Cancer and Biology - Research Paper Example

? Cancer and biology Cancer and biology Cancer describes diseases whose growth of cells is beyond control. There are numerous categories of cancer with each category exuding distinct tendencies based on areas initially affected. Scientists report that more than one hundred cancer types exist in the world today. The presence of cancer in the body leads to the damage of the body cells that undergo unrestrained division to form tumors. Consequently, tumors correspond to lumps of tissue. It is only in the case of leukemia that cancer does not allow division of the cell as the normal function of the blood. The growth of the tumors leads to the interference of circulatory, digestive and the nervous systems. Tumors also release hormones that change the functions of the body. However, not all tumors are dangerous in nature. Tumors that do not grow and move can be beneficial to the body (Ruddon, 2007). The dangers and malignancy of tumors occur in either of the two conditions. The initial condition is apparent when a cancerous cell uses the lymph system and blood to move throughout the body. As the cell moves, it destroys the healthy tissues of the body. This procedure is called invasion. The second condition is when the cancerous cell manages to undergo division and growth. As this happens, the cell will make fresh blood vessels to feed itself in a process denoted as angiogenesis. Metastasization occurs when the tumor manages to extend to other body parts and grow. As a result, it will invade and destroy additional healthy tissues of the body. The spread of cancer The driving force behind the spread of cancer is their adhesive nature that enables them to stick on human tissues. The cancerous cells unstuck at the site of the original tumor based on cellular molecular interactions and the scaffolding of the cells. This makes them dislodge and carry on with their movements. The cells then reattach on contact with new sites. The metastatic tumors are responsible for cancer mortality. Metastatic tumors are those that grow out of the cells that have relocated from the sites of origin to other parts of the body. Apparently, the tumors in their original sites are responsible for only ten per cent of cancer fatalities. The metastatic disease can be prevented when mechanisms are adopted to stop the cancer cells from sticking to body tissues. This can stop the growth tumors in the secondary states (Bozzone, 2007). Causes of cancer Cancer results from the uncontrollable growth cells that are not fatal. Ordinary cells follow the normal path of growth, division, and death. The demise of cells in a planned way is called apoptosis. The breaks down of this program lead to the formation of cancer. It is clear that cancer cells do not undergo programmed deaths as other regular cells. They instead keep up with growth and continue to grow. This culminates in the formation of a network of abnormal cells whose growth is out of control. However, most of the causes of cancer come from external interventions. The main causes of cancer are related with the environmental risk factors like radiations. When one exposes himself to radiations of high levels such as x-rays and therapies, the normal body cells are damaged. This increases the dangers of acquiring leukemia, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and stomach cancer. Besides, the ultraviolet radiation that originates from the sun culminates in skin cancer that damages the melanoma. The harmful rays from the sun can cause early aging and skin damages (Bozzone, 2007). The other causes of cancer are viruses, chemicals, tobacco, alcohol, and poor diet. Viruses such as human papillomaviruses (HPV), Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis B and C are responsible for causing infectious mononucleosis that increases the risks of acquiring cancer. Additionally, diseases that affect the immune body system of the body such as AIDS make the body vulnerable to cancers. As such, chemicals such as asbestos, radon, nickel, uranium, pesticides, and the benzene also enhance the risks of acquiring cancer. Some chemicals contain carcinogens that either act alone or upon combination with other carcinogens found in cigarette smoke to increase the chances of acquiring cancers and other diseases of the lung (Master, 2003). Smoking cigarettes and regularly exposing oneself to tobacco increases the risk of lung cancer. One who smokes cigarettes regularly increases their chances of developing other types of multiple cancers. These cancers might attack larynx, pancreas, kidney, esophagus, larynx, bladder, and the mouth. Besides, smoking can also lead to the development of prostrate, stomach, rectum, colon, and liver cancers. The likelihood of cancer acquiring cancer from tobacco decreases when the smoker quits smoking. When one quits using tobacco, he increases the chances of reducing his chances precancerous conditions. The other cause of cancer is alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases the risk of acquiring mouth, liver, larynx, throat, and esophagus cancers. It is evident that persons who drink moderately can acquire breast cancer. Cancers caused by smoking cigarettes and alcohol consumption can be easily prevented if one stops smoking or drinking (Ko, Dollinger, & Rosenbaum, 2009). Poor dietary choices also cause cancer related to the uterus, colon, and the prostrate. This majorly occurs when one consumes foods rich in cholesterol and high fat. The resultant obesity that results from high intake of cholesterol and high fat is prone to cause breast cancer and other cancers related with the uterus, ovary, prostrate, pancreas, ovary, and the colon. Cancers that are caused from unhealthy choices of food can be prevented by consuming healthy choices of food and sound balanced diet. The balanced diets should include foods rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals as well as those with low contents of fat (Doll & Peto, 2010). The treatment of cancer The treatment of cancer can take many forms and procedures. Depending on the cancer, a doctor can either perform chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, radiation, and transplant of the affected organs. In radiation therapy, doctors use high energy to inactivate and destroy the cancerous cells. Some of the radiations used include gamma rays and x-rays. In surgery, otherwise referred to as cryosurgery, doctors subjects the patient to extreme cold environments for the destruction of abnormal tissues. Liquid nitrogen can be used to create a tremendously cold setting for treatment (Ko, Dollinger, & Rosenbaum, 2009). Relationship between cancer and biology Cancer is a disease characterized by the presence of genes that are twisted in the body. Biologically, cells in the body should grow, divide and die but the presence of cancerous genes causes damages to the cells. These cells reproduce abnormally without any restraint. Consequently, they move to adjacent tissues from where they grow in the entire body (Ruddon, 2007). References Bozzone, D. M. (2007). Causes of Cancer. New York, NY: Facts on File. Doll, R., & Peto, R. (2010). The causes of cancer: quantitative estimates of avoidable risks of cancer in the United States today. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. Ko,A. H., Dollinger, M., & Rosenbaum, E. (2009). Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy: How Cancer Is Diagnosed, Treated, and Managed Day to Day. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing. Master, F. J. (2003). Cancer. New York, NY: B. Jain Publishers. Ruddon, R. W. (2007). Cancer Biology. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. Read More