Cancer

In 2020, 13.9 lakh new cancer cases were reported in India, a rising trend. By 2025, the National Cancer Registry Program expects 15.7 million cancer cases.Cancer killed 7.36 lakh Indians in 2020. Breast, lung, cervical, oral, and colorectal cancers are most common in India.North-eastern India has higher cancer rates than the south. Lifestyle, diet, and environment may explain this variation.It is important to note that the incidence rate of cancer in India is likely underestimated due to underreporting and inadequate cancer surveillance systems in many parts of the country.

Types of cancer

Different cancers have different symptoms and treatments. Common cancers include:

Breast cancer: Self-examination or mammography can detect this form of breast cancer, which affects the tissue's cells.
Lung cancer: Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells proliferate in the lungs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain.
Prostate cancer: The prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system, is the target of this malignancy.
Colorectal cancer: Alterations in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, and pain in the abdomen are all symptoms of this colon or rectum cancer.
Skin cancer: Regular self-examinations are important for detecting skin cancer, which develops from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Leukaemia: Fatigue, weakness, and anemia are common symptoms of this cancer type because of its effect on blood cells and the bone marrow.

Why do people get cancer?

Complex genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors cause cancer. Lifetime changes cause most cancers. Viruses, tobacco, a poor diet, radiation, and environmental toxins can cause these changes.

Environmental factors, Pollution, chemicals, and radiation can damage cell DNA, causing mutations that promote cancer growth. Asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, with UV light exposure causing skin cancer.
Inherited genetic mutations also raise cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase the risk of cancer of the breast and ovary.
Lifestyle factors, Smoking, a poor diet, inactivity, and excessive alcohol use can also cause cancer. Smoking causes many cancers, including lung cancer. Foods that are processed and red meat increase colorectal cancer risk.
Viral Infections: Viruses can also increase cancer risk. HPV can cause cervical cancer, and hepatitis B or C can trigger liver cancer.

Not all cancer cases have risk factors. Some cancers have unknown causes.

Symptoms of cancer

Cancer symptoms vary by type and location. There are a few general cancer symptoms:

Fatigue: Even in its earliest stages, cancer frequently causes extreme fatigue.
Unexplained weight loss: Significant weight loss without making any changes to diet or exercise habits may be an indication of cancer.
Pain: Cancer can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and chronic pain that does not respond to treatment is one of them.
Changes in the skin: Cancer can sometimes manifest as a darkening or yellowing of the skin.
Changes in bowel or bladder habits: Cancer can cause constipation, diarrhoea, or frequent urination.
Unusual bleeding or discharge: Cancer may appear as unexpected bleeding or discharge from any organ.
Difficulty swallowing: Cancer-related diseases of the oesophagus or throat can cause trouble swallowing, especially when they are painful.
Persistent cough: Lung cancer can sometimes manifest as coughing that fails to go away despite treatment.
Hoarseness: A change in voice or hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks may be an indication of laryngeal or thyroid cancer.

If these symptoms persist, see a doctor. Other medical conditions may cause them. Early cancer detection and treatment improve outcomes.

Cancer has a range of complications.

There is a wide range of potentially fatal complications associated with cancer. Possible side effects of cancer include the following:

Spread of cancer: Metastasis is the spread of cancer to new locations in the body. This can increase the difficulty of treatment and the potential for complications.
Complications of cancer treatment: Cancer treatments have different side effects. Radiation and chemotherapy can also damage healthy cells, causing sickness, fatigue, and hair loss.
Infections: Cancer treatment weakens immunity, making people more susceptible to infections. Chemotherapy and radiation patients may have weaker immune systems, making infections dangerous.
Pain: Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery can cause cancer-related pain. Cancer patients must manage pain.
Emotional and psychological effects: Cancer can cause anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. This can make cancer patients' physical symptoms harder to manage.
Physical disabilities, such as loss of mobility or facial disfigurement, are just two examples of the physical impairments that can result from cancer and its treatment.
Financial difficulties: The cost of treating cancer can quickly become prohibitive. Especially if the person is unable to work because of their illness, this can put a strain on a family's finances.
Recurrence: Cancer can recur after treatment. This is especially difficult for people who have already been treated and may need more.
Second cancers: Radiation therapy may raise the risk of a second cancer. Cancer checkups and follow-ups are crucial.

Cancer

Types of cancer

Different cancers have different symptoms and treatments. Common cancers include:

Breast cancer: Self-examination or mammography can detect this form of breast cancer, which affects the tissue's cells.

Lung cancer: Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells proliferate in the lungs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain.

Prostate cancer: The prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system, is the target of this malignancy.

Colorectal cancer: Alterations in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, and pain in the abdomen are all symptoms of this colon or rectum cancer.

Skin cancer: Regular self-examinations are important for detecting skin cancer, which develops from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Leukaemia: Fatigue, weakness, and anemia are common symptoms of this cancer type because of its effect on blood cells and the bone marrow.

Why do people get cancer?

Complex genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors cause cancer. Lifetime changes cause most cancers. Viruses, tobacco, a poor diet, radiation, and environmental toxins can cause these changes.

Environmental factors, Pollution, chemicals, and radiation can damage cell DNA, causing mutations that promote cancer growth. Asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, with UV light exposure causing skin cancer.

Inherited genetic mutations also raise cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase the risk of cancer of the breast and ovary.

Lifestyle factors, Smoking, a poor diet, inactivity, and excessive alcohol use can also cause cancer. Smoking causes many cancers, including lung cancer. Foods that are processed and red meat increase colorectal cancer risk.

Viral Infections: Viruses can also increase cancer risk. HPV can cause cervical cancer, and hepatitis B or C can trigger liver cancer.

Not all cancer cases have risk factors. Some cancers have unknown causes.

Symptoms of cancer

Cancer symptoms vary by type and location. There are a few general cancer symptoms:

Fatigue: Even in its earliest stages, cancer frequently causes extreme fatigue.

Unexplained weight loss: Significant weight loss without making any changes to diet or exercise habits may be an indication of cancer.

Pain: Cancer can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and chronic pain that does not respond to treatment is one of them.

Changes in the skin: Cancer can sometimes manifest as a darkening or yellowing of the skin.

Changes in bowel or bladder habits: Cancer can cause constipation, diarrhoea, or frequent urination.

Unusual bleeding or discharge: Cancer may appear as unexpected bleeding or discharge from any organ.

Difficulty swallowing: Cancer-related diseases of the oesophagus or throat can cause trouble swallowing, especially when they are painful.

Persistent cough: Lung cancer can sometimes manifest as coughing that fails to go away despite treatment.

Hoarseness: A change in voice or hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks may be an indication of laryngeal or thyroid cancer.

If these symptoms persist, see a doctor. Other medical conditions may cause them. Early cancer detection and treatment improve outcomes.

Cancer has a range of complications.

There is a wide range of potentially fatal complications associated with cancer. Possible side effects of cancer include the following:

Spread of cancer: Metastasis is the spread of cancer to new locations in the body. This can increase the difficulty of treatment and the potential for complications.

Complications of cancer treatment: Cancer treatments have different side effects. Radiation and chemotherapy can also damage healthy cells, causing sickness, fatigue, and hair loss.

Infections: Cancer treatment weakens immunity, making people more susceptible to infections. Chemotherapy and radiation patients may have weaker immune systems, making infections dangerous.

Pain: Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery can cause cancer-related pain. Cancer patients must manage pain.

Emotional and psychological effects: Cancer can cause anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. This can make cancer patients' physical symptoms harder to manage.

Physical disabilities, such as loss of mobility or facial disfigurement, are just two examples of the physical impairments that can result from cancer and its treatment.

Financial difficulties: The cost of treating cancer can quickly become prohibitive. Especially if the person is unable to work because of their illness, this can put a strain on a family's finances.

Recurrence: Cancer can recur after treatment. This is especially difficult for people who have already been treated and may need more.

Second cancers: Radiation therapy may raise the risk of a second cancer. Cancer checkups and follow-ups are crucial.