Symptoms of cancer

cancer

Cancer is defined as the turbulent growth of some cells of the body, so that it has the ability to grow uncontrollably and sometimes can spread elsewhere. Cancer is not a single disease; it is a group of more than 100 different and separate diseases.

Cancer can affect the different tissues of the body, whatever its shape may vary depending on the affected area. Most cancers are called by cell type or by the organ in which they originate, so if a cancer is spread, the secondary tumor (in the area where it is spread) Primary tumor name.

The incidence of cancer is probably dependent on sex. Skin cancer is the most common type of malignant cancer in both sexes. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and breast cancer in women. However, incidence is not considered a measure of the seriousness of cancer. Skin cancer is treatable Typically, lung cancer is the leading cause of death for both sexes in the United States. Benign tumors are not cancerous but malignant, and cancer is not contagious.

There are many symptoms that appear on those who have a type of cancer, some of these symptoms and signs are common, most of them suffer from cancer of any kind and some of them appear in particular in specific types of cancer, and the general symptoms may come with diseases other than cancer does not mean The presence of the person necessarily cancer, but those who suffer from the need to see a doctor if these symptoms continue for a long time or if worsened. These general symptoms include:

Uncertain loss of weight: Most cancer patients will suffer from weight loss at some point, and weight loss is not justified if it occurs without any known cause. An unexplained loss of more than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) may be the first sign of cancer, often in pancreatic, stomach, esophageal and lung cancers.
High body temperature: a common symptom of cancer, but most likely in the case of spread, and almost all cancer patients will suffer from fever, especially if the impact of cancer or treatment on the immune system in the body, making it difficult for the body’s task to fight infection, High fever is the first symptom as it is in leukemia.
Fatigue: a feeling of fatigue does not improve even with rest, and it can be an important symptom of the aggravation of the disease, but it may occur early in some types of cancers, such as leukemia, and there is another way to cause cancer extreme fatigue is the loss of blood is not apparent as happens In stomach and colon cancer.
Pain may be an early symptom in some cancers such as bone cancer and testicular cancer, as well as head pain can not improve even with the treatment of drugs may accompany brain cancer, and back pain may be a symptom of colon, rectum or ovarian cancer, and most often the presence of pain As a cancer symptom a sign of the spread of the disease.
Skin changes: In addition to skin cancer, several cancers cause these changes, such as skin pigmentation (the skin becomes darker), yellowing of skin and eyes, redness of the skin, itching, and growing hair growth.

There are also specific symptoms and signs that accompany certain types of cancer, and their presence does not mean a person’s cancer, and these symptoms:

Changes in urination or urination: For example, prolonged constipation, diarrhea or change in stool volume may indicate colon cancer, pain in urination, blood with urine or change in urination (such as urination more than normal) may be associated Cancer of the bladder or prostate.
Ulcers in different areas of the body: Skin cancer may cause ulcers do not disappear with medicines and may bleed at times, and may be accompanied by cancer of the mouth ulcers can not be cured also, and the presence of ulcers in the penis or vagina may indicate either inflammation or cancer.
White spots inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue: where they may be called so-called oral prosthesis; a potential carcinogenic spot that results from frequent irritation, usually affects smokers, and can develop into oral cancer.
The appearance of lumps in the breast or elsewhere in the body: The emergence of lumps is a common symptom of breast cancer, testicular and lymph nodes, and in the case of appearance should pay attention to any change, such as increasing the size, for example, you should see your doctor.
Indigestion and difficulty swallowing: They may be symptoms of cancer of the esophagus, pharynx and stomach, but like all other symptoms result from diseases more common than cancer.
Persistent cough and loudness: Lung cancer can be accompanied by a continuous cough that can not be treated, and may indicate a hoarseness of throat cancer or thyroid.

Factors that increase the chance of cancer

There are several environmental and genetic factors that may increase the chance of cancer. However, a person does not necessarily have cancer if he is exposed to carcinogens or has a risk factor. These include:

Having a family history of cancer and the presence of genetic factors: Cancer may increase the chance of cancer if such genetic factors exist, and may contribute to environmental factors, as in people with Down syndrome, where the incidence of leukemia is 12 to 20 times.
Age: there are some types of cancer afflict children in particular, but most types infect adults; as one of the studies indicate that in the United States there are more than 60% of cancers affecting people older than 65 years.
Environmental factors: such as smoking or exposure to pollutants in air or water such as rock wool and industrial waste, as well as exposure to pesticides or various forms of radiation.
Food: For example, eating foods high in unsaturated fats may increase the chances of colon, breast and prostate cancer. Drinking large amounts of alcohol is also associated with head and neck cancer and esophageal cancer.
Some drugs: For example, estrogen in the pill may increase slightly from the chance of breast cancer, but this proportion decreases over time.
Inflammation: such as those caused by HPV associated with cervical cancer in women and anal and penis cancer in men.