Experiencing cancer can be life-threatening. Cancer not only attacks you physically but also drains you mentally. Learning that you are suffering from cancer can give you intense feelings of anxiety, shock, grieve, disappointment and pain. These feelings are obvious when someone is diagnosed with cancer. Coping with the emotional up-down condition of cancer, demand healthy ways to deal with the feelings. Paying attention to cancer symptoms and causes can be helpful in diagnosing cancer early.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a complex term to explicate. It usually occurs when our body cell of a particular part starts growing abnormally. Cancer ruins the body’s normal control mechanism where old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells form a tumour, mass of tissues. The tumour can be cancerous or non-cancerous. But few types of cancers like leukaemia do not form tumours.

Types of Cancer?

Some types of cancer show rapid cell growth than others.

Most of the body's cells have specific functions and fixed lifespans. While it may sound like a bad thing, cell death is part of a natural and beneficial phenomenon called apoptosis.

A cell receives instructions to die so that the body can replace it with a newer cell that functions better. Cancerous cells lack the components that instruct them to stop dividing and to die.

How cancer is diagnosed?

Cancer can be diagnosed by various methods based on the symptoms and signs.

• Physical Exam: Examine the lumps/tumours in the body, changes in skin colour, enlargement of an organ.
• Laboratory tests: Urine and blood tests
• Imaging tests: CT scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, cancer screening tests, etc.
• Biopsy: Depending on the types of cancer and its location.

What Causes Cancer?

• Smoking and Tobacco
• Diet and Physical Activity
• Sun and Other Types of Radiation
• Viruses and Other Infections
• Genetics

What are the Treatment Options?

There are many treatment options available depending on the type and stage of your cancer. Your doctor can weigh the benefits and risks of each cancer treatment to determine which is best for you.

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