February 4th marks World Cancer Day and is the second leading cause of death globally. Research conducted in 2020 across 54 African Countries shows that South Africa ranks third highest for new cases of cancer (close to 110,000) across the continent. It is important to be aware of the different types of Cancer, and what are their signs and symptoms to detect early diagnosis.
Cancer generally means abnormal and uncontrolled increase and growth of cells in a particular part of the body. Almost all cancers can spread to other regions, either directly by invading and infiltrating surrounding structures, or through the blood stream or lymphatic system. Cancer is not one condition, rather there are over 200 different types of cancer. It is for that reason that it is not possible to have one treatment or tablet that can cure all cancers. Cancers are generally named after the part of the body where they originate. The common cancers are those of the breast and cervix in women, and of the prostate gland and colon in men.
Some cancers take longer to diagnose because they are hidden away deep in the body, while others have no symptoms for a very long time in the early course of the disease. In addition, it is possible to periodically test or screen for some cancers, mainly those of the breast, cervix, and prostate glands, thus ensuring early detection and treatment. Ultimately, confirming the presence of cancer is made by performing a biopsy, which is the process of obtaining a tumour sample.
The samples are then sent to a laboratory for pathologists to confirm the diagnosis and categorise the type of cancer. Pathology and radiology services are essential in guiding the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer. This includes determining the stage of the disease, which involves the absence or presence of a tumour spreading from the site where it started. There are blood tests that are also helpful in diagnosing certain types of cancers.
Signs and symptoms of cancer depend on the area of origin, and the extent of disease. In addition, treatment can sometimes lead to symptoms that are obvious and more debilitating than those caused by the cancer itself. Symptoms include unexplained loss of weight, loss of appetite, change in bowel habits, excessive tiredness, pain, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in passing urine, and many others. Common treatment side-effects from cancer therapy are loss of hair and discoulouration of the nails.
Some people are born with genes that increase their risk of developing cancer, either early or later in life. However, a significant number of cancers can be prevented from being lethal, through early detection and treatment. It is also worth noting that even babies can get cancer, and in fact there are certain types of cancers that are only found in children. Some of the following factors are responsible for increasing one’s risk of developing cancer, and managing them can be lifesaving:
Exposure to chemicals and substances that cause cancer also often happens in certain types of working environments, and it is the responsibility of both the employer and employee that the appropriate safety measures are put in place.
Treatment depends on the type of cancer one has, and can involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In addition, the type of treatment option chosen depends on whether the cancer has spread to other organs, its anatomical location in the body, and the patient and family’s needs. In instances whether there is extensive disease spread, the affected individual is offered palliation, which is supportive care and pain management. It is also worth noting that currently there is no evidence to support claims that alternative remedies are better than conventional treatments to treat cancer, or even that they offer any form of objective benefit.
Cancer treatment is led by a multidisciplinary team, which includes nurses, general practitioners, psychologists, radiation and medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and many other health professionals. In addition, key among these is good social support, which includes partners and spouses, family, work colleagues, friends, and cancer support groups.
While a positive attitude generally improves one’s quality of life, whether healthy or sick, there is no evidence to support the commonly held view that a positive attitude has a bearing on whether one is cured or not. It does of course strengthen one’s mental resolve and can help avoid the depression that often accompanies a diagnosis of cancer, but not responding to treatment does not imply that one did not have a positive attitude, or that one was not willing to “fight”, a term that is often used in this context.
The content in this communication is for information purposes and is not intended to be detailed advice, you should seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
