Cancer cells are cells that have lost the ability to follow the normal control that the body exerts on all cells.

This happens due to the uncontrollable growth rate of an abnormal cell, which goes beyond its limits to attack other organs of the body.

The body is made up of millions of cells that perform very different functions. It’s important to note that a cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.

The number of cells in the body is determined by the balance between cell division and cell death.

The cells are constantly dividing, wearing out or dying, and being replaced by new ones which enhance growth and this happens in a controlled way.

When the cells escape the normal growth mechanisms and begin to spread, it’s called cancer.

Cancer can occur in any part of the body because there are cells everywhere in the human body, so it can spread.

Cancer can also be called a neoplasm or malignant tumor.

Tumors could be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are slow growing and do not spread.

Cancers are malignant tumors and grow rapidly.

Statistics about cancer

According to statistics, cancer is the major leading health problem with an estimated 5-6 million deaths and over 10 million incidents in the world.

Cancer can happen to individuals of any gender, age, color, race, nationality, etcetera. It’s no respecter of persons.

Cancers begin with a change in the nucleus where the DNA stays.

Cancers act by mutations in the DNA, this occurs when the cell duplicates its DNA before cell division and makes mistakes.

These damages are usually detected and repaired before the cell can divide. If ignored could be transferred to daughter cells.

cancer is mostly the result of accumulations of many gene mutations involved in cell cycle control.

These accumulations normally happen after a long period.

one might want to ask,

what causes changes in the DNA?

Tobacco smoke

Alcohol Excessive exposure to sun rays.

It could also happen when cells are dividing, a random error which when an important gene gets affected.

Inherited gene changes that make one predisposed to cancer.

What does it mean to be predisposed to cancer?

Anyone predisposed to cancer is born with the mutation which will make him or her more likely to develop a certain type of cancer.

This makes these persons vulnerable to cancer.

How does cancer spread?

Cancer cells do not stick together like normal cells.

a. Local spread: this is a situation where the cancer cells move and attack nearby tissue or organs

b. systematic spread: this is a situation where they spread to further away organs through the means of blood circulation.

c. metastasis: this is the spread of cancer to non-adjacent organs. Lungs are the most common site of secondary cancer.

The three basic ways in which cancer can be treated include;

Surgery:

this method is basically removing the tumors from the body.

Radiotherapy:

This is passing the individual through the X-rays/electrons to kill individual cells. common side effects include localized skin irritation and localized hair loss.

Chemotherapy:

From the name, this involves using chemicals to kill these tumors.

It targets fast-growing and reproducing cells, and the tumor shrinks and dies.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs might not be able to detect the difference between fast-growing normal cells like those in the bone marrow or hair follicle and the cancer cells thereby causing damage to these normal fast-growing cells.

This could lead to side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and a weakened immune system.

To minimize the side effects of chemotherapy one needs to rest, eat nutritious foods, and take prescribed medications.

Symptoms of cancer

For women, there are signs you shouldn’t overlook.

Lumps in the armpit or breast which feel hard when touched, as well as nipple changes.

Abnormal bleeding during or after intercourse or after menopause. Sudden loss of weight, even when you are not on diet or undergoing new exercise habits or stressful activities.

Alsoo when you seem to gain a lot of weight and you are not always hungry or you are not eating much, it’s advised to see a doctor.

Constant pain or pressure around the pelvis or abdomen.

There is no need to assume things or panic if you notice these signs, some symptoms are not peculiar to a particular disease. It’s always important to see a doctor if it stretches for about 7-14 days.

Generally, these are signs anyone shouldn't ignore.

All kinds of changes in the skin structure, moles, or pigmentation can be possible sign of skin cancer. It appears like spots on the skin with an unusual size, color, or shape.

Wounds that take an unusually long time to heal, could be a sign that cancer is growing in your body. Consider keeping the wound neat and also getting a blood screening to be cautious. if there is no improvement, see a doctor.

Irritable skin: when there is a red, warm itchy sensation on your skin, it could be a possible sign of cancer growth. Bumps around the tongue or mouth are, could be a sign of oral cancer.

Changes in urination, watch out for urine color, strong offensive or sour smell, blood in the urine, and presence of foam in the urine.

Like I said earlier, these signs could be symptoms of another ailment but it’s important to always check out for these symptoms and never ignore them, go see a doctor, as soon as you can.

Fact about cancer

Asides from the fact that cancer caused by cell division is something we don’t have a power stop.

There is also a lot we can do to make sure that the external factors that lead that leadsrees controlled.

Emphasis on external factors, because, the majority of this disease is caused by internal factors which are largely beyond anyone’s control.

A lot of studies have shown that there are a lot of environmental factors that aid this disease, Hepatitis c is related to liver cancer, and alcohol and tobacco are related to esophageal cancer.

Smoking leads to lung cancer while too much exposure to sun rays leads to skin cancer.

How to prevent cancer

That being said, it’s possible to prevent cancer by practicing health behaviors like, not smoking or having quit over five years.

Moderate alcohol intake, less than or equal to 1 for women and less than or equal to 2 for men.

Exercise for about 150 minutes per week for moderate activities or &5 minutes of vigorous activity is highly recommended.

Maintain a healthy weight; being obese is most likely going to make one prone to this disease.

f you must be under the sun, practice using sun screen.

Eating a healthy diet to avoid being obese and maintaining a healthy weight or body size.

Eating more vegetables, fruits, and grains and eating less processed meat. Vaccinate your children between the ages of 11-12 against the disease using the HPV vaccine.

When you start to see any of the above signs, get screened as soon as possible. Simple and easy changes in behaviors like this make one less prone to having cancer.

 Asides from this, these behaviors are important to stay healthy and avoid other diseases too.