Every Year on February 4, World cancer day is celebrated. World cancer day is celebrated to aware the people about cancer, its types and symptoms so as to take preventive measures. There is an urgent need for action to raise awareness of the disease and to develop practical strategies to reduce the burden of cancer.

Cancer is a disease that occurs when there are uncontrollable growth and division of cells forming a lump called a tumour. This uncontrollable growth of cells spread to other parts through the bloodstream and affect other cells too.

Tumour can be of three types: Benign, malignant or precancerous.

A benign tumour is not dangerous or we can say that they really cause a threat to life. They grow slowly and spread to other parts of the body.

A malignant tumour can spread to other parts of the body through the process of Metastasis. Upon invading healthy tissue at the new site they continue to divide and grow.

Types of cancer:

Carcinoma: Cancer that arises from the epithelial cells, the layer of tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Sarcoma: cancer that begins in the connective tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle or blood vessels

Lymphoma and Myeloma: cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system.

Leukaemia: Cancer that starts into the blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow.

Brain and spinal cord cancers: Cancer that affects the central nervous system.

Causes of cancer:

Cancers can be caused by a number of different factors, most cancers are the result of exposure to a number of different causal factors. There are some factors that can be modified and can’t be modified.

Modifiable factors are Alcohol, obesity, diet and nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, workplace hazards, infection.

Non-Modifiable: Age, carcinogens and genetics

Symptoms of Cancer: Unusual lumps or swelling, constipation, diarrhoea and/or blood found in the stools, weight loss, Fatigue, Breast skin changes and pain and many more

Prevention and treatment of cancer

Prevention is always better than cure. Reduce exposure to risk factors such as tobacco, obesity, physical inactivity, infections, alcohol, environmental pollution, occupational carcinogens and radiation.

Doctors usually prescribe treatments based on the type of cancer, its stage at diagnosis, and the person’s overall health.

Information source: www.worldcancerday.org, https://www.uicc.org/events/world-cancer-day-2020