What is Cancer?

It refers to a group of diseases that occur as a result of uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells in the body. Normally, What is cancer? In response to the question, cells grow, divide and replace dead cells according to the body's needs. However, this order is disrupted. Cells begin to grow uncontrollably and invade healthy tissues.

What are the symptoms of cancer?

What is cancer? It is a group of diseases that have a higher chance of cure when diagnosed at an early stage. However, symptoms may vary depending on the type, location and progression of the cancer. Some changes in the body may be a sign of cancer.

Sudden, unexplained weight loss is an early sign of many types of cancer, particularly pancreatic, stomach, esophageal and lung cancer.

Fatigue in cancer patients does not go away despite adequate rest. This symptom is common in blood cancers such as leukemia or in bowel or stomach cancers that cause blood loss.

Skin cancer and other types of skin changes can occur. New moles, lesions that grow or bleed, and changes in skin color should be noted.

Persistent headaches, bone pain, or pain in a specific area that doesn't go away could be signs of advanced cancer. Unexplained bleeding in the stool, urine, or rectum could be signs of stomach, colon, or kidney cancer.

Difficulty eating or persistent hoarseness may indicate head and neck cancer. Swelling in areas such as the neck, armpit or groin may be a sign of lymphoma or other types of cancer.

Cancer symptoms do not always indicate the presence of cancer. Many different health problems can also cause these symptoms. However, when such symptoms are noticed, a doctor should be consulted and the necessary check-ups should be done. Early diagnosis is life-saving.

What is Cancer? What Causes It?

What is cancer? It is a serious group of diseases that occur when cells in the body grow and multiply uncontrollably. Under normal conditions, cells divide according to the body's needs and damaged cells are destroyed after a certain process. However, in cancer, this order is disrupted; cells can grow uncontrollably and form masses called tumors. It can spread to other organs through the blood.

To understand why cancer occurs, genetic and environmental factors must be considered. Cancer occurs as a result of damage (mutations) to the genetic material DNA. These mutations cause cells to multiply abnormally and fail to self-destruct.

Some people are more prone to cancer because of genetic predispositions that run in their families. For example, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase the risk of breast cancer.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation and chemical substances increase the risk of cancer. Smoking is one of the main causes of lung, larynx and mouth cancer.

Some viruses and bacteria can lead to cancer. For example, human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer.

Factors such as unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity and stress pave the way for cancer. The risk of cancer increases with age because DNA damage accumulates as we age.

What is cancer? Although it is a complex disease, the risk can be reduced with early diagnosis and prevention. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and having regular health checks are of great importance in this process.

How Is Cancer Treated?

Cancer treatment varies depending on the type, stage, general health of the patient, and individual needs. Cancer treatments aim to stop the progression of the disease and reduce symptoms. They also aim to eliminate the cancer completely, if possible. Treatment methods are often planned to combine more than one approach.

Surgery is one of the most common methods of cancer treatment. The aim is to remove cancerous tissue and some of the healthy cells around it. This method can be more effective when the cancer is in its early stages. In some cases, surgical treatment is combined with other methods.

Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. These drugs are usually given intravenously or taken by mouth. Chemotherapy can target not only the cancerous area but also cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. However, it can cause side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.

Radiotherapy aims to destroy cancer cells using high-energy rays. It is very effective in localized cancers. It is usually used to shrink tumors or as a pre- or post-surgical treatment.

Immunotherapy aims to fight cancer by strengthening the immune system. It activates the immune system, which recognizes and destroys cancer cells.

Targeted therapies involve drugs that target specific genetic mutations. This method provides effective treatment with less damage to healthy cells. Hormone therapy is used to control hormone levels in hormone-sensitive cancers.

Cancer treatment is usually planned individually by a team of experts. What is cancer? Seeking an answer to the question with early diagnosis can significantly increase the success rate in the treatment process. Therefore, regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle are of great importance.