Prevention
of Cancer – Dr TN Chugh
SIRSA NEWS
08 July 2019
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any of the information given below
Prevention of Cancer
Cancer in human beings is a complex of diseases with uncontrolled
multiplication and disorganized growth of affected cells in any of the body
tissues. Possible signs and symptoms include lumps, abnormal bleeding,
prolonged cough, unexplained weight and change in many movements (with 100
types of cancer). It involves abnormal cell growth with the power to attack and
spread to different parts of body. It also involves limitless cell division
without or programmed death; promote blood vessel construction, attack of
tissues and formation of metastasis.
In Latin word cancer means “Crab “, where as in French language denoted as
‘Canker’. Cancer is also denoted as “Tumor” and Malignancy Tumor.
Types of Cancer:
1. Carcinoma— Effecting
epithelial cells breast, lungs, pancreas, colon, prostate.
2. Sarcoma— Develops from
connective tissues (cartilage, bones, soft tissue, bone marrow, muscles, blood
vessels, lymph, endocrine glands, genitourinary system and fibrous tissue.
However, Carcinosarcoma develops in epithelial tissue and connective tissue.
3. Leukemia-- Blood forming
tissue of bone marrow. There is increase in WBC number, which destroy the cells
of other organs.
4. Lymphoma—Begin in
lymphocytes (T-cells, B-cells, Hodgkin Reed Sternberg cells, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
5. Multiple Myeloma—Begin in
plasma cells. Bone marrow to form tumors.
6. Melanoma—Form on the skin
cancer, may be in eyes.
7. Brain and Spinal cord
tumors
8. Other types of Tumors—Germ
cells, Neuron-Endocrine, Carcinold Tumors.
Cancer cells continue to divide
without stopping. These are able to ignore signals that begin the process known
as programmed cell death to get rid of un-needed cells. Metastasis is always
fatal and is the outstanding characteristic of Malignancy. It is the tendency of
tumor cells carried by circulatory system and other channels to influence
almost many tissues and organs.
Symptoms of Cancer:
Mass
of tumor or its ulceration.
Bronchus
resulting cough, Pneumonia, Narrowing of esophagus (painful to swallow).
Alteration that can cause bleeding (coughing of blood).
Blockage
of Bowel.
Anemia
or rectal bleeding, blood in urine, uterus to vagina bleeding.
Accumulation
of fluid within chest or abdomen. It may be pain less.
Lung
cancer
Enlargement
of lymph nodes, liver, spleen etc.
Pain
due to fracture of affected bones (Neurological symptoms).
Major Causes of Cancer:
Cancer can be caused by a variety of factors acting singly or in concert
but mechanism remains unknown. It is well established that exposure of certain
chemicals is important. 90 to 95% cases may be due to genetic mutations from
environmental or life style factors, whereas, 5 to 10% are due to inherited
genetics.
Most of the cancer deaths include Tobacco (25-30%), Diet and Obesity or
state of excessive fatness (30-35%), Infection (15-20%), Radiations both
ionizing and non-ionizing (up to 10%). More so, the stress, check of physical
activity and pollution are also harmful. Chemicals in the form of carcinogens
of tobacco smoke cause about 90% lung cancer, larynx, head, neck, stomach,
esophagus, pancreas, bladder and Kidneys. However, excess of diet as over
nutrition and defective exercise may cause cancer death due to excess of body
weight. It may also cause gastric and colon cancer.
About 18% cancer deaths may be due to virus infection, Burkitt’s lymphoma
develops after exposure to Epstein-Barr virus. Genital herpes seem to be prone
to cervical cancer. These have been identified as Onco-virus, Epstein-Barr
virus, Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus, Hepatitis B- and C-virus and Human leukemia
virus. The expressed cells may become malignant. However, Bacterial infection
may increase the risk of cancer. Sometimes, wrong ultra- violet radiations may
adversely increase 10% cancer. Heredity cause of cancer is less than 1%.
Malignancy implies to inherent tendency of the tumor cells which invade the
body.
Diagnosis of Cancer Infection:
These include blood tests, X-Rays, Contrast C.T.Scan and Endoscopy. Biopsy
indicates the type of cells which are proliferating, genetic abnormalities and
other features.
Cytogenetic and Immuno-histo-chemistry are other types of tissue tests,
Molecular changes such as, mutations, fusion genes and numerical chromosomes.
Malignancy refers to ability of a tumor to ultimately cause death. Cancer cells
evade the immune system, a network of organs, tissues and specialized cells
mainly caused by genes. The genetic changes bring mutations of DNA of three
types, Proto-oncogenes and DNA repair genes. The alteration is from normal
state to Hyperplasic, Dysplasia and Cancer.
Prevention of Cancer:
It is a major aspect of protection from disease and prolonged life.
• Avoid the use of tobacco
because smoking causes various types of cancer of lungs, mouth, throat, larynx,
pancreas, bladder, kidneys etc. Chewing tobacco cause cancer to oral cavity.
• Try to take healthy diet
of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
Avoid obesity by taking high caloric food including refined sugars and
fats from animal sources. Use of alcohol
can cause cancer of breast, lungs, liver, colon and kidneys. Limit prolonged
meat. you can take plant based food with extra –origin olive oil and mixed
nuts.
• Maintain healthy weight
and be physically active. Try to follow moderate aerobic activity. Protect
yourself from direct sun, cover exposed area, but try to be in shade. Do not
skimp on sun screen generously. Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps.
• Get vaccinated when
necessary. For instance, Hepatitis-B vaccine increase the risk of liver cancer,
Human papilloma is sexually virus that
can lead to cervical or other genital cancer, squamous cell cancers of head and
neck. HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls of about 11 and 12 years.
• Avoid risky sex behavior
as sex with HIV or HPV has higher risk of cancer of anus, vagina, penis,
throat, lungs and liver. Do not share needles because the intravenous drugs can
lead to HIV, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C and increase liver cancer.
• Request your doctor about
the best screening schedule for you through regular medical care such as skin,
cervix, colon etc.
• Radiation therapy like
ultra radiation from sunlight. Take Immuno-suppressive medicines, vitamins for
fugitive, stool color chart to avoid knee pains.
• Physical activity to
prevent post-meno-pansal cancer, and endometrial cancer.
• Avoid obesity to prevent
breast, esophageal, kidney and pancreatic cancer.
• Control environmental risk
factors.
Contributed by: Dr. Triloki Nath Chugh. H.E.S.-I
Retired.
The writer is an eminent former Professor of Zoology; he has
more than 3 decades of teaching experience in various colleges of KUK.
He can be reached on his Mobile No:+91-9416048789 and
email: trilokichugh@gmail.com. Dr Chugh
has published many Zoology research papers; Guided several M.Phil students for
research; M.Sc. Secured 2nd Position BITS PILANI 1968; Gold
Medalist in French Diploma 1981 KUK; Principal at SSS Boys College for 7 years.
The views expressed in the article are exclusive to Dr TN Chugh.
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