Understanding Cancer

by Blecenda Varona*

Source: Prevention and Control of Cancer through Dietary Modification

Avoid the following Carcinogens or Cancer Promoting Substances

CIGARETTE SMOKING Is the #1 cause of cancer The numerous carcinogenic agents found in cigarette smoke not only cause lung and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus, it also increases the risk of many other cancers, acute lung disease and other chronic diseases. Smoking accounts for more than 85% of lung cancer deaths

VIRUSES Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the most common cause of liver cancer in the Philippines. HBV infant vaccination can prevent majority of liver cancer. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)causes cancer of the uterine cervix and is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Safe sex and the use of barrier protective devices such as condoms are currently the most effective means of preventing sexually transmitted diseases. ESTROGEN Estrogen causes breast cancer

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS The sun's violet rays are capable of causing skin cancer, particularly in fair-skinned persons. Excessive sun exposure should be avoided, and the use of umbrellas, wide brimmed hats and sun-block lotion are encouraged.

Can cancer be prevented? 1/3 of all cancers are preventable. Cancer protecting mechanisms prevent cancer. A healthy lifestyle that is started in childhood, particularly eating a healthy diet, maintaining physical fitness and minimizing and properly coping with stress

will decrease the risk of not only cancer but also chronic diseases. HEALTHY DIET Is a high carbohydrate, low-fat diet, rich in starchy foods (such as cereals, tubers and pulses) and including a substantial intake of fruits and vegetables. The micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables such as vitamins and minerals maintain the defense mechanism that protect the body. Unhealthy diet is one that is rich in fat, salt and free sugars, and/or in smoked, saltpickled and salt-preserved foods. PHYSICAL FITNESS Is achieved through a life-long active lifestyle. Physically fit individuals are not overweight, are quite productive in their jobs, have a high self-esteem and are more able to cope with stress. Mental, social, psychological and spiritual stress seems to accompany economic progress, and at the same time erodes the coping mechanism. While increasing stress may be inevitable, traditional support structures within the family and community should be strengthened, and new institutional mechanisms established, to help individuals and families cope with day-to-day stress. Can cancer be cured? 1/3 of all cancers can be cured. Majority of cancers can be cured if they are detected early. The following common cancers can be detected early and when treated properly can be cured. They are BREAST, CERVIX, COLON, RECTUM, ORAL, THYROID and PROSTATE. While preventable cancers are LUNG and LIVER. The Top leading cancer sites among Filipino males are as follows:

Cancer Site 1.Lung 2.Liver 3.Colon/Rectum 4.Prostate 5.Stomach 6.Leukemia 7.Nasopharynx 8.Oral Cavity 9.Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 10.Lrynx

Incidence/10 Population 13,273 5,660 4,737 4,254 2,368 2,243 1,990 1,563 1,468 1,464

While the top leading cancer site among Filipino females are:

Cancer Site 1.Breast 2.Cervix Uteri 3.Lung 4.Colon/Rectum 5.Ovary 6.Thyroid 7.Liver 8.Leukemia 9.Corpus Uteri 10.Stomach

Incidence/10 Population 14,043 7,277 3,965 3,848 3,283 2,766 1,969 1,959 1,777 1,564

9 Warning Signals of Cancer C-hange in Bowel or Urinary Habits A-sore that does not heal U-nusual bleeding or discharge T-hickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere I-ndigestion or difficulty in swallowing O-bvious change in wart or mole N-agging cough or hoarseness U-nexplained anemia S-udden unexplained weight loss

*Ms. Blecenda Varona is a nutritionist and businesswoman. She is a lecturer of GAD-related topics on Cancers, Food and Nutrition.

http://www.coa.gov.ph/gad/articles/understanding_cancer_042006.htm

'Breast cancer is now most common cancer in both sexes'

(The Philippine Star) Updated May 17, 2011 12:00 AMComments (0)

MANILA, Philippines - Breast cancer will overtake lung cancer as the leading deadly disease among Filipino women and men this year, a report by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) showed.

Citing the PCSs 2010 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimate, PCS chair Dr. Roberto Paterno said breasts would side step lungs as the most common cancer site in the country.

This is significant as far as the national cancer control program is concerned as we need to intensify efforts to save our women from this deadly disease through early prevention and detection, Paterno said.

He added the country would have to raise public awareness about cancer and make treatment affordable and easily available for poor patients.

The report showed that breast cancer will be the leading site for both sexes combined (15 percent) and will rank 1st among women, accounting for 28 percent of all cases.

This year, an estimated 12,262 new cases will occur among women while some 4,371 will die of breast cancer.

Following breasts as cancer sites are lungs, liver, cervix, colon, thyroid, rectum, ovary, and prostate. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer was also considered.

For women, the five common cancer sites are lungs, liver, prostate, colon and rectum, followed by breasts, cervix, ovary, and thyroid.

Paterno said the decrease in breast cancer cases could be attributed to the womens increased awareness about the disease, enabling them to do self-screening of their breast or have it done by medical professionals.

The PCS report underscored the need for women to do self-examination and undergo annual breast examination when they reach 30.

The PCS and the Department of Health have embarked on a P15-million program that will provide free treatment for women with early stage cancer this year.

Under the program, poor patients can undergo a six-cycle treatment that is worth P36, 000 to P180, 000 each.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=686830&publicationSubCategoryId=

Defining Cancer
Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start - for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in basal cells of the skin is called basal cell carcinoma. Cancer types can be grouped into broader categories. The main categories of cancer include:

Carcinoma - cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma - cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia - 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 blood. Lymphoma and myeloma - cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers - cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

(For definitions of other cancer-related terms, see NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms.)

Origins of Cancer
All cancers begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand cancer, it's helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancer cells. The body is made up of many types of cells. These cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. However, sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them. The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor.

(Image from Understanding Cancer Series: Cancer.) Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors aren't cancerous. They can often be removed, and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cells in these tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis.

Some cancers do not form tumors. For example, leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood.

Cancer Statistics
A report from the nation's leading cancer organizations shows that rates of death in the United States from all cancers for men and women continued to fall between 2003 and 2007, the most recent reporting period available. (Read more about the Annual Report.) Estimated new cases and deaths from cancer in the United States in 2011:

New cases: 1,596,670 (does not include nonmelanoma skin cancers) Deaths: 571,950

NCI's Cancer Stat Fact Sheets provide frequently requested cancer statistics for a number of cancer types.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer

National Cancer Institute

at the National Institutes of Health

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