What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease where cells in the body start dividing uncontrollably causing them to become abnormal. Cancer occurs when cells divide without control and continue to do so indefinitely. As a result, they begin to crowd out normal cells and interfere with their function. There are many different types of cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, etc.
There are two types of cancer: primary and metastatic. Primary means that it starts in one place and spreads to other places. Metastatic means that it spreads from one part of the body to another. Most people know about the primary type of cancer, which is what we’ll talk about here.
You can also browse: Common questions about cancer
Symptoms of Cancer
Following are the common symptoms of Cancer
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Lumpiness
Lumpiness occurs when some cells become enlarged due to abnormalities in their shape and volume. The enlargement of these cells occurs due to abnormal accumulation of fluids inside them. These cells are also known as polycystic. Cancerous cells produce excessive amounts of mucus to protect themselves from the outside environment and also to provide nourishment for rapid growth. The excess amount of mucus produced by cancerous cells clogs the lymphatic system and prevents the flow of blood to the affected area. As a result, the body does not receive adequate oxygen supply. This causes redness, swelling, and discomfort in the area where the lump is formed.
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Bleeding
Bleeding can occur at any stage of cancer. If cancer has spread to the bone marrow, bleeding may occur after surgery. Other times, bleeding can happen if the tumor blocks the urinary tract. Bleeding can also be caused by ulcers or inflammation.
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Pain
Cancer pain is one of the most unpleasant experiences that people have to endure. In fact, this type of pain is the worst type of pain imaginable. It is even worse than childbirth! Pain caused by cancer can vary greatly across different types of cancer. In research of Fortis Hospital Gurugram, there are two most common types of cancer-related pain neuropathic (pain caused by damage to nerves) and inflammatory (caused by swelling). Neuropathic pain often appears first before cancer spreads. Inflammatory pain usually starts later and becomes severe once cancer has already invaded nearby organs. Cancer pain can start suddenly and get progressively worse over time.
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Weight loss
Weight loss is quite common among patients suffering from cancer. Because cancer cells eat constantly, they take away the nutrients from the rest of the body. This causes the patient’s weight to drop rapidly. While some cancer treatments make the patient gain weight temporarily, this increase in weight is only temporary. Therefore, it is important to maintain an optimal weight while undergoing treatment.
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Nausea
Nausea is also a symptom associated with cancer. When cancer cells begin multiplying uncontrollably, they cause nausea. Nausea is caused by several factors including changes in taste buds, increased acidity, and increased levels of hormones. A sudden change in diet can also trigger nausea. One way to relieve nausea is to drink ginger tea. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols that help calm the stomach and reduce the feeling of nausea.
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Swelling
Swelling is another sign of cancer. Cancerous tumors are often soft and rubbery and can be easily felt under the skin. The size of the tumor affects how much swelling there is. Large tumors tend to swell more than small ones. Tumors that invade nearby organs often cause swelling in those organs.
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Fever
Fever is a side effect that many cancer patients experience. Cancer cells release chemicals that cause fever. Also, certain chemotherapy drugs can cause fever in patients. To treat the fever, doctors prescribe medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
You can also read: Painkiller to Cancer Patients