Most Common Cancer

What is cancer?

Cancer is a complex disease which may start from one cell and, left unchecked, may spread throughout the body. It occurs when a cell starts growing out of design and replicates more abnormal cells forming a tumor as in case of the breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women and the prostrate cancer which is the most common cancer in men. Cancer is named after the organ from which it originates like breast cancer, skin cancer and prostrate cancer.

Most Common Cancer

Any unusual development of a new sore or deformation and growth of a previous mole , unintended weight loss, anorexia or loss of appetite, presence of a lump in a tissue or bone, discoloration or unusually itching of skin without an apparent infection with or without fever, may be the symptoms of  cancer.

Is common cancer terminal?

That; every common cancer is terminal right from its onset, is a horrid misconception. Time of diagnosis of cancer is of crucial importance and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better it is from treatment point of view.
 In an early stage, a benign (harmless) tumor or malignant (cancerous) part is removable by surgery whereas its having once invaded the other organs or entered the lymphatic nodes or mainstream blood vessels, is no more a surgical option. Survival rate is directly proportional to the stage of cancer, the last stage;(metastasis) when cancer has spread and invaded distal body parts, is a matter of palliative care only.

What is the prevalence of other cancers?

The most common Breast Cancer prevalence is twenty two percent followed by seventeen percent Prostate and eleven percent Coleorectal cancer and the remaining fifty percent is shared by other cancers like Bladder, Skin and Lung cancer. Cancer statistics indicates that half of the total patients suffer from breast, prostate or coleo rectal cancer.

Is the role of international community satisfactory?

International community has a unanimous opinion in respect of some risk factors like the use of tobacco. Ironically the practical approach is weird and hypocritical; we really don’t mean what we say. On one hand we ban smoking in public places, airports, and aircrafts and spend a lot to advertise that smoking is injurious to health and may cause cancer. It is legal requirement to advertise antismoking warning prominently on each and every packet of cigarettes, while on the other hand ,we simultaneously allow to produce as many cigarettes as can generate huge revenue. Unity of purpose in respect of cancer is lacking at international level.

What types of treatments are available?

Surgery in the early stage diagnosis is the best option and in case of breast cancer, it is not a simple matter of removal of the malignant part but also a matter of great concern from restorative surgery point of view. Radio therapy and chemotherapy are the most prevalent modes of treatment for common cancer. None is however without after effects like hair loss, and at times of loss of memory too.