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GENERAL CANCER FAQ

Q1. What is Cancer?

Human body is made up of small building blocks which are called cells. Normal cells grow as per the need of the body, and die after a definite cell life cycle. Cancer is when these cells continue to grow even after the completion of their regular life cycle, they form abnormal and sometimes uncontrolled mass of cells. In most types of cancer, the abnormal cells grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor.

Q2. How does cancer start?

A human body is made up of numerous different types of cells. Normally these cells grow, divide, become old, and die. In most cases, they are replaced by new cells. But sometimes these cells mutate grow out of control, and form a mass, or tumor, instead of dying. Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Cancerous tumors can attack and kill healthy cells and tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body, causing new tumors to form there. This is called metastasis and it represents cancer that has advanced to a late stage.

Q3. What are early signs of cancer?

There are seven common ones and they are often called the Seven Danger Signals of Cancer:

  • Change in bowel or bladder habits.

  • A sore that does not heal.

  • Unusual bleeding or discharge.

  • Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.

  • Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.

  • Obvious change in wart or mole.

  • Nagging cough or hoarseness.

You should at once consult a doctor upon the appearance of any sign.

Q4. Who can get cancer?

Anyone can get cancer, although the risk goes up with age. Individual risk depends on factors such as smoking , lifestyle choices, dietary choices, exercise, family history of cancer, and factors in their workplace and environment.

Q5. Does cigarette smoke really cause cancer?

Yes. Smoking cigarettes is one of the major cause of lung cancer. It can also lead to cancers of the bladder, pancreas, mouth, larynx, esophagus, and kidney.

Q6. Is cancer genetic?

Yes, In about 5-10% cases of cancer, it is a genetic disease. This is because cancer is caused by mutations or changes to genes that control the way our cells function, causing them to behave irregularly. If someone has a history of cancer in the family, genetic testing recommended to identify their chances of acquiring it.

Q7. Is cancer contagious?

No. Cancer is not contagious like the common flu or cold. It is a non transferable disease.​

Q8. What are the stages of cancer, and what do they mean?

Cancer typically has following stages:

  • Stage 0: This stage means that the cancer is still in the place where it started and has not spread to its nearby tissues. Stage 0 cancers are often curable.

  • Stage I: This stage usually represents a small tumor or cancer that hasn’t grown deeply into nearby tissues. It’s sometimes called early-stage cancer.

  • Stages II and III: Usually these stages represent larger cancers or tumors that have grown more deeply into nearby tissues. They also may have spread to lymph nodes. However, they haven’t spread to other organs or parts of the body.

  • Stage IV: Cancer in this stage has spread to other organs or parts of the body. It may be referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer.

Q9. What are the SIGNS , SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER ?

General signs and symptoms of cancer include:

1.    Unexplained weight loss

2.    Fever

3.    Fatigue

4.    Pain

5.    Skin changes

6.    Bowel habit or bladder function changes

7.    Sores that don’t heal

8.    Unusual bleeding or discharge

9.    A thickening or lump in a part of the body, such as a breast

10. Indigestion or trouble swallowing

11. A recent change in a wart or mole

12. Hoarseness of voice and prolonged cough

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There can be other reasons for these signs and symptoms. It is always better to consult a doctor in case these signs and symptoms persists.

Q10. How is Cancer Diagnosed?

1. Physical exam- Identifying or observing abnormalities, such as changes in skin color or enlargement of an organ, that may indicate the presence of cancer.

2. Laboratory tests - Laboratory tests, such as urine and blood tests, may help in identifying abnormalities that can be caused by cancer. For instance, in people with leukemia, a common blood test called complete blood count may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cells.

3. Imaging tests - Imaging tests allow doctors to examine bones and internal organs in a noninvasive way. Imaging tests used in diagnosing cancer may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, among others.

4. Biopsy - During a biopsy, the doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in the laboratory. There are several ways of collecting a sample. Which biopsy procedure is right for the patient depends on type of cancer and its location. In most situations, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer.

Q11. Why is screening helpful in early detection of cancer?

Screening helps in finding health problems before symptoms appear. Screening tests such as mammograms can help in finding breast cancer and colonoscopy helps in finding colon cancer. Early detection catches cancer when it’s in a early and more treatable stage.

Q12. Why does the diagnosis seem to be so delayed in so many cases?

Cancer cells can multiply and produce billions of cells before a tumor becomes big enough to be detected. That is why early detection through screening and periodic health checkups and prevention is very important.​

Q13. How is cancer treated?

Cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of the three. The treatment type chosen varies from patient to patient. The type and stage of cancer along with the patient’s overall health plays an important role as certain cancer treatments can carry a higher risk if administered to a patient who is already compromised.

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