CANCER: living a riskless life

A tumor cancer is describe as the abnormal spread of cells. The fundamental difference between malignant tumor and benign tumor is that the latter is limited; it develops slowly and do not penetrate the tissues or blood vessels. However, a malignant cancer on the other hand, grows quickly and randomly, thereby destroying and also invading the surrounding healthy tissues, and using the bloodstream to spread to distant organs (metastasis). Some benign tumors like those affecting the brain are said to be lethal as many of the malignant tumors are curable, provided they are detected and treated at early stage. Among diseases, cancer ranks high as a major killer, being responsible in recent years for tons of thousands of deaths per year in the world. It is estimated that one million people in the United State receive treatment for some kinds of cancer related ailment each year. Of these, more than half are new cases, having been diagnosed for the first time during the year. If present trend continues, about one fourth of the nation’s population will sooner or later develop cancer. A malignant tumor-sometimes starting as or in a chronic ulcer-is one which grows irregularly and tends to infiltrate surrounding tissues or to be carried to other parts of the body through blood lymph channels and to implant itself and grow there. Because of this tendency, cancer is likely to damage important or vital organs or tissues in any or all parts of the body, resulting in serious disease and often death. Statistics indicate that deaths from cancer are still increasing. Some argue that the increase is the natural result of saving the lives of children and youth and allowing a larger proportion of the population to reach the “cancer age.” Therefore, that this fact enters into the increase is undeniable, but most authorities agree that it is not enough to account for all the increase, especially for the increase in lung cancer and certain other varieties. One difficulty is that many cancers are not detected at early stage of occurrence until they have spread to such an extent that they become incurable. CAUSES OF CANCER Medical science is yet to made final discovery of the basic cause of cancer. However, the following facts exist: 1. Long-continued irritation or repeated injury resulting from pipe smoking, syphilis of the tongue (=jagged teeth or rough fillings often precedes cancer of the tongue) 2. An increased life expectancy. 3. While heredity has a definite influence on the occurrence of cancer in human beings, the hereditary lines represented in any given individual are so complex that it is difficult or impossible to predict what will happen in his case. 4. There are those who feel that diet may have contributory influence; and there is no proof that they are wrong. SIGNS OF CANCER • A persistent change from normal in bowel action • Irregular bleeding or blood-tinged discharge from any body opening, including a nipple • Persistent lump or thickening in tissue, especially in the lip, breast or tongue. • Persistent hoarseness, cough or sore throat. • Indigestion or loss of appetite, mostly in people over forty years of age. Some doctors believe it wise to have all tumors, whether they show signs of becoming cancerous or not, completely removed at the earliest opportunity. Any long-continued sores on the skin or on the mucous membranes of the body opening should be examined by biopsy or other appropriate methods and should be treated without delay if proved malignant.