Basic Facts about Cancer
- Date: 2007-01-05 - Word Count: 722
Share This!
Cancer is a disease in which the body cells grow uncontrollably because their normal regulatory mechanisms have been damaged. There are literally hundreds of different types and subtypes of cancer however the majority form solid tumours in specific areas of the body. The most common cancers are skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer and prostate cancer. Unfortunately the disease is very proficient at spreading through the blood and the lymphatic system and so in advanced cancer cases it is not uncommon to see secondary tumours in far off areas of the body.
The Genetics of Cancer
One of the most important breakthroughs in cancer research came in the late 1970s when scientists discovered that all types of cancer begin with the genetic material within normal body cells becoming damaged. Every cell contains genetic information in the form of more than 90,000 pairs of genes which work together to control the activities of the cell. A cell can become cancerous when specific genes, such as those that control division, become damaged beyond repair. How and why genes become damaged is still a hot topic for research however it would seem that faulty genes are either inherited or they are caused by carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), for example sunlight and cigarette smoke.
Our body cells are continually exposed to carcinogens however in the majority of cases cancer doesn't develop. There are a number of reasons why this is so, for example:
� Cells can normally repair their own damaged genes so that they continue to function properly. � More than one gene has to be damaged in order for cancer to develop.
� The body's immune system can normally kill any cancer cells before they get the chance to multiply and form a tumour.
The Causes of Cancer
Although most cancers appear to be caused by several factors, including genetic/inherited ones, a main environmental cause can often be identified for a particular cancer i.e. smoking cigarettes is commonly associated with lung cancer.
Approximately 35% of stomach cancer and prostate cancer cases are related to diets of unhealthy foods with little or no fresh fruit and vegetables. 30% of lung, breast, colon, cervical and throat cancers are related to tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars. 10% of skin cancer cases are related to the sun and UV rays. 7% of lymphoma, leukaemia, bone cancer and liver cancer cases are related to viruses such as Epstein Barr, HIV, Hepatitis C etc. Pesticides and chemicals, or occupational factors figure into 4% or mouth, throat, stomach and lymphoma cancer cases. Approx 3% of stomach, colon and liver cancer have been linked to excessive consumption of alchohol.
Aging and Cancer
Cancer is most common among older people, largely because their cells have had more time to accumulate genetic damage, but also because the body's defences against cancer, particularly the cells and proteins of the immune system, gradually become less efficient with age. In addition a cancer that began earlier in life may not be diagnosed until old age because it can take years for some types of cancer, most noticeably prostate cancer, to grow large enough to produce noticeable symptoms.
Because life expectancy has increased dramatically over the last 50 years it means that cancer is now one of the most common causes of death in the developed world, second only to coronary heart disease.
Cancer treatment today
For over 2000 years, doctors have attempted to cure cancer by surgically removing visible tumours. For some localised cancers radiotherapy is very effective and this treatment is often combined with surgery with the aim of achieving a cure. Treatment with anti-cancer drugs, known as chemotherapy, may be used instead of or in combination with surgery to destroy cancers that have unfortunately already spread around the body.
New therapies for the treatment of cancer that are currently being assessed include inactivating the damaged genes so that they no longer send messages to the cell, and boosting the body's natural immune system so that it has the ability to destroy any cancerous cells. These therapies are still in the experimental phase however both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of the UK, i.e. Cancer Research, are working towards making them viable treatment options for future generation.
------
Andrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author of many successful websites including CancerAbout, a Cancer Resource site and a Mesothelioma Lawyer Resource site.
The Genetics of Cancer
One of the most important breakthroughs in cancer research came in the late 1970s when scientists discovered that all types of cancer begin with the genetic material within normal body cells becoming damaged. Every cell contains genetic information in the form of more than 90,000 pairs of genes which work together to control the activities of the cell. A cell can become cancerous when specific genes, such as those that control division, become damaged beyond repair. How and why genes become damaged is still a hot topic for research however it would seem that faulty genes are either inherited or they are caused by carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), for example sunlight and cigarette smoke.
Our body cells are continually exposed to carcinogens however in the majority of cases cancer doesn't develop. There are a number of reasons why this is so, for example:
� Cells can normally repair their own damaged genes so that they continue to function properly. � More than one gene has to be damaged in order for cancer to develop.
� The body's immune system can normally kill any cancer cells before they get the chance to multiply and form a tumour.
The Causes of Cancer
Although most cancers appear to be caused by several factors, including genetic/inherited ones, a main environmental cause can often be identified for a particular cancer i.e. smoking cigarettes is commonly associated with lung cancer.
Approximately 35% of stomach cancer and prostate cancer cases are related to diets of unhealthy foods with little or no fresh fruit and vegetables. 30% of lung, breast, colon, cervical and throat cancers are related to tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars. 10% of skin cancer cases are related to the sun and UV rays. 7% of lymphoma, leukaemia, bone cancer and liver cancer cases are related to viruses such as Epstein Barr, HIV, Hepatitis C etc. Pesticides and chemicals, or occupational factors figure into 4% or mouth, throat, stomach and lymphoma cancer cases. Approx 3% of stomach, colon and liver cancer have been linked to excessive consumption of alchohol.
Aging and Cancer
Cancer is most common among older people, largely because their cells have had more time to accumulate genetic damage, but also because the body's defences against cancer, particularly the cells and proteins of the immune system, gradually become less efficient with age. In addition a cancer that began earlier in life may not be diagnosed until old age because it can take years for some types of cancer, most noticeably prostate cancer, to grow large enough to produce noticeable symptoms.
Because life expectancy has increased dramatically over the last 50 years it means that cancer is now one of the most common causes of death in the developed world, second only to coronary heart disease.
Cancer treatment today
For over 2000 years, doctors have attempted to cure cancer by surgically removing visible tumours. For some localised cancers radiotherapy is very effective and this treatment is often combined with surgery with the aim of achieving a cure. Treatment with anti-cancer drugs, known as chemotherapy, may be used instead of or in combination with surgery to destroy cancers that have unfortunately already spread around the body.
New therapies for the treatment of cancer that are currently being assessed include inactivating the damaged genes so that they no longer send messages to the cell, and boosting the body's natural immune system so that it has the ability to destroy any cancerous cells. These therapies are still in the experimental phase however both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of the UK, i.e. Cancer Research, are working towards making them viable treatment options for future generation.
------
Andrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author of many successful websites including CancerAbout, a Cancer Resource site and a Mesothelioma Lawyer Resource site.
Related Tags: cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, carcinogens, lung cancer, skin cancer, bowel cancer, cancer research, cancer information, advanced cancer, advanced cancer cases, cancer-causing agents, cancer causing agents, cancer causing, causes of cancer
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- How Hypnotherapy Can be Used on Children
Today Hypnosis can be termed as a branch of medicine which is quite unique, whereas in the past this - Confidence Workshops For Children
Every parent wants their children to be confident, happy, highly motivated and enthusiastic in order - Inspiring Children Using NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is one of the most successful therapies in psychology today. Init - Writing Term Papers
Students often tend to put off a written assignment, considering it to be a chore too formidable to - Naming In Term Paper
Give a descriptive name to each of your concept in the paper. Adhere using terms like "our approach" - Introduction Section of a Research Paper
Your introductions should not exceed more than two pages (typed, double spaced). See again the examp - Getting a Feedback of Your Term Paper is Important!
Get the feedback of your work! Finish your paper, having written it well in advance, so that you hav - The 1950's - Was Life Better?
Iconic TV shows like I Love Lucy, Dennis the Menace and My Three Sons seem to indicate that the 1950 - Online Classroom Systems Makes Home Schooling Even More Attractive
In the past it went without saying that you would send your kids to public schools. With public scho - 8 Helpful Tips For Surviving Military Basic Training
Getting through military basic training takes a lot perseverance. During this training it is best to
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Culinary Cooking Schools and What They Teach
Culinary cooking schools prepare you for a job in the culinary industry by providing you with the kn - How To Learn Spanish Quickly Without Moving To Spain
Learning Spanish is a popular pastime, as well as a serious goal for many individuals. Whether it's - How To Improve Your Life With An Accredited Online College Degree
With the information super highway raring full steam ahead, quality accredited online college degree - Online Bachelor Degree Programs Go Mainstream
The Internet has seen an explosion in online bachelor degree programs in the last five to ten years - Online Degree Program Just A Click Away
You want to go shopping, but your car is low on gas. You want to know your account balance, but do n - Online Paralegal Degree Will Open Doors
An online paralegal degree may offer the possibility of improving your chances in the legal professi - What West Point Military School Looks For In A Candidate
West Point is looking for well rounded young men and women who are good students, good athletes, and - The Importance of Effective Accounting Programs
In the past, small businesses like mom and pop stores were not required to maintain any sort of acco - California Schools Educators Retirement System And Lionstone Group Create Investment Fund
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CSTRS) is the second largest public pension fund i - A Taste of China - Seattle Schools New Guest Teacher Shares Language and Culture of Her Native Hom
The Seattle schools have a new "guest" teacher. Zhu Dan arrived in the Seattle schools in January