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The
word cancer is familiar to almost everyone since it is one of the most
dangerous diseases that can occur in the human body. Cancer can be defined as
the abnormal growth of cells in the body that can damage healthy tissues,
leading to severe conditions such as organ dysfunction or even death. There are
over 200 different types of cancer that affect millions of people worldwide and
can be classified into several main types, including carcinoma, sarcoma,
leukemia, lymphoma, and tumors that occur in the brain and spine. Since it is a
terrible disease, it is crucial to raise awareness about cancer among the
public. On the one hand, it is essential to provide accurate information about
the disease. For example, breast cancer is one of the most common types of the
disease among women. In a global scale, awareness-raising activities aim to
promote self-examination, regular check-ups, and screening tests. Moreover, it
is necessary to emphasize the importance of psychological support to cancer
patients. Every year on October 19th, people around the world participate in
international events related to breast cancer to promote early detection and
treatment and support cancer patients. Our bodies are made up of billions of
cells that come together to form tissues and organs. When these cells change in
a way cancer can begin. There are than 200 types of cancer usually grouped by
where they start in the body or what kind of cell is affected. The five main
types are carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma/myeloma and central nervous
system cancers.
Early
Detection
Early detection of breast cancer is difficult due to a
combination of biological factors, psychological barriers, lack of awareness,
and healthcare system obstacles. Finding cancer early is the best way to save
lives because it makes the disease much easier to treat. When doctors catch
cancer at an early stage before it spreads, patients usually have better
treatment choices and a much higher chance of recovery. Information from the American
cancer society shows that regular checkups and better treatments have helped
raise the overall five-year survival rate for all cancers to around 70%. The World Health Organization
explains that early detection relies on two things: people seeing a doctor as
soon as they notice strange changes in their bodies, and healthy people getting
routine medical tests. For most adults, these routine tests include Pap smears
starting at age 21, breast mammograms at age 40, and colon health checks
starting at age 45. Going to these standard appointments helps doctors find and
treat problems before a person even feels sick, when cancer is found at an
early stage, treatment is more likely to be successful. At this point, the
cancer is usually small and hasn’t spread. For some cancer types, this can lead
to more treatment options. It can also increase the chances of having local
treatment, like surgery, where only a certain area of the body needs treatment.
This could be enough to get rid of the cancer completely. Even if cancer has
started to spread, detecting it as soon as possible can still make a big
difference. Earlier treatment may slow or stop the cancer progressing further.
That’s why it’s important to tell your doctor if you notice anything that isn’t
normal for you.
Cellular Malignancy and
Disease Mechanisms
At the basic level cancer happens when
some of the body’s cells grow out of control and spread to other parts.
Normally cells grow, divide and die in a well-organized way. In cancer that
process breaks down. Damaged cells don’t die when they should. Instead, they
keep multiplying, forming tumors. These tumors can invade tissues or spread
through the blood, a process known as metastasis.
How Chemotherapy Attacks Cancer
Chemotherapy is one of our tools against
cancer. It works by stopping cells growing. The drugs target the process of
cell division in three ways:
