Cancer – Types of cancer, symptoms of cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems. They can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign. More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when a cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymph systems destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion

Firstly the affected cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis. Secondly When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a serious condition that is very difficult to treat. Many cancers will be present with some of the above general symptoms but often have one or more symptoms that are more specific for the cancer type. For example, lung cancer may present with common symptoms of pain, but usually the pain is located in the chest. The patient may have unusual bleeding, but the bleeding usually occurs when the patient coughs. Lung cancer patients often become short of breath, and then become very fatigued. Because there are so many cancer types, with so many nonspecific and sometimes more specific symptoms, the best way to learn about signs and symptoms of specific cancer types is to spend a few moments researching symptoms of a specific body area in question. Conversely, a specific body area can be searched to discover what signs and symptoms a person should look for in that area that is suspected of having cancer.

• Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs -skin, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian cancers,” epithelial, squamous and basal cell carcinomas, melanomas, papillomas and adenomas
• Sarcoma: Cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels or other connective or supportive tissue — “bone, soft tissue cancers,” osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma
• Leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood — “leukemia,” lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL and CLL), myelogenous leukemias (AML and CML), T-cell leukemia, and hairy-cell leukemia
• Lymphoma and myeloma: Cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system — “lymphoma,” T-cell lymphomas, B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lymphoproliferative lymphomas
• Central nervous system cancers: Cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord — “brain and spinal cord tumors,” gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, primary CNS lymphomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors

So how can we prevent or rather make sure we live a healthy life? Few sacrifices in our a food i,e replacing commercially produced with organic. Bulk up on fiber, choose your fat wisely, avoid grilled food or barbeque. avoid cooking oils on low heat, choose fresh meat, be careful what you put in microwave.These are just some of the ways which go hand in hand along with a regular exercise to have a healthy life and remember LIVE STRONG. As the saying goes Health is wealth, so stay healthy and the rest will follow.