Cancer

Cancer of the Creative Writing of the Concerned May 13, Cancer There is no denying the fact that cancer is a disease that commands loads of shock, fear and stress in the popular perception. Strictly speaking, cancer is not a new disease. However, in the recent times, the incidence of cancer has been on the rise (Dein, 2006, p. 35). There are various dietary, genetic, lifestyle related and environmental factors that could cause cancer (Dein, 2006, p. 35). Medical experts associate this trend with a range of factors such as pollution, smoking, stress, improper dietary choices, faulty lifestyles, substance abuse, genetics and the like, which negatively influence the cell division mechanisms in the body and lead to cancerous tumors in different human organs (Dein, 2006, p. 35). To put it in simple words, cancer happens to be an uncontrolled division of cells in an organism’s body (Weinberg, 1999, p. 1). In a healthy individual the division of body cells is systematic and controlled and facilitates many important body functions and physiological developments. However, in case this cell division gets uncontrolled, it may form a tumor, the name attributed to a mass of abnormal cells (Weinberg, 1999, p. 1). As cancerous tumors are composed of abnormal cells, they do not serve any healthy function in an organism’s body. Rather, an unobstructed growth of cancerous tumors obstructs the normal working of the healthy tissues and in extreme cases, if not checked through medical intervention, may cause death (Weinberg, 1999, p. 1). Cancers are caused by a variety of reasons or factors. They may infect any part or tissue in a body. Many a time cancers are caused by genetic disorders (Adrouny, 2002, p. 7). A single malignant gene could transfer the risk of cancer to successive generations. From example, breast cancer and stomach cancers are the two cancers which are mostly of genetic origin (Adrouny, 2002, p. 7). Cancer may also develop due to bad habits like substance abuse and smoking. For instance, if one takes lung cancer, in more than eighty percent of the patients it could be traced to tobacco smoking or the consumption of tobacco products (Sherry, 1994, p. 23). Conclusively speaking, tobacco smoking happens to be a major risk factor that has been proven to cause lung cancer in the current times. Environmental pollution and the excess of harmful chemicals like pesticides, heavy metals, radioactive residues, radiation, DDT, carbon monoxide, benzene, etc. in soil, air and water has been found to enhance the risk of cancer in human populations (Sherry, 1994, p. 26). Some viruses have also been found to initiate cancer (Sherry, 1994). The thing that needs to be kept in mind is that cancer is a disease that does not develop abruptly, but rather happens to be the outcome of multiple factors accumulating over a prolonged period of time (Sherry, 1994). Depending on the part of the body or area impacted by a cancerous tumor, there tend to be various types of cancers. There is bladder cancer which hits the urinary system (Health Insite, 2012). The symptoms of bladder cancer are passing of blood in the urine, persistent urge to urinate without any results, urinating frequently and experiencing pain during urination (Health Insite, 2012). Human bowels are also susceptible to cancer, giving way to bowel cancer. Most of the time, the incidence of bowel cancer could be lowered by subscribing to proper diet and exercise (Health Insite, 2012). Besides, bowl cancer is curable if diagnosed at an early stage. Breast cancer is primarily found in women above 40 and it happens to be the cancer most commonly found amongst women (Health Insite, 2012). Breast cancer is most effectively treated if it is detected before it gets an opportunity to spread beyond breasts to other parts of the human body (Health Insite, 2012). The varied parts of the human digestive system like bowel, stomach, liver, pancreas and liver are also susceptible to cancer (Health Insite, 2012). The various other types of cancer that could affect the human body are male and female genital cancers, cancers of head and neck, kidney cancer, leukemia or blood cancer, bone tissue cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes, nervous system cancers, and skin cancer (Health Insite, 2012). Contrary to popular belief that cancer is synonymous with death, the reality is that most of the times, cancer could be cured (Sherry, 1994). Early diagnosis plays a pivotal and crucial in determining a positive prognosis for a cancer patient (Sherry, 1994). Surgery, biologic therapies, radiation and chemotherapies happen to be the four fundamental approaches towards cancer treatment resorted to by the experts (American Cancer Society, 2012). Considering the ongoing research on cancer, many new drugs and treatments are expected to be discovered in the coming decades (Sherry, 1994). Cancer is a disease that could be attributed to many genetic, environmental or lifestyle related factors. Cancer could affect almost any organ or part of the body. Irrespective of the negative image of cancer as a disease, the reality is that cancer is mostly curable if diagnosed in time. Quitting bad habits like smoking and correcting lifestyles disorders could really help in protecting against cancer. In the light of the recent scientific developments, a cure for cancer could positively be expected in the near future. References Adrouny, A Richard. (2002). Understanding Colon Cancer. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families. (2012). American Cancer Society. Retrieved May 13, 2012 from the American Cancer Society Web site: http://www. cancer. org/Treatment/UnderstandingYourDiagnosis/AfterDiagnosis/after-diagnosis-how-is-cancer-treated Dein, Simon. (2006). Culture and Cancer Care. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Sherry, Michael M. (1994). Confronting Cancer. New York: Insight Books. Types of Cancer. (2012). Health Insite. Retrieved May 17, 2012 from the Health Direct Australia Web site: http://www. healthinsite. gov. au/topics/Types_of_Cancer Weinberg, Robert A. (1999). One Renegade Cell. New York: Basic Books.