Cancer is a name given to a wide group of diseases. Mostly, the name of cancer type is related to the area it has developed in. For example, breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breast.
By knowing about cancer types, we can stay one step ahead in prevention and treatment. Here are five most common types of cancer you should be aware of.
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer develops from the breast tissues. Signs of breast cancer are:
Lump in the breast
Change in breast shape
Dimpling of the skin
Fluid coming from the nipple
Red scaly patch on skin
More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
Risk factors for developing breast cancer include obesity, lack of physical exercise, drinking alcohol, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, ionizing radiation, early age at first menstruation, having children late or not at all.
Bladder Cancer
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine until it is passed out of the body. Bladder cancer is any of several types of cancer arising from the epithelial lining (i.e., the urothelium) of the urinary bladder. Hematuria is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. It occurs in approximately 80-90% of the patients.
Basically, hematuria is the presence of blood in urine. There are two types of hematuria:
- Visible to the naked eye called gross or macroscopic hematuria
- Microscopic hematuria that is only visible through a microscope
Other possible symptoms are: frequently urinating, feeling the need to urinate without being able to do so, and pain during urination.
You don't need to panic because these symptoms are not exclusive to bladder cancer. But it's always good to get yourself checked just to be sure of your health and hygiene.
People who smoke have an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a name given to a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow. Types of leukemia are – acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. In 2012, leukemia developed in 352,000 people globally and caused 265,000 deaths. It is the most common type of cancer in children, with three-quarters of leukaemia cases in children being the acute lymphoblastic type.
It is believed that factors like age, gender, genetics, and chemical exposure can cause leukemia. Other partially known reason is radiation as that can trigger leukemia by activating oncogenes or deactivating tumor suppressor genes. Thereby disrupting the regulation of cell death, differentiation, or division.
The symptoms may vary from case to case. Some common ones are:
- Weak immune system
- Bleeding and brushing due to lack of platelets
- In children, easy brushing, pale skin, fever, enlarged spleen or liver
- Some may have night sweats, feeling fatigued
- Red blood deficiency cause anaemia
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-deaths worldwide. It forms in the tissues of the lung. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts as well. The main cause for lung cancer is smoking, the more you smoke, the more you get prone to having lung cancer. 80% lung cancers are because of long-term smoking.
Some common symptoms are:
- Cough that doesn't go away and becomes worse with time
- Constant chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Swelling of the neck and pain
- Weight loss, fever, clubbing of fingernails
- Other than smoking, Radon gas, asbestos, air pollution, and genetics also cause lung cancer.
Prostate Cancer
The article first appeared on weincluded.com
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