Uncontrolled Cell Division: Cancer - Essay Example

? Topic: cancer Introduction Cancer refers to condition whereby there is uncontrolled cell division. Cells divide uncontrollably affecting the adjacent cells. The affected cells form malignant tumors, which may not necessarily lead to cancer. Malignant tumor is divided into metastasis tumors and benign tumors. Cancer may spread to other body parts through blood or lymphatic system. Most abnormal cells and cancers are identified by the tissue from their normal cells originated, for example, lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Cancer can also be found in other living organisms man included. At times, cancer breaks away from its original mass and travel through lymph systems and blood. It then lodges its cells to other organs where it stimulates uncontrolled growth. This process of leaving of origin and growing in another part is referred to as metastatic spread (Robert, 2007). Facts and figures There more than 200 different types of cancer. According to National Cancer Institute, Most of these cancers can be sub divided into the following categories. Carcinoma is cancer that starts in the tissues which line (skin) and cover other organs. Sarcoma cancer begins in the cartilage, bone, muscle, fat, blood vessels and other tissue that is connected or supported. Leukemia cancer begins in blood producing tissue, for example, bone marrow. This causes production of a lot of abnormal cells that enter the blood. Myeloma and lymphoma starts in the cells of the immune system. There are also central nervous systems cancers that start in the brain tissues and the spinal Cord (Jemal, Bray, Center, Ferlay, Ward, & Forman, 2011). According to National Cancer Institute 2010, the most common cancers were bladder, breast, rectal, colon, endometrial, leukemia, kidney, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, Non-Hodgkin, thyroid, and prostate. The most common cancers in men in US were lung, prostate and colorectal. The most cancer in women in US were breast, lung and colorectal. Most children who had cancer in US had lymphoma leukemia and brain tumors. Incidences of cancer and types are influenced by sex, age, race, diet genetics and environmental factors. According to the world health organization, cancer causes most deaths worldwide. It infers that in 2004 cancer was responsible for 7.4 million deaths; this is almost 13% of all deaths. It also concluded that the cancers that cause the majority of deaths were breast, lung, liver, colon and stomach cancers. WHO projects that cancer cases will continue increasing with an estimate of 12 million deaths in 2030. The statistics show that some cancers are more predominant in certain areas. For example, stomach cancer is mostly found in Japan. American Cancer Society approximates that, by the end of 2012, there will be about 173, 200 cancers related with tobacco deaths. Scientific evidence indicates that one third of 577,190 deaths will be related to obesity, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. This evidence indicates that these deaths can be prevented. When regular screening is done by professional health providers, can result in diagnosis, removal and detection of cancerous cells at an early stage. When cancer is detected at a stage, it can be treated, for example, cervix rectal and colon cancer. Certain can be detected at an early stage through screening. Examples of these cancers are cervix, colon, and rectum, oral and skin cancer. Cancer screening can decrease mortality for cancers such as cervix, breast, colon and rectum. An increased awareness of breast cancer symptoms and changes can lead to early detection of tumors at an early stage. Almost half of all known cancer cases can be prevented by screening. The chances of being diagnosed with cancer rise with age. The highest portion of people diagnosed with cancer age 77 years and above which account for 77%. Researchers mean different things when they use risk in cancer. Lifetime cancer is used when referring to the chances of an individual who will either die or develop cancer in their lifetime. In the USA, risk of developing cancer in women is more than 1 in 3 while that in men is less than 1 in 3. Relative risk refers to how strong relationship between a particular cancer and its risk factors is. It brings out the comparison between dangers of a person getting cancer with certain trait or exposure to risk in people without the characteristic. For example, the relative risk of smokers developing cancer is number 23. This means that smokers are 23 times probable to get cancer than non smokers. All cancers develop due to gene malfunction that regulate cell division and growth. 5% of known cancers can be inherited. This means that, and when an inheritable gene is altered the risk of developing cancer increase. Most cancers do not cause gene damage, but some alter genetic make up with time. It is worthy noting that genetic changes can result from radiations, nutrition or external factors such as tobacco in January 2008 about 12 million people with cancer in USA were known to be living. Some had known that they had cancer and were undergoing treatment will others were care free. In 2012, about 1638910 cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed. This estimate excludes noninvasive cancer of anywhere except urinary bladder, and do not include squamous cell skin cancer and basal cancer which may not be necessarily be reported to cancer registry. In 2012, 577,190 Americans are estimated to die because of cancer. Cancer is the second killer disease in America after heart disorders and diseases. The survival rate of cancers was 67% between 2001 and 2007. This was a rise from 67% between 1975-1977. This advancement shows the effectiveness of diagnosis processes undergoing. why I chose cancer as a topic Cancer study is noteworthy because it is one of the greatest death causes in the world. Cancer has caused death of young to old people who would have played a crucial role in society. Most prominent people in society have died due to cancer especially in the developing countries. Cancer diagnosis and prevention also is expensive and consumes funds that could have otherwise been used to develop other sectors of the economy. Together with these limitations caused by cancer it is an illness that may be prevented if the society understands the basics of cancer. This can ease the difficult tasks that the government and the people in general are undergoing to manage cancer. These basics include causes and prevention of cancer (Sandra, 1997). Why cancer is a health issue As discussed earlier, cancer is a disorder that affects cell division and also sometimes the genetic make up of an individual mostly in terms of cordons. Genetic make up, and cells division are some of the basics of human health. Affecting genetic make up of an individual also affects the functioning and operation of most body systems as these systems are genetically regulated (Jeffrey, & Daniel, 2010). Genetic disorders such as down’s syndrome, klinefelter syndrome and hemophilia are some of the many outcomes of mutation which can result from uncontrolled cell division. Poor division and growth of white blood cells can also cause serious health issues due to decreased or poor immunity. It is also worthy noting that genetically cancer can affect the health of a whole generation. The disease affects a large portion of society as compared to other diseases as discussed earlier. It consumes a large portion of health funds, labor and also facilities. This qualifies cancer to be a serious health issue in society. Biomedical Perspective Explains Cancer Cancer is viewed as a biochemical phenomenon which can be classified into categories by way of occurrence diagnosis and treatment. Cancer is a disease as an invader which preys on parts of the body. Its treatment is focused on attacking the invader. For example, chemotherapy is a treatment that aims to fight attack and beat malignant cancers. Biomedically there is an articulated scientific model for understanding cancer process mechanism of prevention and treatment. Biomedicine may be used in emergency treatment of cancer. Biomedicine also provides specific and single model of dealing with cancer. For example, a person suffering from cervical cancer will consort a cervical cancer specialist rather than a general doctor. However, there is much better treatment such as radiotherapy that works better than biomedicine. Biomedically cancer is a disease that can be controlled managed and also treatable at a certain stage (Richard, 2004). The biomedical model dealing with cancer orientation is mostly detached, distance and deficient in warmth and empathy. This model separates patients from their emotional, mental and spiritual realities. This is because it sees them as having little bearing on healing and disease. Feelings such as rage social isolation and depression are invalidated, discounted and denied as hallucinations. Biomedicine creates a feeling of dependence to cancer patients since it exchanges the status of a person to that of a patient. Illness Narrative Perspective Explains Cancer Illness narrative perspective is how stories view and explain cancer. Illness narratives perspective comprises part of discursive interpretive perspective. Illness narratives are created from combinations of research and theoretical agreement. Narratives reveal interaction of complex cultural, social and psychological dynamics. Arthur Kleiman pioneered the study of illness narratives. These studies focused on people experiences affliction from symptoms, signs and disability caused by illness. Cancer in narratives is associated with psychological and social trauma, coping skills, disruption and loss. Cancer narratives are also influenced by social values and cultural codes. The affected population of cancer patients reconstructs their social position and identity through illness narratives. Cancer narratives portray a healthy person before the illness and later a weak and desperate person later whose lifetime will be shorten by death. Cancer expectations and hopes about treatment are limited in the narratives. Linda Hunt, 2000 infers, narratives “can become potent micro political tools reforging disrupted identities of patients.” She further indicates that chronic illnesses such as cancer “can produce a substantial disruption to the core components of identity such as social roles and relationships, and in these cases illness narratives holds the potential of only not articulating the disruption experienced but also of reconfiguring ones social identity. Cancer patients can influence how people view it in the society by telling illness narratives. This way there will be a clear representation of bodily, personal and social experiences from illness. Some Illness narratives of cancer patients reflect how they remain strong and keep morale high. Some illness narratives portray patient’s efforts just as how one fit in good patient category of doctor. There is a close relationship between suffering and death since it is seen as if one leads to the other in cases of cancer. Cancer narratives portray stigmatization and marginalization by over arching explanations of sick people. When sick people narrate their experiences with cancer they gain the ability to challenge marginalization and stigmatization. They can also redefine themselves in society and immediate environments. The illness narrative is useful in analyzing people’s experiences. They indicate when one became sick, what and how they relate the disease. Illness narratives shapes what society thinks about illness. Therefore, an illness narrator should put into considerations and narrate narratives that are positive and factual about cancer. Doctor and Patient Perspective Explains Cancer Patients and doctors express their dissatisfaction with health care given to cancer cases since it is driven by market forces. Health care has hinged on patient and doctor personal relationship. It is now possible for the patient to choose the doctors to provide medical services to them. Unlike the old days, where doctors were gentler and kindler but lacked the ability to diagnoses. These days doctors have interpersonal skills and, in addition, are highly skilled. Doctors view cancer as controllable preventable and curable when detected at early stages (Richard, 2004). However, when a person is diagnosed with cancer, most people view it as a death sentence. Doctors emphasize on early diagnosis since nowadays medicine to treat cancer has become high-tech and, therefore, when detected at a stage it is curable. Most patients are worried about the result of diagnostic method. Doctors emphasize that the accuracy of cancer diagnosis has increased by use of x rays scans and blood tests. Most patients view these cancer diagnostic tools as having the effect of distancing them from their doctor. The patient who wants to stick to their doctors can be asked to take clinical test that have been improved by use of technology. Atul gawande indicates that doctors need to address the patient’s hopes fears and ignorance in medical care. Doctors view cancer as a treatable disease due to high-tech treatment such as radio therapy and bone marrow transplant. Patients feel that with emotional support they can undergo cancer treatment such as chemotherapy although there are side effects such as loss of hair (Sulik, 2010). Patients view support groups as part of treatment of cancer since they get emotional support from the group. Medical schools are starting to provide doctors on communication skills and how to deliver unpleasant news. This is because every patient with cancer needs emotional support. Patients stress on the importance of the cancer diagnostic is prevented and help it offers when presented in a kind and sensitive manner. Dr, Peabody at Harvard medical school that “Disease treatment can be impersonal, but patient care should be personal.” Conclusion Cancer is a severe condition that has affected a large portion of the community. It is a disorder that originates from sources that can be controlled by managing oneself lifestyle. Nutrition and work conditions contribute for the highest source of abnormal cell division and growth. Proper nutrition regarding the day to day diet should be put in considerable regard when fighting cancer. People should ensure that they consume foods that in the future do not lead to cancerous growth. Proper societal awareness on cancer is also of immense importance to ensure that people are aware of how to life lifestyles that are cancer free. This is well proved, by the fact that, after awareness there is a significant reduction of cancer deaths in the general society. Working environments, which may be, prone to cancer should offer perfective protection especially in the form of clothing. These areas include those dealing with radiations and heavy metals like mercury and those working in laboratories and X ray rooms (Ralph, 1992). These people should undergoing frequent scanning for exposure to prevent cancerous infection. The people diagnosed with cancerous infections should seek for quick treatment to prevent effects than can be prevented if it was detected earlier. Management of cancerous growth is of great importance as it will increase the lifespan of individual. Families having cases of genetically cancer should also seek medical assistance from professionals who will advice on how to manage genetically cancer and, how to protect future generations. Doctors dealing with cancer patients should be able to deal with patients psychologically. This is because cancer is majorly a psychological disorder that can be to some extent be controlled by psychological advice. Media on the other had should be in a position to give information that help curb the trend of cancer in the society (Edward, 1997). References David, C. 2006. Breast of cancer. Cambridge: Da Capo press. Robert, A.W. 2007. The biology of cancer. University of Michigan: Garland science. Siddhartha, M. 2010. A Biography of cancer: Scriber. Richard, T.P., Lauren, D., Bruce, A. C. & Thomas, J.L. 2003. Breaking Bad News: A Patient’s Perspective. USA: Massachusetts General Hospital. Devra, L. D. 2007. The Secret History of the War on Cancer. New York:Basic Books. Sandra, S. 1997. Living downstream: an ecologist looks at cancer and the environment "A Merloyd Lawrence book" . Boston: Addison-Wesley Publishing. Edward, G. G. 1997. World without cancer: the story of vitamin B17 World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17, G. Edward Griffin. 2rd ed.US: American Media. 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