Cancer is a general term used for a wide range of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used include malignant tumors and neoplasms. Cancer is a disease where some cells in the body grow uncontrollably and then invade adjacent parts of the body and spread to other areas. These abnormal cells are called cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Cancer generally has the ability to spread throughout the body.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. According to data from 2020, cancer is responsible for approximately 10 million deaths globally. According to the same data, the two most common new cancer cases in 2020 were breast cancer and lung cancer. However, in terms of the leading causes of death, lung cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer occupy the top two spots.
There are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named after the place where it starts. For example, cancer that starts in the stomach is called stomach cancer, and even if it spreads to other parts of the body (metastasizes), it is still referred to as stomach cancer. Thanks to advancements in cancer screening, treatment, and prevention, survival rates for many types of cancer are high. For many people, cancer can be successfully treated.
The three most common types of cancer in men, women, and children are:
Men: Lung, prostate, and colorectal (Colon Cancer)
Women: Breast, lung, and colorectal (Colon Cancer)
Children: Leukemia (Blood Cancer), brain tumors, and lymphoma (Lymph Cancer)
What are the Symptoms of Cancer?
Cancer symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. However, it should be noted that many people may not see cancer symptoms or signs until it has reached a very advanced stage.
The two most important steps in fighting cancer are to have regular medical check-ups and to be alert to any abnormal findings or complaints. Early diagnosis is crucial for cancer treatment.
The general symptoms of cancer are listed below. These symptoms do not definitively mean that you have cancer. However, if you experience any of the listed symptoms, it is advisable to visit a cancer treatment clinic or center and undergo the necessary tests under a doctor’s supervision.
Common Cancer Symptoms are as follows:
- Unprecedented and inconsistent pain in different parts of the body or bones
- Abnormal loss of appetite and weight loss
- Persistent fatigue, difficulty swallowing, indigestion, and nausea
- Persistent or intermittent low-grade fever
- Persistent sore throat
- Recurrent infections
- Unexpected bleeding or persistent pain in the anus or throat area
- Cough or hoarseness
- Changes in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloody urine
- Bleeding between menstrual periods or other abnormal conditions
- Thickening and lumps in the breasts, testicles, or other parts of the body
- Bleeding after menopause
What are the Types of Cancer?
More than 200 types of cancer have been identified so far. Some types of cancer, even if they start in the same organ, are named differently if they originate from different cell types. This affects the treatment and survival rates of the cancer. For example, lung cancer is classified into two main categories: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancers are further subdivided into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the skin or the tissues that line internal organs. Examples include skin, lung, colon, pancreas, and ovarian cancers. Types include epithelial, squamous, and basal cell carcinomas, melanomas, papillomas, and adenomas.
Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissues. Examples include osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Types include lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL and CLL), myeloid leukemias (AML and CML), T-cell leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia.
Lymphoma and Myeloma
Lymphoma and myeloma are types of cancer that begin in the cells of the immune system. Examples include T and B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and lymphoproliferative lymphomas.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers
CNS cancers are a group of cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Examples include gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, primary CNS lymphomas, and neuroectodermal tumors.
Metastatic Cancers
Metastatic cancer cells are distinguished by being different from the cells in the tissue where they are found. These cells are present in a tissue where the cancer cells did not originally develop. The primary (original cancer tissue) can be identified from the cell structure. For example, the primary focus might be prostate cancer that has spread to the bone (metastasized). This is not “bone cancer” that starts in the bone cells.
What are the Stages of Cancer?
When cancer is found, tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans are done to see how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started. Based on these, the cancer stage is determined.
Stages like Stage 1 or 2 indicate that the cancer cells have not yet spread much to other areas, while Stage 3 or 4 indicate that the cancer cells have spread to other areas. Stage 4 is the highest stage. The stage of cancer is very important in determining the treatment.
What are the Risk Factors for Cancer?
Cancer risk factors can be listed as follows:
Family History
Only a small portion of cancers are caused by an inherited condition. If there is cancer in the family, it is likely that mutations can be passed on to subsequent generations. For example, a woman with a family history of breast cancer may have a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer. However, having an inherited genetic mutation does not necessarily mean you will get cancer.
Personal Habits
Some lifestyle choices are known to increase your cancer risk. Dietary habits (consumption of salted, smoked, canned, and/or dried meat), smoking, alcohol use, excessive sun exposure or sunburns, obesity, and unsafe sex can contribute to cancer.
Health Conditions
Certain chronic health conditions such as ulcerative colitis and hepatitis can significantly increase your risk of developing specific cancers.
Environmental Factors
Your environment may contain harmful chemicals that can increase your cancer risk. Even if you do not smoke, you can be affected as a passive smoker if you frequent places where people smoke or live with a smoker. Chemicals like asbestos and benzene in your home or workplace can also increase your cancer risk.
Is it Possible to Reduce Cancer Risk? Changing some habits can help reduce the risk of cancer.
- If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
- Avoid alcohol. If you do consume it, do so in moderation.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Eat healthily. Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Opt for whole grains and lean proteins. Limit your intake of processed meats.
- Regular exercise is linked to a lower risk of cancer. Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Being overweight or obese can increase your cancer risk. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Strive to create a life free from stress and anxiety. Strengthen your thoughts and beliefs that your life is happy, healthy, and peaceful.
- Get screened for cancer. Based on your age and cancer risk factors, don’t forget to get cancer screening tests (smear, breast ultrasound, mammography, chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, colonoscopy, endoscopy, etc.).
- Vaccinations. Vaccines can help prevent viruses such as hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which increases the risk of cervical cancer. Consult your doctor to see if vaccination against these viruses is suitable for you.
Even if you have been diagnosed with cancer, early diagnosis makes it much easier to treat a disease that has not progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore, it is very important to be careful and observant and to have the necessary check-ups performed.