27/06/2018
Everyday and in every family we see one person gets affected with cancer. What is the reason?? Why??? 1000s questions run in mind..
Cancer is not a disease. It is not a deficiency (not vitamin not calcium). It is normal cells that grow (uncontrolled) without check. Example: 1 cell becomes 2 then 4, 16, 32, 64... Etc and at a point stops in each and every tissue and cells of our body. This cycle when it doesn't stop forms a lump termed as tumour. When free radical ions are more there is increased chance of cancer and metastasis.
It is due to genes disorders.. hereditary is 8% and rest is 92%... Many think it is hereditary. No not 100%>
Genes involved in cancer:-
The oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play a major role in developing tumor. Cancer cells are normal cells that keep dividing without control check. Normally cells undergo mitosis and meiosis and goes for cycle cell check.. when this doesn't occur the cells keep growing without control and forms a mass. This is tumour.
Causes:-
1) carcinogens - substances that cause cancer. It includes UV rays, lead exposure, X ray, ionisation radiation all rays.
2) Lifestyle - awake in the night and sleeping in the daytime.
3) stress.
4) virus and some pathogens
5) Food - we think eating veggies and fruits with pesticide cause cancer. NO. The % is very minimal. Wash in running tap water. This is better than eating chemicals directly.
Maida - Pizza, Burger, processed foods, tinned foods (sea foods, juices, aerated drinks) and packaged foods (chips, etc). Reheated oil When comparing these eating our local foods doesn't cause harm..
Prevention:-
1) eat lot of antioxidants (garlic, ginger, kiwi, pomegranate, green tea, green leafy substances) in your daily food menu. Avoid maida, pizza chips, packaged processed foods, reheated oil items. Prepare at home. It is 99% safer.
2)Maintain work life balance. Avoid too much stress, sleeplessness, eating untimely. Certain glands work at certain time so we shouldn't disturb the body. (Early to bed and early to wake up is best - Definitely our ancestors lead a much more happy life).
Signs and symptoms:-
1) Weight loss drastically
2) Hair fall
3) if gastric, intestine cancer - bleeding in stools
4) Decreased appetite
5) liver, pancreas - abdominal pain
6) esophageal cancer - persistent regurgitation, acidity, burning sensation.
Investigations:-
PET CT scan
USG/CT
Biomarkers blood test
Biopsy
FNAC
Cytology
Immunofluorescent tests.
Treatment:-
All cancers cannot be cured with same treatment.
1) Non Hodgkin's lymphoma- chemo only saves
2) cervical, uterine, prostate, breast - surgical removal
3) lungs, liver, pancreas, esophageal, intestine, brain - radiation and chemo
4) Bone & blood - bone marrow transplant, chemo.
Stage I and II curable and prognosis is good
Stage III and IV - high risk, poor prognosis.
Chemo - relapse is more. If it didn't recur within 3 years it won't happen in lifetime. (But 95% of patients have recurrence within 3 years).
Alternate therapy - Dr. Narayana Murthy - Shimoga (ayurvedic).
Information given by
Dr. Hamsavardhini, Cancer Researcher.