Sonali Bendre:Metastatic Cancer

The news about Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre suffering from high-grade cancer left her friends and fans shocked on Wednesday. Releasing a statement, the actor revealed, “Sometimes when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with high-grade cancer that has metastasized, which we frankly did not see coming.” As soon as Sonali tweeted about her medical condition, love and best wishes started pouring in for the Sarfarosh actor. Seeing the love and considering the actor’s fighter attitude, Sonali’s sister-in-law Shrishti Arya is positive that she will be cured soon.

“Sonali is a fighter. She will definitely prevail. She has a lot of positive energy. She will be back. We are all very grateful for the outpouring of love,” Shrishti said during an interview with Spotboye.com. In the interaction, Shrishti also mentioned how it was as sudden and shocking for her family as it was for the fans of the actor. She said, “Yes, it happened suddenly. Aisi sab baatein suddenly hi hoti hain.”

Sonali Bendre diagnosed with metastatic cancer

Sonali Bendre diagnosed with cancer: The actor shared the news about her medical condition on social media.

Sonali in her statement also mentioned, “There is no better way to tackle this than to take swift and immediate action. And so, as advised by my doctors, I am currently undergoing a course of treatment in New York. We remain optimistic and I am determined to fight every step of the way. What has helped has been the immense outpouring of love and support I’ve received over the past few days, for which I am very grateful.”

The actor is in New York with husband Goldie Behl and is undergoing treatment. She was visited by Akshay Kumar recently and was showered with a lot of blessings from her industry friends like Farah Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi and others.

Nutritional Value of Honey & Cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon are both nutritious nourishment's and contain vitamins and minerals that assistance to keep up good well being. They contain nutrients which incorporate water, protein, fiber, sugar, vitamins, and minerals. Cinnamon likewise contains a low level of fat.

Minerals, for example, calcium, press, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc are found in honey and cinnamon. As far as vitamins, they contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. Cinnamon likewise contains vitamin An, E, D, and K.

Controls Diabetes

Cinnamon contains cancer prevention agent flavonoids whose impact nearly takes after insulin, which implies that it can empower glucose out of the circulation system and into the cells where it is required for vitality. Honey, as an unadulterated wellspring of normal sugar, does not cause the variance in glucose levels that numerous fake wellsprings of sugar do, and cinnamon's belongings, when joined with it, demonstrate a relentless utilization of glucose by the body, and a change in type 2 diabetes.

Boosts Immunity

Honey and cinnamon paste is good for boosting  the immune system, eliminating chronic fatigue, and increasing the lifespan of people. It can also be used for treating colds and influenza. This is partially due to the antioxidants found in both honey and cinnamon which can combine to combat the free radicals in the body’s organ systems.

Prevents Cancer

The impressive amount of phytochemicals found in honey have been linked to preventing  cancer, while cinnamon has certain anti-tumor properties that can decrease the chances of metastasis or the spread of cancer through tumorous growth. Certain acids within honey also directly shut down the activity of two enzymes, lipoxygenase, and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, which have both been linked to producing cancerous materials in the body.

Treats Itching

A paste made of honey and cinnamon is often used to treat insect bites and relieve inflammation at the source. Cinnamon is considered an anti-inflammatory substance, while honey is an antiseptic and therapeutic component  of many beauty and cosmetic products. Thus, their combination works on all aspects of skin irritation and insect bites at the same time, while simultaneously keeping you from developing infections.

Aids in Digestion

Honey and cinnamon can help to increase the health and functionality of the digestive system. It can remove gas from the stomach and intestine and treat stomachache, excess flatulence, indigestion, and bladder infections. Regular consumption of cinnamon and honey will help in maintaining healthy digestion, which protects the gastrointestinal system from a number of serious conditions.

Treats Arthritis

Honey and cinnamon are beneficial in providing relief from arthritis. Regular intake of their paste helps to maintain bone health and relieves joint pain. You can also mix honey and cinnamon powder in warm water and enjoy the results.

Weight Loss

A mixture of honey and cinnamon in warm water is considered a good weight loss tool. Of course, like any other weight loss remedy, results are only seen when you combine it with a maintained diet and regular exercise.

Skin Care

The benefits of honey and cinnamon extend to skin care as well, where minor skin infections and pimples can be treated with a simple application of the paste formed from these two precious foods. This can be applied on wounds or on the skin as a general spread due to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant characteristics, which can reduce the appearance of age-related spots and wrinkles by reducing the impact of free radicals in the skin.

Prevents Heart Disorders

Honey and cinnamon are used for reducing the cholesterol levels and thus providing additional protection to your heart. A high cholesterol level (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) can result in atherosclerosis or plaque buildup on the walls of arteries and vessels, thereby increasing the chances of a clot forming that can result in a heart attack or a stroke.

What is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer, otherwise called gastric cancer, happens when cancer cells create inside the covering of the stomach. Some hazard factors for stomach cancer include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• History of stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori
• Longstanding anemia (low iron levels)
• History of polyps in your stomach
• Diet high in smoked or pickled foods
• Diet low in fiber
• Exposure to asbestos
• Occupational hazards, such as working in the coal, timber, metal, or rubber industries

Stomach cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, but when it does, the symptoms might include:

• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Feeling bloated
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Weakness

 

 

At the point when stomach cancer is suspected, there are a few approaches to explore further. Most ordinarily, an upper endoscopy will be performed to peer inside the stomach and throat. Pictures will be taken, and any suspicious discoveries can be biopsied around then. Another device now and again utilized is a unique sort of x-beam called an upper GI arrangement, whereby barium is gulped just before the x-beam to feature the life systems of the stomach. A CT output should be possible too, yet as with the upper GI arrangement, the drawback is that a biopsy can't be taken as it can with an upper endoscopy. Likewise with all cancers, a biopsy is required for determination.

When stomach cancer has been analyzed, there are frequently a few customary treatment choices. Contingent upon the tumor area, medical procedure may be a plausibility. The choice to perform medical procedure must be deliberately weighed with the potential long haul reactions including the stomach related framework. Chemotherapy and radiation are additionally as often as possible used medicines.

Integrative oncology uses these customary methodologies when they bode well, yet we likewise think about choices. The significance of sustenance can't be downplayed, nor can the potential advantage of supplementation. We additionally trust that inventive intravenous treatments, for example, high measurements vitamins, minerals, and against oxidants, can assume a profitable part in an integrative convention.

The above treatments must be customized to every particular patient. This is the place we not just consider the science behind what we are doing, yet in addition the craft of patient care. Every patient is special in his or her medicinal history, lifetime exposures, feelings, and emotionally supportive network. The perfection of these numerous variables is a cancer case as one of a kind as a unique finger impression. Deciding how to utilize the instruments we have available to us in the most ideal route for every patient is our main event.

Causes and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most widely recognized cancer in men, excluding skin cancer. The prostate organ lies just underneath the bladder and before the rectum, and is a piece of the regenerative framework that it helps make semen. Cancer happens when ordinary prostate cells form into anomalous cells that develop quickly.



Every year in the United States, there are around 180,000 new instances of prostate cancer analyzed and around 26,000 passings from prostate cancer. About in 1 7 men will be determined to have prostate cancer amid his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second driving reason for cancer demise in American men, behind lung cancer.

Hazard factors for creating prostate cancer include:

• Age greater than 50
• Family history of prostate cancer
• African-American race
• Being overweight or obese

Prostate health is typically measured in two main ways: by the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) on blood testing, and via a digital rectal exam, where the prostate gland can be felt for any irregularities. This is important, as early-stage prostate cancer usually does not cause any symptoms. However, more advanced prostate cancer can cause symptoms such as:

• A weak urinary stream
• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Weakness in the legs or feet
• Back or hip pain

A definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer requires a biopsy, which is usually performed by a urologist. Prostate cancer is graded according to the Gleason system, which assigns a score based on how similar (or dissimilar) the biopsy tissue is compared to normal prostate tissue. The total Gleason score can range from 2 to 10, with 2 being the most similar to normal prostate cells and 10 being the most dissimilar. The lower the Gleason score is, the less aggressive the growth and spread tends to be.

Since numerous prostate cancers are moderate developing, once in a while the prescribed approach will be to screen the tumor. This is known as careful pausing. At the point when the tumor is felt to be more forceful, ordinary choices, for example, medical procedure, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone treatment are considered. These treatment alternatives must be picked precisely, on the grounds that reactions can every now and again cause manifestations, for example, erectile brokenness, failure to accomplish climax, and urinary incontinence.

In integrative oncology, we expand upon these medications by deliberately fusing nourishment, supplementation, and other inventive treatments trying to adjust treatment viability with a minimization of symptoms. This is done personalize, in light of the fact that every patient is remarkable in his or her analysis, therapeutic history, and treatment objectives.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second-most normal sort of cancer in the World, and the most widely recognized reason for cancer Death.



The two noteworthy sorts of lung cancer are non-little cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and little cell lung cancer (SCLC). Roughly 85% of all lung cancers are non-little cell lung cancer, while around 10-15% are little cell lung cancer. A third sort, lung carcinoid tumor, contains under 5% of lung cancer analyze. Non-little cell lung cancer can be subdivided into a few sorts, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and vast cell carcinoma.

A substantial larger part of patients with lung cancer have a past filled with cigarette smoking. As anyone might expect, the danger of creating lung cancer increments with the measure of cigarette presentation (estimated by the quantity of packs of cigarettes smoked and in addition the quantity of years of smoking). In those people who quit smoking, the danger of creating lung cancer diminishes proportionate to the quantity of years of restraint, yet never abatements to the level of somebody who never smoked. Numerous non-smokers who create lung cancer were presented to elevated amounts of second-hand smoke.

Other hazard factors for developing lung cancer include:

• Asbestos exposure
• Heavy metal exposure (arsenic, cadmium, vinyl chloride, nickel, coal, beryllium, mustard gas)
• Radon exposure
• Diesel exhaust
• Radiation therapy for another cancer (breast, lymphoma)

There is much debate as to the need for lung cancer screening, which typically includes imaging such as a chest x-ray or spiral CT scan. Most authorities agree that screening is appropriate in high-risk populations such as heavy smokers and those with significant environmental exposure to known carcinogens.

Symptoms of lung cancer can include:

• Chronic cough
• Cough with yellow, white, or blood-tinged sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hoarse voice
• Weight loss (typically seen in advanced lung cancer)

If symptoms and/or imaging suggest lung cancer, a definitive diagnosis must be made with a biopsy. This biopsy typically occurs with the aid of CT- or ultrasound-guidance. Lymph nodes might also be biopsied if they appear suspicious.

It is important to distinguish between small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, because they are treated differently. Sometimes, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor if it is in an accessible location. The extent of spread of the cancer to other sites must also be taken into consideration when planning treatment.

As with most cancers, conventional treatment options typically consist of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In integrative oncology, we do not stop there. We also consider many other patient factors, including:

• Chronic medical problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and digestive issues
• Previous medical history
• Diet and nutritional status
• Activity level and mobility
• Environmental exposures in the home and at work
• Sources of stress
• Treatment goals
• Support system, including family and friends

With all of these variables to consider, it becomes apparent that each cancer is unique. Dr. Stegall reviews your case very carefully, and after thorough discussion with you, a personalized treatment plan is generated which fits your specific situation. Once the roadmap is created, we have many tools at our disposal. These tools include advanced testing as well as innovative therapies that are on the cutting edge of science. Dr. Stegall feels strongly that the application of these treatments in a customized way for each patient is the future of cancer care. Source Advance-Med

 

Cancer of The Liver

Liver Tumor, otherwise called hepatocellular carcinoma, can be essential or optional. Essential liver growth emerges from liver cells, which end up unusual in both their conduct and their appearance.



Auxiliary liver malignancy emerges from somewhere else in the body. This metastatic spread most regularly originates from malignancy of the colon, bosom, stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney, ovary, uterus, or lung.

A third kind of liver malignancy, known as metastatic liver tumor, is an exceptionally uncommon condition when essential liver disease spreads to different areas in the body.

Essential liver malignancy regularly happens in patients who have a known history of ceaseless liver ailment, bringing about cirrhosis. Hazard factors include:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Alcoholic abuse
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (steatohepatitis)
• Obesity
• Elevated iron content in the blood (hemochromatosis)
• Male gender
• Age 55 or older
• Asian or Hispanic ethnicity
• Liver cancer in a first-degree relative (parent or sibling)

Liver cancer doesn’t always result in symptoms, but as the tumor grows larger it can press on other structures and cause symptoms. Examples include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea/vomiting
• Ascites (fluid accumulation in the belly)
• Swollen feet/legs
• Weight loss

The process of diagnosing liver cancer typically begins with imaging such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. A sample of tissue, known as a biopsy, is taken if the tumor is in an easily accessible location. If a biopsy is not possible, liver cancer can be diagnosed based on a combination of imaging and lab testing. The lab test typically drawn to evaluate for liver cancer is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is usually elevated in about 75% of patients with liver cancer.

After diagnosis, liver cancer is staged based on the extend of spread.

Conventional medicine treatments for liver cancer will depend on the location of the tumor(s) and how widespread the cancer is. Liver tumors can sometimes be surgically removed if they are of smaller size and in an easily accessible location. Radiation, embolization, and chemotherapy are also used in conventional medicine.

In integrative oncology, we not only rely on the aforementioned treatments, but also emphasize multiple intravenous therapies, nutrition, supplementation, and mind-body medicine. The goal is to approach each cancer case in as detailed a manner as possible. Thus, we do not only focus on the specifics of the cancer itself, but on the specifics of the patient. We also take many factors into consideration, including the patient’s past medical history, lifestyle, support system, and treatment goals. Once we account for all of these variables, we are left with a case that is as unique as a fingerprint. We feel that such a patient-centered approach is essential in the treatment of cancer.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal tumor is the fourth most normal kind of Cancer in the United States (third most normal in the event that you exclude skin Cancer). Colorectal Tumor influences the lower stomach related tract, including the colon and rectum. Every year in the United States, there are around 95,000 new instances of colon malignancy and 40,000 new instances of rectal tumor.

[caption id="attachment_134" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Colon cancer, artwork[/caption]

As indicated by the American Cancer Society, the lifetime danger of creating colorectal disease is around 1 of every 21 for men and 1 of every 23 for ladies. Hazard factors for creating colorectal malignancy include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• A lack of dietary fiber
• A diet low in vegetables
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Age (especially those older than 50)
• Personal history of colorectal polyps
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• Ethnicity (African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews are at higher risk)
• Having type 2 diabetes

As with almost all cancers, early diagnosis improves the chances of a good outcome. The following signs and symptoms can be caused by colorectal cancer:

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Dried blood in the stool
• Abdominal/pelvic cramping
• Bloating
• Change in the frequency of bowel movements
• Change in the caliber of bowel movements

In numerous cases, colorectal Tumor does not bring about any manifestations. This is the reason there has been such an accentuation in the course of the most recent couple of decades on screening colonoscopies. For most solid grown-ups, the primary colonoscopy ought to happen at age 50. In those with a family history of colorectal tumor, or who have concerning side effects, colonoscopies should start at a more youthful age. The upsides of colonoscopy are that it gives a visual take a gander at within the lower stomach related tract, while likewise taking into consideration evacuation of suspicious polyps. These polyps would then be able to be biopsied to give more data.

At the point when colorectal Cancer is analyzed, the malignancy is organized from I to IV contingent upon the qualities of the tumor, the inclusion of lymph hubs, and the degree of spread of the growth to removed destinations in the body. The regular treatment for colorectal Cancer ordinarily incorporates a few or the majority of the Below:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

These treatments can sometimes be very effective, but other times they result in incomplete resolution of the cancer. They sometimes result in symptoms which are quite severe and life-altering, including incontinence and significant food intolerance. As with any treatment, it is important to do thorough research into the various treatment approaches before making a decision.

In integrative oncology, we add to this approach by combining the best aspects of conventional treatment with natural approaches. Before deciding on a treatment plan, we must also consider many other patient factors, including:

• Previous medical history
• Chronic medical problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and digestive issues
• Diet and nutritional status
• Activity level and mobility
• Environmental exposures in the home and at work
• Sources of stress
• Support system, including family and friends
• Treatment goals

Once we account for these variables, each cancer case becomes as unique as a fingerprint. In the case of colorectal cancer, we have many tools at our disposal. These tools include advanced testing as well as innovative therapies that are on the cutting edge of science. The tools chosen for each patient are chosen in a very careful and personalized manner.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer can be separated into two sorts: exocrine and endocrine. Exocrine pancreatic tumor is the more typical of the two, and emerges from the exocrine organs of the pancreas that make pancreatic compounds to help process sustenance. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma contains around 95% of exocrine pancreatic growths. Different kinds of exocrine pancreatic malignancy incorporate squamous cell carcinoma, seal ring cell carcinoma, and adenosquamous carcinoma.

Endocrine pancreatic malignancy is exceptionally extraordinary, and involves around 5% of every single pancreatic disease. They have a tendency to have a more good forecast than exocrine pancreatic malignancies.

Hazard factors for pancreatic tumor include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Environmental chemicals such as those used in dry cleaning and metal working
• Older age
• Personal history of diabetes
• Personal history of liver cirrhosis
• Personal history of stomach problems, such as H. pylori and ulcers
• African American race
• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Lack of physical activity
• Heavy alcohol use

Pancreatic cancer is frequently found in later stages, once the tumor has already spread to other organs. Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Back pain
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stools
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss

Since the pancreas lies somewhere inside the stomach pit, it can't regularly be felt amid a physical exam. At the point when pancreatic malignancy is suspected, imaging, for example, a CT output, MRI, or ultrasound might be utilized to additionally explore. A biopsy is the best way to absolutely analyze pancreatic growth, which could conceivably be a choice relying upon the size and area of the tumor. There are likewise blood tests which are frequently positive in pancreatic disease, including tumor antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

Pancreatic malignancy is organized in light of attributes of the tumor, the nearness or nonattendance of lymph hubs included, and the degree of spread of disease. Pancreatic growth is given a phase from I to IV, with arrange I being kept to the pancreas and stage IV including spread to different organs. The most widely recognized site of spread of pancreatic tumor is to the liver.

Pancreatic growth has an extremely poor forecast, paying little heed to arrange. Stage I pancreatic malignancy has a five-year survival rate of around 13%, and organize IV has a five-year survival rate of under 1%.

Traditional treatment of pancreatic disease normally comprises of medical procedure, radiation, chemotherapy, or a mix of these. While these medications can be exceptionally compelling, those of us in integrative oncology trust that there are other great apparatuses in the stockpile. These include:

• Nutrition
• Supplementation
• Intravenous vitamins/minerals
• Off-label medications
• Visualization
• Prayer

The combination of treatments chosen, whether from the conventional realm or the natural realm, must be done in a very specific and personalized manner. This is when we must blend the science and art of medicine, creating a tailor-made program for each patient and his or her unique case. We feel that this is the best kind of medicine.

Credits: Advanced-med

What is Cancer of the Ovaries?

Tumor (Cancer) of the ovaries happens when typical ovarian cells change into harmful cells, which develop at a significantly more forceful rate. Ovarian growth isn't so regular as bosom tumor in ladies, however can regularly be all the more harming in light of the fact that ovarian disease is as often as possible undetected until the point that it has officially spread past the ovaries into other pelvic and stomach structures. In the United States every year, more than 20,000 ladies will be determined to have ovarian tumor and right around 15,000 ladies will pass on from ovarian disease. A lady's odds of getting ovarian tumor are around 1 of every 75, and it is the fifth most normal reason for disease passing among ladies.

Risk factors for developing ovarian cancer include:

• Older age (average age at diagnosis is 63)
• Caucasian ethnicity
• Being overweight or obese
• Never being pregnant
• Never carrying a pregnancy to full term
• Having a first full-term pregnancy after age 35
• History of tubal ligation
• Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy alone (without concurrent progesterone replacement therapy)
• Family history of female cancers such as ovarian, breast, or endometrial cancer

Many women do not have symptoms of ovarian cancer until it has progressed to a later stage. However, some symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Pain during sex
• Bloating
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Back pain
• Unintentional weight loss

When ovarian cancer is suspected, some form of imaging is typically ordered to look for an ovarian mass. Tests typically used are an ultrasound, CT scan, or an MRI. The only way to definitively diagnose it is to obtain a tissue sample, known as a biopsy. Because the ovaries are so small, and easily accessible by surgery, the ovaries are typically removed and a biopsy is taken at that time.

In the event that the biopsy is certain for ovarian tumor, the malignancy must be organized. Stage I implies that the tumor is limited to the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Stage II implies that the disease is has spread to different organs inside the pelvis (uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, sigmoid colon, or rectum). Stage III implies that the malignancy has either spread to lymph hubs in the back of the midriff, or past the pelvis to the covering of the stomach area. Stage IV is the most progressive stage, and signifies removed spread of the disease to organs, for example, the liver, spleen, and lungs.

Customary treatment for ovarian malignancy ordinarily includes medical procedure to expel the ovaries. The uterus may likewise be evacuated around then. Chemotherapy and radiation are additionally much of the time utilized, as is hormonal treatment. In integrative oncology, we likewise include different treatments which we feel are profitable for every patient and her particular ovarian growth case. These medications will ordinarily incorporate a blend of intravenous vitamins, minerals, cell reinforcements, and different treatments. Nourishment is additionally underlined, as are amazing dietary supplements. The medications decided for every patient are extraordinary, in light of a wide assortment of variables including specifics of the malignancy and additionally different things in the patient's history.

A definitive objective of integrative tumor treatment is to consolidate the best parts of present day prescription with the best normal treatments, and do as such in a way which best addresses every patient's issues.

What You Need to Know About #Cancer

Overview

Cancer is an umbrella term for a large group of diseases caused when abnormal cells divide rapidly, and spread to other tissue and organs. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.

Cancer Growth and Metastasis

In a healthy body, the trillions of cells it’s made of grow and divide, as the body needs them to function daily. Healthy cells have a specific life cycle, reproducing and dying off in a way that is determined by the type of cell. New cells take the place of old or damaged cells as they die. Cancer disrupts this process and leads to abnormal growth in cells. It’s caused by changes or mutations in DNA.

DNA exists in the individual genes of every cell. It has instructions that tell the cell what functions to perform and how to grow and divide. Mutations occur frequently in DNA, but usually cells correct these mistakes. When a mistake is not corrected, a cell can become cancerous.

Mutations can cause cells that should be replaced to survive instead of die, and new cells to form when they’re not needed. These extra cells can divide uncontrollably, causing growths called tumors to form. Tumors can cause a variety of health problems, depending on where they grow in the body.

But not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are noncancerous and do not spread to nearby tissues. Sometimes, they can grow large and cause problems when they press against neighboring organs and tissue. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can invade other parts of the body.

Some cancer cells can also migrate through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant areas of the body. This process is called metastasis. Cancers that have metastasized are considered more advanced than those that have not. Metastatic cancers tend to be harder to treat and more fatal.

Types of Cancer

Cancers are named for the area in which they begin and the type of cell they are made of, even if they spread to other parts of the body. For example, a cancer that begins in the lungs and spreads to the liver is still called lung cancer. There are also several clinical terms used for certain general types of cancer:

• Carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the skin or the tissues that line other organs.


• Sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.


• Leukemia is a cancer of bone marrow, which creates blood cells.


• Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers of the immune system.

Risk Factors and Treatment

The direct cause of cancer is changes (or mutations) to the DNA in your cells. Genetic mutations can be inherited. They can also occur after birth as a result of environmental forces. Some of these forces include:

• exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, called carcinogens


• exposure to radiation


• unprotected exposure to the sun


• certain viruses, such as human papilloma virus (HPV)


• smoking


• lifestyle choices, such as type of diet and level of physical activity

Cancer risk tends to increase with age. Some existing health conditions that cause inflammation may also increase your risk of cancer. An example is ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Knowing the factors that contribute to cancer can help you live a lifestyle that decreases your cancer risks. According to experts, these are the seven best ways to prevent cancer:

1. Stop using tobacco and avoid secondhand smoke.


2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
   
   
   
   • Limit your intake of processed meats.
   
   
   • Consider adopting a “Mediterranean diet” that focuses mainly on plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
   
   
   • Avoid alcohol, or drink in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than 65, and up to two drinks a day for men 65 years of age and younger.
   
   
   
   


3. Keep a healthy weight and stay active by getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.


4. Stay protected from the sun.
   
   
   
   • Cover up with clothing, sunglasses, and a hat, and apply sunscreen frequently.
   
   
   • Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
   
   
   • Stay in the shade as much as possible when you’re outside.
   
   
   • Avoid tanning beds and sunlight, which can damage your skin just as much as the sun.
   
   
   
   


5. Get vaccinated against viral infections that can lead to cancer, such as hepatitis B and HPV.


6. Don’t engage in risky behaviors. Practice safe sex and don’t share needles when using drugs or prescription medications. Only get tattoos at licensed parlors.


7. See your doctor regularly so they can screen you for various types of cancer. This increases your chances of catching any possible cancers as early as possible.

 

Cancer treatment has different objectives, depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. These objectives include:

• Finding a cure: This is not possible for all cancers and situations.


• Providing primary treatment: Killing the cancer cells in your body.


• Providing adjuvant treatment: Killing cancer cells that remain after primary treatment to reduce your risk of the cancer coming back.


• Providing palliative treatment: Relieving health symptoms associated with cancer, such as trouble breathing and pain.

The most common types of treatment are:

Surgery

Surgically removes as much of the cancer as possible.

Chemotherapy

Uses medications that are toxic to cells to kill rapidly-dividing cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Uses powerful, focused beams of radiation inside (brachytherapy) or outside (external beam radiation) your body to kill cancer cells.

Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant

Repairs diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can have a variety of functions. These transplants allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy to treat the cancer.

Immunotherapy (Biological Therapy)

Uses antibodies to help your body’s immune system recognize cancer so it can fight it off.

Hormone Therapy

Removes or blocks hormones that fuel certain cancers to stop cancer cells from growing.

Targeted Drug Therapy

Uses drugs to interfere with certain molecules that help cancer cells grow and survive.

Clinical Trials

Investigates new ways to treat cancer.

Alternative Medicine

Used to decrease symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and pain. Alternative medicine includes:

• acupuncture


• hypnosis


• massage


• yoga


• meditation


• relaxation techniques