Auses and Effects of Cancer - Case Study Example

Outline Introduction Definition of Cancer Examples/Types of cancers (skin, lung, liver, stomach, bone, thyroid) Cancer Statistics in the World and inthe U.S. Causes of Cancer Genetics Tobacco Ultra-violet Exposure and Sunlight and Radiations Physical Activity and Diet Effects of Cancer Death Pain Negative Effects that Result from Cancer Treatments Loss of Livelihoods Prevention of Cancer Healthy Diet and Physical Activity Avoid exposure to radiations Avoid tobacco Avoid over-exposure to sunlight Early diagnosis and Treatment Conclusion Generally, the individual has a major role to play in preventing cancer Causes and Effects of Cancer Introduction Cancer is a wide group of ailments characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Cancer causes harm to the body when cells that are damaged divide without regulation to form tumors (with the exception of leukemia). A tumor can develop to the point of interfering with the circulatory, nervous or digestive systems according to Medical News Today (2013). They can also harm the body by releasing hormones that change body functions. When a tumor stays in one location and grows to a limited extent, it is often considered to be benign. Malignant tumors which are more dangerous form either when cancerous cells invade and destroy healthy tissues as they move though the body via the nymph systems or blood, or when they divide and develop to a point of making new blood vessels with which they feed themselves. Scientists note that there are more than one hundred different types of cancer going by the cell type they affect initially (Medical News Today 2013). Some common types of cancer include breast cancer, brain cancer, leukemia (blood cancer), bone cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and thyroid, just to mention a few. Statistics indicate that in 2007, cancer led to the death of about 7.6 million people in the world (Medical News Today 2013). Findings show that cancer cases are on the rise, the main reason for this trend is people’s change of lifestyle. This paper will discuss the causes and effects of cancer, and how cancer can be prevented. Causes of Cancer Mutation and Genetics Generally, cancer results when cells that are subject to uncontrolled growth flourish and do not die. While this is the case, there are a number of factors that may cause cancer or predispose a healthy person to the disease. One major factor that causes cancer is DNA mutation or damage. When DNA in a gene is damaged or undergoes mutation, the gene may also get damaged thereby affecting cell division negatively. In this case, cancer occurs when gene mutations in a cell cause it (the cell) to be incapable of correcting DNA damage and therefore fails to die when it should actually die (Medical News Today 2013). Cancer may also affect an individual due to a genetic predisposition that is inherited from members of the family. In this respect, an individual can born with certain genetic mutations or a faulty gene that may make them more likely to have the disease in the course of their life. Tobacco Carcinogens are a group of substances that are known to cause cancer. Carcinogens include tobacco, alcohol, asbestos, gamma rays, arsenic, and x-rays. Some non-fibrous particulate materials that are known to induce cancer in the human body include silica, nickel, cobalt, and lead. Research has shown that there is a relationship between tobacco consumption and cancer. Tobacco smoking is commonly associated with pancreas, stomach, kidney, lung, and cancer. Tobacco smoke, according to scientists, contains more than 50 carcinogens, most prominent being polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines (Kuper, Adami & Boffetta 2002). Statistics indicate that tobacco causes about 33% of all cancer deaths in Europe and America and one in five deaths the world over. Sun Rays and Other Radiations The sun’s ultraviolet radiations are important to plants and animals. Furthermore the sun’s radiations help to keep the planet warmth and therefore greatly contribute to the sustenance of life. While this is the case, studies have shown that close to many invasive and non-invasive cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet and other radiations. Exposure to radiations (ionizing and non-ionizing) can cause cancer in different pats of the body. Cancers caused by radiations often take between two and 40 years to clinically manifest (Little 2000). While radiations can cause cancers, they can also be used to treat certain types of cancers. The use of ionizing radiation to treat cancers or for medical imaging is believed to contribute massively to the induction of second cancers. Diet, Obesity, and physical Inactivity Humans need to feed and exercise to remain healthy. One of the main factors that cause cancer is diet. Closely related to diet and inactivity is obesity which is a condition that has been closely associated with cancer. Studies have shown that between 30 and 35 percent of cancer deaths are related to obesity, diet, and sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity (Anand et al. 2008). Several cancers have been linked to diets that are low in fruits, whole grain and vegetables. Similarly, diets that are high in cholesterol, salt, or that are highly processed are associated with higher cancer risks. When the body is inactive, the endocrine and immune systems are negatively affected to the point that the body cannot fight against diseases effectively. Effects of Cancer Death Various studies have cited cancer as a leading cause of deaths across the world. In the U.S., cancer is known to be the number two cause of deaths, accounting for 25% of all deaths in the country (American Cancer Society 2013). The American Cancer Society projects that close to 166300 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States of America in 2013 alone (American Cancer Society 2013). The Society also projects that close to 580,350 Americans will succumb to cancer in 2013, roughly 1600 individuals per day. In the U.K, statistics show that in 2010 alone, about 15,275 individuals died as a result of cancer (Cancer Research U.K. 2013). Pain Apart from causing deaths, cancer is associated with a lot of pain especially in its advanced stages. Some of the pain that cancer patients have to endure may not be caused by the cancer but by the treatments that they receive. For example, when an individual goes through surgery or chemotherapy to treat cancer, they more often than not have to bear a lot of pain (American Cancer Society, 2013a). Apart from physical pain, the patient, relatives and friends of cancer patients or victims go through a lot of emotional pain. For family members and friends, seeing a loved one suffer a lot of pain and the thought of knowing that they are going to die sooner or later causes them a lot of pain and distress. Negative Effects of Cancer Treatments Cancer treatment comes in the form of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Each of these treatment methods is associated with certain negative side effects. Some of the most common side effects of the treatments include pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, anaemia, and build up of lymph fluid in the body (lymphedema) (American Cancer Society, 2013a). Cancer treatments can also negatively affect the sexual life of individuals or result in infertility. In some cases, the patient has to undergo ostomy which means that they are fitted with alternative means through which waste leaves their body (American Cancer Society 2013a). The stress associated with leaving a far from normal life generally reduces the patient’s quality of life. Loss of Livelihoods Many patients who suffer from cancer have to stop working due to the pain that they endure or because they are incapacitated by the disease or to attend medical treatments (Kuper, Adami & Boffetta 2002). As a result, the patients and their families may have to contend with a lower standard of living as they direct a lot of their income to the care of the patient. In case the patient is a bread winner, the family may plunge into poverty. Generally, the cost of treating cancer is extremely high and the economy suffers massive losses as funds that would otherwise be used for other purposes are directed to the treatment of cancer patients and palliative care. Prevention of Cancer Most of the measures that individuals can take to prevent cancer attacks are closely related to the causes of cancer. Many cancers are caused by the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. What this means is that some cancers like mouth cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer can be prevented by avoiding the smoking of tobacco and consumption of alcohol (Medical News Today 2013). Skin cancer on the other hand can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the sun’s rays especially when it is hot. An individual can opt to use sunscreen, wear a hat and shirt when in the hot sun. Generally, people should avoid being exposed to radiations such as x-rays and gamma- rays and carcinogens such as asbestos, nickel and cobalt as a way of preventing cancer. Given that diet has a bearing on the risks individuals face with regard to cancer; it is recommended that diet should be rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruits and low in salt and fat (Medical News Today 2013). It is known that some cancers, cervical cancer for example, can be prevented through vaccination. People may also engage actively in excising their bodies as an effective means of preventing cancer. Furthermore, some cancers can be prevented by when they are diagnosed early enough and small irregularities or tumors treated early enough. Conclusion Cancer is a group of deadly diseases that kill many people in the U.S. and across the world. There are more than 100 different types of cancers which affect the body. Some of the main causes of cancer include radiations, unhealthy diet, genetic predisposition, and physical inactivity. Cancer can be prevented by engaging in physical exercises, eating healthy diets, avoiding radiations, tobacco, alcohol and other caseinogens. Generally, it is evident that to a great extent individuals play a big role in preventing cancer infections or can otherwise predispose themselves to the risk of cancer attacks through their actions or inactions. References American Cancer Society (2013). Cancer Facts & Figures 2013, viewed 25 July, 2013 http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsstatistics/cancerfactsfigures2013/index American Cancer Society (2013a) Physical Side Effects, viewed 25 July, 2013 http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/physical-side-effects-landing Anand P, Kunnumakkara A, Kunnumakara A, Sundaram C, Harikumar K, Tharakan S, Lai O, Sung B, Aggarwal B (September 2008). "Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes". Pharm. Res. 25 (9): 2097–116. Cancer Research U.K. (2013) CancerStats: Cancer Statistics for the UK, viewed 25 July, 2013 http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/ Kuper H, Adami H, Boffetta P (June 2002). "Tobacco use, cancer causation and public health impact". J. Intern. Med. vol. 251, no., 6, pp. 455–66. Little J (2000). "Chapter 14: Ionizing Radiation". In Kufe D, Pollock R, Weichselbaum R, Bast R Jr, Gansler T, Holland J & Frei E III. Cancer medicine (6th ed.). Hamilton, Ont: B.C. Decker. Medical News Today (2013). What Is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?, viewed 25 July, 2013 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology/ Medical News Today 2013, ‘What Is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?’, viewed 25 July, 2013 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology/ Read More