or sudden chills
Fatigue
Bleeding excessively and easily
Joint pains or pains in the bones
Vomiting
Headaches
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
Tiny red spots on the skin
Nosebleeds
Swollen lymph nodes and enlargement of liver or spleen
Excessive sweating at night
If you are having one or two of the symptoms mentioned above, it is not necessary that your body is affected by Leukemia. It can be the result of some other disease or side effects of medication as well. That is why it is more helpful to consult an expert before coming to an uncertain conclusion.
Causes
There is no scientific explanation behind the cause of Leukemia in a person. The person getting affected by it might have an unusual set of a chromosome or some health conditions. But by considering certain cases, scientists have concluded that an amalgamation of several environmental and genetic factors can lead to the development of Leukemia in a person.
Types
The classification of Leukemia is done by two methods. While some are divided based on the speed of growth, the other types are differentiated based on the types of cells involved.
The speed of Leukemia growth:
Acute Leukemia
Chronic Leukemia
The cell type:
Lymphocytic Leukemia
Myelogenous Leukemia
The major types of Leukemia are:
Acute lymphocytic Leukemia: (ALL) is one of the most common types of Leukemia, affecting children and adults in most cases. It might spread across the central nervous system and lymph nodes.
Acute myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is the second most frequent form of childhood Leukemia and one of the most common ones among adults. It creates problems in the production of new white and red blood cells as well as platelets.
Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia: (CLL) develops among adults, and some of its kinds might not need treatment for a long time, while some demand an immediate course of treatment. This type of cancer affects a type of white blood cells known as the B cells.
Chronic myelogenous Leukemia: (CML) develops mainly in people aged 65 or above. It often does not show any such symptoms and gets detected randomly during a routine blood test.
Some other rare types of Leukemia are Hairy cell Leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndromes, and Myeloproliferative disorders.
Treatment
The treatment procedure often depends on several factors, such as the type of Leukemia the patient is suffering from, how far it has spread in the body, and whether they have any other health conditions.
The main methods of treatment are:
Chemotherapy: This is the most common method for treating Leukemia. In chemotherapy, drugs are injected into a vein or muscle or into the fluid present around the spinal cord. In some cases, the patient needs to consume it as a pill as well. This process kills the cancer cells of the blood as well as of the bone marrow.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment method uses strong radiation beams to destroy the Leukemia cells, which will further repress their growth.
Biological Therapy: Also known as Immunotherapy, certain drugs are injected into the body to boost the immunity system, which will further help fight Leukemia.
Targeted Therapy: This method uses certain medicines to destroy specific targeted features of Leukemia cells.
Stem cell transplant: Also referred to as bone marrow transplant or hematopoietic cell transplant, this method replaces the cancerous cells that have been killed due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy with healthy stem cells collected from a donor.
Ending Note
There are no such options to prevent Leukemia from affecting a person. Therefore, the best chance to stay healthy and fit is by consulting with a doctor from time to time and going through complete checkups at regular intervals.
Learn About Cancer Types & Our Treatment Options
There are more than 200 types of cancer that affect people of all ages all around the world. It can be pretty overwhelming to choose the appropriate treatment option when you are suffering from deadly disease like cancer. While some are treatable, others might not even give time to realize what is going on.
There are more than 200 types of cancer that affect people of all ages all around the world. It can be pretty overwhelming to choose the appropriate treatment option when you are suffering from deadly disease like cancer. While some are treatable, others might not even give time to realize what is going on. With the development of the healthcare industry, a varied range of treatment options are available these days, and in most cases, the life tenure of the patient can be increased up to a certain number of years.
Even though it is still grim and, in some instances, cancer can not be cured, these small steps that are available today were not possible just decades ago. So, let’s dive in deeper to get a brief idea about the types of cancer and the various kinds of treatment methods that are accessible these days.
Types of Cancer
Cancer is often referred to as the uncontrollable growth of cells in any part or organ of the body. There are more than 200+ known cancer types, among which a bunch of them are still not identified yet. Some of the major types of cancer that commonly affects people are mentioned below:
Carcinoma: This is the most common type of cancer which starts at the skin or tissue, therefore the outer cover of the internal organs. There are several subtypes which include basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma.
Sarcoma: The cancers which develop on the supportive tissues such as bone, fat, muscles, blood vessels, or cartilage are referred to as sarcoma. Some of the major ones are osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.
Lymphoma and myeloma: This type of cancer typically develops in the lymphatic system of the body, which includes the glands and tubes of the body that are supposed to filter the body fluids and fight infections and other diseases. Some of the main types are T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and lymphoproliferative lymphoma.
Leukemia: The cancers that affect the blood-forming tissues, such as the white blood cells present in the bone marrow, and lead to a sudden increasing growth of abnormal blood cells are referred to as leukemia. Some of the different kinds of leukemia are acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, T-cell leukemia, and hairy leukemia.
Central nervous system cancers: The cancers that occur in the brain and simal cord of the body are known as central nervous system cancers. The varied range of this type of cancer is gliomas, brain, and spinal cord tumours, meningiomas, vestibular, pituitary adenoma, primary CNS lymphomas, schwannomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumours.
Treatment options for treating cancer
The treatment method depends solely on the cancer type and upon several other factors such as age, other health issues, and the cancer stage at which it was detected.
While some people go through a particular type of treatment procedure, others might have to opt for a combination of several ones. Here are some of the most helpful treatment options that are used to treat patients suffering from cancer.
Chemotherapy: This is one of the most common methods of treating cancer, where anticancer drugs are used to kill the cancer cells.
Hormone therapy: Cancers developing in specific organs such as the breast and prostate use hormones to grow further. This kind of treatment is used for treating those cases of cancer, and hormone therapy is used to either stop or slow down the growth of the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: Cancer cells are killed with radiation with the usage of this treatment procedure.
Stem cell transplant: Healthy stem cells are restored in cancer patients from donors after they go through a high dosage of radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Surgery: Surgery is typically used in those patients where cancer can be entirely eliminated by removing a specific portion or organ of the body.
Targeted Therapy: This therapy is used to treat a particular characteristic of cancer cells that helps them multiply, divide, and spread to other areas of the body.
Ending Note
Depending on the type of cancer you are suffering from, the oncologist will plan the treatment procedure most suitable for your body. While there are no preventive measures that can be followed to stay away from this deadly disease, several risk factors can be avoided for staying on the safe side. Staying away from tobacco consumption and alcohol is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe from certain types of cancer.
Blood Cancer: Causes, Stages, Diagnosis & Treatment
Cancer affects many people of varying age groups worldwide. Previously the treatment procedure was not effective enough for most cancer types, but slowly the development in the healthcare industry is bringing in several notable changes in the treatment and diagnosis of various cancer types.
Cancer affects many people of varying age groups worldwide. Previously the treatment procedure was not effective enough for most cancer types, but slowly the development in the healthcare industry is bringing in several notable changes in the treatment and diagnosis of various cancer types.
Cancer leads to millions of deaths every year in India and many other countries in the world. One of the major types of cancer that has a very high rate of fatality is blood cancer. When someone is suffering from blood cancer, their complete functioning and production process of blood gets affected by cancer. This type of cancer often originates in the bone marrow and disturbs the whole blood flow process as it is a vital source of blood production.
In the case of blood cancer, the growth of an abnormal blood cell disrupts the development and production of the three main types of blood cells: RBC, WBC, and platelets. The cancerous blood cells hamper the normal functioning of blood, and hence it fails to prevent blood loss or fight against infections and leads to the failure of its primary functions.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Blood cancer are:
Weakness and fatigue
Excessive or easy bruising
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
Anorexia
Pains in different areas of the body
Fever
Bleeding gums
These are just a handful of the symptoms. But there are several other ones. Even if you have more than one symptom, you might not be affected by blood cancer. If you show the symptoms for an extended period of time and face any difficulty, you must consult a doctor and go for a thorough checkup.
Causes
The specific reason behind cancer is still not found, but here are some probable causes of blood cancer.
Family History
Weak Immune system
Aging
Effects of an infection
These causes all have different probabilities of affecting any person; however, if you have a family history of cancer, are aging, or are ailing from an infection. It is essential to be wary of your condition and keep your symptoms in check to diagnose your cancer in the first stage itself.
Stages
The different stages of any kind of cancer are broken down into several parts on the basis of metastasis. The four main stages of blood cancer are:
Stage 1: The first stage of blood cancer often incorporates the enlargement of the lymph nodes. It happens mainly because of the sudden rise in the number of lymphocytes.
Stage 2: The second stage of blood cancer leads to the enlargement of either the spleen, liver or lymph nodes. Not all three of them are necessarily affected at the same time interval, but cancer spreads in at least one of these organs in this stage as the growth of lymphocytes is at a high peak in this stage.
Stage 3: The development of Anaemia is the primary concern at the third stage, and all the previously mentioned organs still remain enlarged.
Stage 4: The fourth stage is often referred to as the last stage as the risks are optimum at this point, and the blood platelets rate starts to decrease rapidly. The state of Anaemia turns out to be more acute, and several other organs along with lungs start getting affected.
Diagnosis
There are several blood test options for the proper detection of blood cancer. Along with the tests, biopsy, bone marrow exam or imaging such as PET scan, CR scan, and chest X-ray plays a crucial role too.
Depending on the results of these tests, the doctor will be able to diagnose the blood cancer type successfully, which will further allow him to frame the appropriate treatment procedure.
Treatment
The treatment process depends on several factors such as age, fitness level, and the presence of other diseases in the patients' body. Besides that, the type of cancer and the diagnosis stage also play a vital role in deciding the right treatment option.
The main aim of treating blood cancer is to eradicate the disease to the maximum point. The standard treatment procedures include a certain range of processes such as Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Targeted therapies, Stem cell transplantation, Cancer Surgery, and Immunotherapy.
Besides all these, bringing in specific lifestyle changes and dietary improvements is also crucial to ensure a faster and smooth pathway for recovery. Using tobacco alcohol or not being physically active enough can often deteriorate the patient's condition even after the application of the right treatments.
Ending Note
There is no such way to prevent someone from getting affected by cancer. The only precaution which is possible to take is to opt for occasional blood tests and complete checkups, which will allow you to find out about your health conditions on time.
How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early?
Cancer is one of the most dreadful diseases known to humanity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer ranks second in the world among the leading causes of death. When cells of our organs or tissues start to divide uncontrollably, and the malignancy spreads to other body parts, the resulting disease is called cancer.
Cancer is one of the most dreadful diseases known to humanity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer ranks second in the world among the leading causes of death. When cells of our organs or tissues start to divide uncontrollably, and the malignancy spreads to other body parts, the resulting disease is called cancer. It is a disease that can affect almost any organ or tissue within an individual's body. Normal cells of the body transform into cancerous neoplastic cells induced by some carcinogenic agents. X-Ray, Gamma Ray, UltraViolet Radiation cause DNA damage which leads to neoplastic transformation. Lung Cancer is caused due to tobacco smoke.
Cancer is a serious threat to everyone, and it should not be taken lightly. Cancer is a terminal disease that can affect people at any age. This is why to stay safe; you must follow these eight critical steps to prevent the formation of cancer in your body.
8 Important Steps To Follow For Cancer Prevention
● Avoid Tobacco
Using tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer. There is evidence that smoking causes various types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney. Those who chew tobacco are at a greater risk of cancers in the oral cavity and pancreas. Even secondary smoking increases your risk of lung cancer. Never smoking or changing your habit of using tobacco is essential in protecting yourself from cancer.
● Maintain a healthy diet
Consuming nutritious foods and maintaining a balanced healthy diet can reduce your risk. Keep many fruits and green vegetables on your diet because they are rich in fibre and nutrients and contain low-fat levels. You should also limit your processed and red meats consumptions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that eating a lot of processed meat increases your cancer risk.
● Maintain a Healthy BMI
Being overweight is harmful to your health as it not only puts you at risk of cancer, but it also puts you at risk of a bunch of other diseases. According to some research, fat cells release substances that promote the growth of cancer cells. Therefore it is better to choose low-calorie foods and also control your sugar intake. This will help you maintain a healthy BMI and prevent diseases such as cancer.
● Be physically active
Exercise helps to reduce some hormone levels like estrogen and insulin. As a result, it keeps you healthy and lowers your risks of diseases like breast, prostate, lung, colon, and kidney cancer. At least 30 minutes of exercise each day is recommended, but more is even better. Even on a busy schedule, it is advised to exercise lightly whenever possible.
● Don't overindulge in alcohol.
Limit your alcohol consumption. Drinking excessively increases your cancer risk. Cancers of the breast, colon, lung, kidney, and liver can occur due to high alcohol consumption. Moderation is important even when you drink. Alcohol has other negative impacts on your health as well, so it is crucial that you understand the risks involved and avoid alcohol as much as possible.
● Ensure enough Sun Protection
One of the most common types of cancer is skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause damage to your skin, which often leads to skin cancer. You should avoid sun exposure as best possible during the day because, during this time, the sun rays are the strongest. While staying outdoors, seek shade, use sunglasses and hats as much as possible. You should wear loose-fitting clothes that cover the majority of your skin. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Apply sunscreen generously all over your exposed areas, and never forget to reapply after excessive sweating or swimming. These practices can help you reduce your risk of skin cancer.
● Proper Vaccination
Hepatitis B increases the risk of liver cancer. So proper vaccination is required. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a disease that is transmitted sexually. It increases the chance of cervical cancer as well as other genital cancer. Therefore HPV vaccination is necessary to prevent such cases.
● Avoid risks
Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, HPV increase your odds of having cancer. Those with HIV or AIDS are at a greater risk of lung cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer. Never share needles, blades, razors, or other personal items because they can infect you with HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C and lead to liver cancer.
How Can You Detect Early Signs of Cancer?
When you detect cancer early, in most cases, it lowers the chances of the spread of cancer and the condition becoming potentially fatal. There are many screening tests for various types of cancer.
● Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy: With these tests' help, abnormal colon growths (polyps) can be detected and removed before cancer develops.
● Low-dose helical computed tomography: This test is used as a screening device for lung cancer.
● Mammography: A screening test for breast cancer among women.
● Pap test: Screening test to identify cervical cancer.
Regular screening tests can increase the chances of discovering cancer early and provides treatment with a fair chance to be successful. Ask your doctor for the details and schedule your tests.
Breast Cancer: Causes, Stage, Diagnosis & Treatment
Breast cancer has been affecting women of all ages around the world for years. Even though it is not that men do not get affected by it, the chances of getting affected by breast cancer are more prominent among women.
Breast cancer has been affecting women of all ages around the world for years. Even though it is not that men do not get affected by it, the chances of getting affected by breast cancer are more prominent among women. Over the years, the healthcare industry has witnessed several major changes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and that has definitely reduced the death rates from breast cancer highly.
When the growth and division of cells inside the breast tend to get out of control, it often leads to breast cancer. Cancer can occur either on the lobules, ducts or in the fatty tissues present within the breast. The cancer cells often capture the other healthy breast tissues and end up reaching the lymph nodes present under the arms. These nodes offer the fundamental roadway that allows or rather helps the cancer cells in moving to the other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Some of the most common breast cancer symptoms are:
● Breast pain
● A lump or tissue thickening in or near the breast
● Change in color of the skin near the nipples
● Change in size or shape of the breast
● Bloody discharge or any other nipple discharge
● Redness of the breast skin or nipples
● Inverted nipple
If you are having any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it does not really mean that you are having breast cancer. It can be a random breast lump or even a benign cyst. However, if you have any of the symptoms it is highly advisable to consult a doctor.
Causes
There are no proper findings yet which can state a clear reason behind developing breast cancer. From age, family history to genetic factors, and diet, everything can be a reason for increasing the risks of having breast cancer. The development of breast cancer often starts in the innermost lining of milk ducts or in some cases the lobules which can further spread to different other parts of the body.
Stages
The cancer stages are determined by considering a number of factors. Starting from the type of tumor to whether it has spread to the lymph nodes and further to the other parts of the body or not. Staging also does help the doctor to get a clear picture of the chances of recovery and what course of treatment should be followed. Here is the description of the stages which are normally followed by the majority of the experts.
Stage 0: Commonly referred to as the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) which means that the cancerous cells are present only within the ducts and have not spread on the surrounding tissues.
Stage 1: Normally, a tumor measures up to 2 cm when it is detected at this stage. Either it has not affected the lymph nodes yet or just a small group of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
Stage 2: The tumor can be anything between 2-5 cm when in this stage. It has either spread in the nearest nodes or has not reached the lymph nodes yet.
Stage 3: The tumor has either spread to the lymph nodes and is 5 cm now or is of a larger size than 5 cm and has spread over a handful of lymph nodes.
Stage 4: The cancerous cells have already reached distant organs which can be either be of the bones, liver, brain, or lungs or in some cases it has affected all of the mentioned organs.
Diagnosis
Most breast cancers are found during a routine checkup or in some instances, the patient might also approach the doctor after facing certain troubles or pain.
Breast exam: The doctors check the breasts to detect a lump or any other possible symptoms.
Imaging Tests: There are several types of tests that assist in the detection of breast cancer.
● Mammogram: This is one type of X-ray that allows the doctor to go through images that can detect any kind of lumps or abnormalities present in the breasts. This test is done mainly during the initial breast cancer screening process.
● Ultrasound: A doctor uses sound waves to differentiate a solid mass from that of a fluid-filled cyst.
● MRI: Doctors usually opt for this as a follow-up of mammograms or ultrasounds for screening the patients who are having higher risks of breast cancer.
● Biopsy: A doctor generally extracts a sample tissue and sends it for laboratory tests in order to find out whether the cells are cancerous or not. If it is cancer, the biopsy also does state the types of cancer as well as whether it is hormone-sensitive or not.
Treatment
Cancer’s stage, size of the tumor as well as how far it has invaded, all of it is considered for finding out the right treatment procedure.
The method of surgery is the most common for treating breast cancers. There are several types of it which are used by the personal preference of the patient and also by considering the type of cancerous tumor. The different types of surgery are lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, axillary lymph node dissection, and reconstruction.
Some of the other main treatment options include radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
13 Foods That Could Lower Your Risk of Cancer
There is a popular phrase that says, “You are what you eat,” which means if you want to be healthy, you have to be mindful of what you are eating and preferably eat good food. Maintaining good food habits are crucial for your health as it can help you prevent serious ailments like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases.
There is a popular phrase that says, “You are what you eat,” which means if you want to be healthy, you have to be mindful of what you are eating and preferably eat good food. Maintaining good food habits are crucial for your health as it can help you prevent serious ailments like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases. Cancer, especially, is one of the diseases that diagnosis has shown affects people with poor dietary practices.
To avoid the risk of cancer, you should avoid alcohol, processed meats, and red meat. However, it is sometimes not possible to completely eliminate these food items from your diet. It is, however, advisable to eat certain foods that can help you lower your risk for cancer.
13 Foods That Can Lower Your Cancer Risk
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. Consuming a healthy amount of carrots can help you improve your cancer risk factor. In particular, carrots protects you against stomach cancer. Research has shown that carrots have reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 26%.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that has sulforaphane which is a compound that can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that consuming a good amount of broccoli can reduce the risk and size, and spread of breast cancer cells by up to 75%. The study in question was a test-tube study.
Beans
Beans are an essential part of your diet in many cultures, beans are filled with fibre, and they are suitable for your diet in general. One of the lesser-known benefits of consuming enough beans is that it has shown effectiveness in reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an important spice that has a plethora of health benefits. It has been scientifically noticed that cinnamon has effects in reducing the spread of cancer cells in your body. A test-tube study has been able to confirm the claim as mentioned above.
Berries
Berries naturally contain anthocyanins, an antioxidant compound that has been noticed to reduce cancer risk. Studies have shown people with colorectal cancer that consumed bilberry extracts for seven days showed a reduction in the spread of the cancer cells.
Nuts
Nuts have been proven to reduce the risk of fatality of certain types of cancer. Nuts are particularly effective in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer as well. Especially colorectal, endometrial, and pancreatic cancer.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice that has noted health benefits when consumed in correct amounts has good antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have shown that turmeric, especially the compound curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, helps reduce the spread of colon cancer cells.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has many health benefits, which is why it is a part of the staple diet in many cuisines. Multiple studies have shown that high amounts of consumption of olive oil can reduce the possibility of breast cancer. Olive oil can be easily added to your diet, so make sure to add it to your diet for its health benefits.
Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are rich in healthy fats, and they can be a very healthy part of your diet. It has shown significant results in a study in preventing and decreasing the growth of cancer cells. In various cases, it has been noticed that having a healthy amount of flaxseeds in your diet can kill cancer cells in your body as well.
Citrus Fruits
Various studies conducted by medical professionals worldwide have found that citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit have been linked to having a lower risk of cancer. Mainly the studies have found that having a few servings of citrus fruits each week helps to reduce the risk of cancers in the upper respiratory tract and digestive system. But, citruses are in no way involved in the development of cancer.
Fatty Fish
Fishes are rich in Omega-3, and adding them to your diet is an excellent option for you to lower your cancer risk for certain types of cancer. The healthy fats in fish have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer in the digestive tract. Fishes also are rich in vitamin D, which also has plenty of health benefits.
Garlic
Garlic has an active ingredient called allicin which has been shown to be able to kill cancer cells. These results have been found in test tube studies. The consumption of garlic has a direct correlation to the risk of certain types of cancer. Garlic has especially been effective against prostate cancer.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are red in colour because of a compound called lycopene. This compound also has cancer-preventive properties that have been proven effective against prostate cancer. Tomatoes can be easily added to your diet, and they can have great proven benefits for your health.
Conclusion
All the foods mentioned above have proven benefits against the risk of cancer. However, they should not be used as a fail-safe to continue other habits such as smoking and drinking. It is much more important to get rid of smoking and drinking habits to protect yourself from cancer risk.
How to detect breast cancer at an early stage
One of the most common types of cancers primarily found in women, breast cancer is usually not as easy to know about as other kinds of cancers and tumors, in terms of symptoms. However, if early detection of breast cancer can be done, it saves up a lot of hassle of treatments and stress.
One of the most common types of cancers primarily found in women, breast cancer is usually not as easy to know about as other kinds of cancers and tumors, in terms of symptoms. However, if early detection of breast cancer can be done, it saves up a lot of hassle of treatments and stress.
The symptoms of breast cancer are usually very minor and can be hard and very minute to find. However, if one is able to witness these changes in her breast, there are strong chances of her suffering from breast cancer and should immediately consult a doctor regarding the same and following treatment procedures.
Following are the most common symptoms by which one can detect breast cancer at a very early stage, which if known or felt at the right time, will save a lot of resources:
If there is any kind of swelling or redness occurring in one or both the breasts, there are strong chances that it is the same spot where the tumor might be in the process of formation.
Women usually have both their breasts similar in size, however, if one is feeling that one of her breasts is showing sign of growth in terms of its size, this might be an unusual swelling occurring due to tumor.
When the nipple of one or both the breasts shows signs of dissimilarity or appearance, there is a strong chance that the tumor might be in formation around the area of that particular nipple(s).
If the nipple discharges some other kind of fluid apart from breast milk, it shows that the affected breast(s) is unable to form breast milk and this particular fluid might be formed due to the formation of tumor inside.
Pain is one of the easy forms to detect whether something is wrong in one particular part of body or not. In the case of breast cancer too, one can suffer from gradually increasing pain in one or both the breasts.
If one is able to feel any kind of lump or swelling after touching her one or both the breasts, it shows that the tumor has grown in size big enough to directly be felt.
While one can detect this by feeling whether there is any kind of lump in one or both the breasts, if there is no lump to be felt, but an unusual swelling in a part or whole breast, it is a clear sign of invasive breast cancer.
If one is feeling any kind of irritation or swelling on or around one or both the breasts, it signals that the breast tumor is forming such kind of symptom.
If the nipple(s) of one or both the breasts are retracting inwards, this might happen as a result of an increase in the swelling of tumor, which might be forcing the nipple(s) to not be in their optimal situation.
Usually, nipples in humans are in light or dark brown in color. However, if one is sensing any change in the color of her nipple(s) – they might be turning reddish or scaly – it is a clear sign of tumor.
If one is feeling that her nipple(s) of one or both the breasts have shifted off from their usual positioning, it shows that the formation of tumor inside the concerned breast(s) is forcing such a thing to happen.
If one can feel that the surface of her breast(s) is showing sign of formation of a ridged pattern unlike the usual soft touch, this hardening of skin is diagnosed as a sign of breast cancer.
Apart from swelling or pain, if one is feeling that one or both of her breasts are feeling heavier than the usual feel, it usually happens due to the swelling of tumor inside one or both of them.
All these are preliminary symptoms of both invasive as well as inflammatory breast cancer, which are quite minute and might not be too noticeable at the very first place. However, such careful observations, if done rightly, will not only save a lot of possible medication but also mental stress. If one feels any of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult the respective doctor for further processes regarding diagnosis and treatment, including all the essential check-ups.
Why Should Smoking Be Abolished From Your Life: Cancer Spotlight
According to a survey by WHO, approximately 120 million Indians are smokers, which makes up about 12% of the world’s total population of smokers. Not only is that an alarming state, but it is also a significant concern for the overall health of the nation. There is no doubt smoking poses a threat to the one smoking. But, it is also a substantial threat to the people exposed to the smoke.
According to a survey by WHO, approximately 120 million Indians are smokers, which makes up about 12% of the world’s total population of smokers. Not only is that an alarming state, but it is also a significant concern for the overall health of the nation. There is no doubt smoking poses a threat to the one smoking. But, it is also a substantial threat to the people exposed to the smoke.
Despite these facts and the proper distribution of knowledge about the risks of smoking through government channels, many habitual smokers still light one up now and then.
Before their lives go up in smoke because of their habit, this blog is here to talk about why quitting smoking is a meaningful lifestyle change in the fight against cancer.
Smoking Causes and Aggravates Cancer Smoking is a risk factor for cancer as well as one of the primary causes of cancer. It is a leading reason behind various types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer. Even colon cancer has a deep-set link to the habit of smoking. But how?
Cigarettes are made with a combination of chemicals that, when burnt together, create in cancer-causing elements, also known as carcinogens in the body. These carcinogens destroy the inner lining of the lungs and spread in the body through the bloodstream.
Smoking Effects on the Female Body
A research conducted in the previous decade revealed to the field of medicine that smoking actively increased the incidence of breast cancer in women by about 30% in comparison to women who do not smoke. Amongst this demographic, the women that were the most at risk were these:
● Women who began smoking before the age of 20
● Women who began smoking at least 5 years before their first pregnancy
● Women who have smoked for a period time
● Women who smoke more than cigarettes in a day
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
There are numerous benefits of quitting smoking that can be broken down in time intervals that a person has gone without smoking.
● 20 Minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure go down.
● 12 Hours: Carbon Monoxide levels in the blood returns to normal.
● 2 Weeks to 3 Months: Blood circulation and lung function return to normal. The risk of heart attack is also reduced.
● 1 to 9 Months: Coughing problems are gone, and breathing becomes easier.
● 1 Year: Risk of coronary heart diseases is reduced by at least 50%.
● 2 to 5 Years: Cancer risk for mouth, throat, oesophagus, and bladder reduced by 50%, while the risk of stroke becomes similar to that of a non-smoker.
● 10 Years: Lung cancer risk reduced by 50%, while the kidney and pancreatic cancer risk also goes down significantly.
● 15 Years: The risk of coronary heart diseases is reduced to the level of a non-smoker.
How to Quit?
That is one of the most important questions that smokers ask every time they have the will to quit. The first thing that needs to be done is to get a plan in place. Then, as per this plan, the person can either quit on their own or get help from one of our renowned cancer doctors, like Dr Vinay Vyas at Medipulse Hospital, the leading institute for cancer treatment in Jodhpur. Smoking is a curse for the life of people who actually want to live but are carelessly smoking their life away. If you are a smoker or know someone who smokes, make sure to share this blog with them to enlighten them.
How Effective Is Vegan Diet For Cancer Patients
Cancer is one of the major threats to human health in the current time. Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body, cancer creates tumour tissue that affects the growth of other healthy cells by hijacking their nutrition. Cancer cells can also travel to other parts of the body and create tumours, facilitating the overall growth of cancer in the body. One of the most concerning factors about cancer, however, is the increasing incidence rate of the diseases in the current world.
Cancer is one of the major threats to human health in the current time. Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body, cancer creates tumour tissue that affects the growth of other healthy cells by hijacking their nutrition. Cancer cells can also travel to other parts of the body and create tumours, facilitating the overall growth of cancer in the body. One of the most concerning factors about cancer, however, is the increasing incidence rate of the diseases in the current world.
A study showed a stark difference in the percentage of people at risk of cancer in between 2 generations. Between people born after 1930 and after 1960, the lifetime risk of developing cancer increased for men from 38.5 to 53.5 respectively, and for women, it went from 36.7 to 47.5, respectively. This means that half the people under the age of 65 right now are at a risk of developing cancer at least once in their life. Corroborating with this change is the fact that diet of people has changed drastically during this period. The patterns of eating have changed significantly among this population. So is there a direct correlation between cancer and diet & lifestyle?
Understanding Lifestyle and Cancer
The most common thing that is seen in patients is that a certain change in lifestyle takes place during and after treatment. There are a number of research projects taken up by some of the leading and renowned medical institutions around the world that underline a number of important findings towards cancer in the world. A few of them are the following:
● Animal product consumption has been a major reason for the increase of at least 12 types of cancer in the world. This is because over consumption of animal products like meat and dairy can cause an increase in production of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and sex hormones, all of which are strongly linked with the risk of cancer.
● Cooking meat at high temperatures produces a variety of carcinogenic compounds that are then directly consumed by humans.
● Environmental pollutants, especially the ones that can cause cancer are abundantly present in animal products. The reason being, these pollutants accumulate on the tissues and then spread throughout the body, irrespective of the body belonging to a dairy animal or a human.
● Including fruits, vegetables, and legumes into the diet brings in more antioxidants and fibre, both of which are known to be essential in not only reducing the risk of incidence in high-risk cases but also help in fighting cancer itself.
While the world has traditionally been divided into 2 schools of thought (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), the idea of the 3rd way of living life came into existence; Veganism.
Is Vegan Diet Helpful in Cancer?
The main concept of a vegan diet is abstaining from the consumption of any animal products. Be it meat or dairy products, veganism is all about abstaining from both in order to be fully free of anything that comes from or is obtained from animals. In doing so, the food begins to be including more of “cancer-fighting” elements, like berries, greens, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
To support the argument, a research conducted in the year 2014 concluded that out of the 60,000 people under observation, the 2,246 vegans had a 19% lower chances of cancer incidence, even when personal differences like age, gender, and body-mass index were taken into consideration. So in all manners of this argument, the final conclusion that has been drawn by a number of studies and personal experiences is that not only vegan diet can help in reducing the risk of cancer incidence, but also can go a long way in ensuring that a cancer patient can live happily after diagnosis and during treatment.
All this goes in hand with the common knowledge that the leading cause of cancer in this world, more than any other factor, is genetics. A healthy lifestyle and proper dietary habits can significantly reduce cancer incidence in people at high risk of cancer as per their genetics. For the best opinion on this, talk to the best cancer doctor in jodhpur , Dr Vinay Vyas at Medipulse Hospital. Dr Vinay is the Senior Consultant at the Department of Oncology at Medipulse Hosital Jodhpur. Schedule an appointment or visit for the best consultation on cancer.
Understanding Chemotherapy: A Guide for Cancer Treatment
In a human body, normally, the cells grow in an orderly way; however, some cells keep on growing in an uncontrolled fashion. The unchecked growth may result in the development of lumps called a tumour. If the tumour is malignant, it is termed as cancer. Since the discovery of the actual cause behind cancer, many treatments and surgeries were used to cut the tumour tissues in different body parts; however, the success rate remained low.
In a human body, normally, the cells grow in an orderly way; however, some cells keep on growing in an uncontrolled fashion. The unchecked growth may result in the development of lumps called a tumour. If the tumour is malignant, it is termed as cancer. Since the discovery of the actual cause behind cancer, many treatments and surgeries were used to cut the tumour tissues in different body parts; however, the success rate remained low.
Beginning of Chemotherapy
Until the 1940s, there was no instance of the existence of a systematic procedure for the treatment. The actual breakthrough was achieved when surgeons developed a new method of cancer treatment, after the discovery of X-ray and anaesthesia. It was only in the later years of the 20th century that the first successful documentation of chemotherapy took place. Nitrogen was used for treating the condition of lymphoma in a patient, which marked the beginning of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is considered as a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Over the years, new chemotherapy drugs were discovered which resulted in successful treatment of numerous kinds of cancer. It has now become one of the principal modes of treatment of cancer patients.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy, simply put, is the use of different drugs to kill cancerous cells. The procedure stops and slows down the growth of cancerous cells in the human body. Nowadays, chemotherapy has three prime applications:
It is curative for a few malignancies like leukaemia and germ cell malignancies
Plays a palliative role for metastatic epithelial malignancies
Plays a crucial role in resected epithelial malignancies
Understanding chemotherapy may help individuals cope better with the situation and assist them in making a decision about the treatment.
How is it Administered?
Chemotherapy can be given in numerous ways
By mouth
By introducing the drug directly into the affected tissue
With the help of a Catheter
Through a Needle
What is the Duration of Chemotherapy?
The duration of chemotherapy varies according to the stage and type of cancer. It also depends on how an individual’s body responds to the drug. Therefore, it can be given for a few days, few weeks, or a long-term. Your doctor will tell you about the course of treatment after scrutinising your reports.
Is Chemotherapy Painful?
Chemotherapy does not cause any discomfort generally; however, some medications may cause mild burning sensations.
If a person experiences any pain, coolness, unusual burning sensation, s/he must immediately tell the doctor. Moreover, if there is any redness or tenderness over the injection site, the doctor must be contacted immediately.
What are the Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy may produce different side-effects in different patients but not all. The possible side effects are:
Hair Loss
Muscle Weakness
Loss of Appetite
Nausea and Vomiting
Ulcers
Dry and Tired Eyes
Increased Risk of Bruising
Diarrhoea or Constipation
Chemotherapy is widely used because it destroys cancer cells and reduces the chances of reoccurrence. It can also be used as a supportive treatment to shrink cancer and increase the success of the primary treatment.
However, depending on the conditions a cancer patient may have to undergo different treatment. You can avail the health checkup packages in Jodhpur at lower rates. Medipulse has a dedicated department for cancer care with a team of experienced doctors, who can guide the patients with the appropriate treatment. The doctors have treated thousands of patients with varying stages of cancer successfully.