Asbestos- uses, dangers, disposal…

Cancer simply defined is the abnormal growth of cells in some part of the body. It may occur in the brain, the lungs or even the breasts. This article will cover 2 different types of cancers and their causes. causes of cancer may be different depending on the type. However, one factor, heredity, results in both cancers.

It is difficult to ascertain the real causes of cancer. Still, heredity is cited as the principal cause. Family history places one at a high risk of developing cancer. Such cancers as brain and ovarian are often associated with hereditary factors. Cancer may also result in people who may have at one time or another suffered from the diseases. This makes prior history another cause of the diseases. Nonetheless, there are other factors that often linked to external environment that cause diverse types of cancer.

Smoking and air pollution are also said to cause cancer. Other factors that are said to cause cancer are radiation and even sunlight. Still, there are many forms of cancer. One of the most common cancers in the United States is lung cancer which is caused by smoking. In the US, 90% of the reported cases of lung cancer are as a result from cigarette smoking. This is especially true for active smokers. Still, passive smokers have a 24% chance of developing lung cancer. On the other hand, about 1% of lung cancers are as a result of air pollution. Consequently, the causes of lung cancer may lie in exposure to pollution from industries, power plants and commonly vehicles.

A victim’s personal situation can be linked to the development of certain cancers. Case in point, cancer in women is likely to be caused by hormones. According to reports, early menstruation and late menopauses in women is likely to result in breast cancer. Concomitantly, the use of hormone replacement therapy by post menopausal women exposes them to the risk of developing breast cancer. While there is no evidence in support of this, birth control pills are also said to be probable causes of breast cancer.

Causes of cancer are two pronged. These are prior history with the disease and heredity. Different forms of cancer have distinct causes. Hormones, use of hormone replacement therapy and the use of birth control pills are factors associated with the development of breast cancer. On the other hand, smoking and air pollution are said to be the likely lung cancer causes.

It’s difficult to say why one person would get Breast cancer and another would not. Sometimes it may seem that Breast cancer cannot be avoided but there are things that one can do to reduce the risk of this most painful and sometimes fatal disease. You can start by living a healthy lifestyle and taking charge of your health. If Cancer can’t be prevented, treatment is more likely to be successful if it’s found early.
Early detection is finding Breast cancer at an early state and is often easier to treat. Recognising symptoms and getting regular checkups help detect cancer early .Be aware of your body and don’t ignore changes, as the sooner a report is made to your doctor ,the sooner a problem can be dealt with.
Screening is the early detection of cancer by testing or checking for disease when one has no symptoms. Some cancers can be discovered this way and can be treated early.
It’s important to note that no screening test for cancer is 100% accurate. For example a screening test can show signs of cancer when there is none, or not show cancer when there is.

Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer starts in the cells of the breast tissue.and covers an area larger than just the breast.It extends up to the colar bone and from the armpit across to the breastbone in the centre of the chest.It can also be found in men but is very rare.Breast Cancer can happen at any age,but most cases occur in women over the age of 50.It can be found and successfully treated if detected early.
Breast Cancer Tests:
Mammography is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) a physical examination of the breast by a trained professional.
Some women have a higher risk for breast cancer and should consider testing regularly if you had breast cancer before; you have a history of breast biopsies; you have a family history of breast cancer.
You can also be more aware of how your breasts normally look and feel so that changes can be readily recognised. bear in mind that the breast feel different during the menstrual cycle.
Signs to look for:
• A lump or swelling in the armpit.
• Changes in size and shape of breast.
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin(orange peel skin)
• Redness, swelling and increased warmth in the infected breast.
• Inverted nipple, nipple turns inward.
• Crusting or scaling on the nipple.

Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix and grows very slowly. The cells of the cervix start to change and become abnormal. These abnormal cells are precancerous, meaning that they are not cancer. Precancerous changes to the cervix are called cervical dysplasia. Cervical cancer and cervical dysplasiain the early stages often do not cause any symptoms. Having regular tests can detect both and they can be treated successfully if diagnosed early.
Having multiple sexual partners , or becoming sexually active at an early age can put you at greater risk for developing cervical cancer. These factors increase your risk of being exposed to HPV. HPV is a group of viruses that can be passed easily from person to person through sexual contact. HPV infections are common and usually go away without treatment because the immune systemgets rid of the virus. Certain types of HPV virus can cause changes to cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer Tests:
Pap Test : laboratory examination of cells taken from the cervix to detect changes. It can detect changes early before cancer develops.
Pelvic Examination: A physical examination of the organs within the pelvis through the vagina.
These tests should be taken every 1 to 3 years.once you become sexually active.Even if you have stopped having sex, continue to have the tests.
Signs to Look for:
• Abnormal bleeding or bloodstained discharge from the vagina between periods
• Unusually long or heavy periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Watery discharge from the vagina
• Increased discharge from the vagina
• Bleeding from the vagina after menopause

Colorectal Cancer
Most colorectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the colon and rectum.Colorectal cancer often grows slowly and in a predictable way.. It may not cause any symptoms in its early stages as the abdomen has lots of room for the cancer to grow and develop.Screening tests often can detect the cancer before symptoms develop ,and it can be successfully treated if diagnosed early.

Colorectal Cancer Tests:
If you are 50 years or older , have a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every 2 years.
Colonoscopy: a test that lets the doctor look at the lining of the entire colon, using a thin flexible tube with a light and camera at the end.
Sigmoidoscopy: a test that lets the doctor look at the lining of the rectum and lower part of the colon,using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end.
Double Contrast Barium Enema: an x-ray of the colon and rectum,that uses a special dye called barium,that helps the doctor see the lining of the colon more clearly.
Higher risk if:
A family member has the disease; a personal history of colorectal cancer; diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease or polyps; inherited condition of colon cancer.
Signs to look for:
• General discomfort in the abdomen(bloating , fullness, cramps)
• Change in bowel habits eg. Diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in the stools
• Narrower than usual stools
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement
• Feeling that the bowels have not been completely emptied.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Weight loss.

Skin cancer
The different kinds of skin cancer begin in different kinds of cells in the skin.(Basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma cell
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your self from the sun. Protect skin from the sun especially between 11a.m. and 4p.m.,or when the UV index is 3 or higher. Stay in the shade or indoors , out of the sun during these times. Cover your skin if you have to be exposed to the rays of the sun,and wear a hat. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Wearing sunglasses can prevent damage to the eyes. Avoid using indoor tanning equipment. Check skin regularly.

Signs to Look for:
Changes in shape colour and size of birthmarks and moles
Sores that don’t heal
Patches of skin that bleed itch,or become red and bumpy.

Cancer, a condition resulting from abnormal cell division presents more than 100 types of cancer named after the organ or cell type from which they originate. Irregular splitting up of cells that afterward attacks various body tissues normally causes Cancer diseases. Cancer stretches to various body parts with time making the cancerous cells malignant. If not treated immediately after diagnosis, it can cause complicated illnesses that can cause death. The leading cause of deaths is cancer with almost two-thirds of it being caused by ecological factors. There are various environmental causes of cancer with the term environment referring to the external environment as well as the personal environment.

When determining what factors in the environmental cause cancer, various factors can be attributed to it. The causes of cancer can either be tied to the external or personal environment. The personal environment factors likely to cause the cancer include lifestyle preferences like tobacco and diet. Tobacco has been said to be the cause of about one third of deaths caused by cancer yearly. Ultra violet rays arising from sunlamps, the sun itself or tanning beds are known to cause various kinds of skin cancer like melanoma. The environmental causes of cancer arise from lifestyle factors and exposure to water or air agents. Some of the different environmental agents likely to cause cancer include occupational exposures, ionizing radiation, chemicals, medical drugs and even alcohol.

In the past years, epidemiologists have made estimates concerning the death rates and new cases of cancer that arise due to environmental agents. Tobacco is believed to cause over 30 percent cancer deaths. Air and water pollution, medical procedures and medicine cause other cancer cases. When determining what environmental factors cause cancer, remember that there are a number of environmental factors causing cancer. Ionizing radiation presents another environmental element that causes cancer. Being exposed to rays from sources such as cosmic rays, nuclear bomb tests, radon, X-rays, and atomic bombs also causes cancer.

Carcinogens are materials that increase the chances or risk of cancer. When determining what environmental factors cause cancer, consider environmental carcinogens. These carcinogens may make direct or indirect damages to the DNA and may cause cancer. This is a probable explanation as to why not every environmental exposure to carcinogens may cause cancer. The time span of the exposure and its intensity is also a determining factor of whether one will develop cancer. A number of known environmental carcinogens include chemical surfactants, water or air pollution, and various infectious agents like parasites, bacteria and viruses.

In general, major environmental causes of cancer are linked to the external and personal environment. The external environment elements causing cancer include environmental pollutants, radiation and sun exposure among others. An individual’s personal environment inclusive of lifestyle choices like tobacco, diet and nutrition are also a risk factor.