Symptoms of Cancer

Introduction:

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells develop in the body, divide uncontrollably, and destroy normal tissue. It often tends to spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Although cancer has a high fatality rate, survival rates are improving day by day due to the revolutionary developments in cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. Early diagnosis helps in treating the condition better and improving the health of the patient. One should undertake regular checkups and consult their doctors if they find any unusual changes in their health.

What Causes Cancer?

Cancer develops due to DNA mutations within a cell which can be caused by many factors, and there is no one single cause for it. Some of the risk factors contributing to cancer development include:

• Physical carcinogens like radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light.

• Viral infections such as human papillomavirus and other infections.

• Genetic factors or mutations can cause cancer.

• Lifestyle risk factors (tobacco and alcohol consumption, obesity, etc.)

What Are the Symptoms of Cancer?

The symptoms of cancer may vary widely depending on the type of cancer, the body part that is affected, and the severity of the condition. Perhaps in some cases, the patient might not experience any major symptoms nor be diagnosed at an early stage until it progresses to a much more severe condition. But modern-day developments in cancer screenings, prevention, and treatments make ways easy for an early diagnosis of cancer before the symptoms appear.

There are more than 100 different types of cancer, and the symptoms and signs highly vary with each different type. Cancer cells suppress the immune system of an individual and cause the immune system to react in such a way that it produces these signs and symptoms.

General Signs and Symptoms of Cancer:

Some of the common general signs and symptoms of cancer in men and women include:

• Fatigue: A cancer patient experiences extreme fatigue that does not resolve even after proper rest or sleep. It is much different from the fatigue that an individual experiences in daily life after a long workday or after any physical activity. Extreme fatigue could be an early sign of cancer.

Cancer-related fatigue is mostly caused by the cancer cells that absorb body nutrients to grow and expand, thus causing nutrient depletion to normal healthy cells and failing in body replenishment. Cancer cells depend on various body nutrients. Current research says that cancer cells depend on the amino acid “Glutamine” which is one of the most important nutrients for their survival.

• Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss is seen in cancer patients. In certain cases, weight gain is evident too. A regular weight check or if any unusual weight loss is seen, then it is highly recommended to consult the doctor to know its underlying cause.

• Pain: Pain is not a common feature in cancer patients, but they may experience pain as a result of the disease itself or due to side effects of the cancer treatment. Cancer pain is often caused by the cancer-associated tumor pressing over bones, nerves, or any organ in the body.

• Fever: Fever in cancer patients is seen mostly in leukemia (blood cancer) and lymphomas like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients experience persistent low-grade or high-grade fever with an unknown cause. The fever rises mostly at night, leading to night sweats. It usually denotes that cancer has spread or progressed to an advanced stage. It is rarely seen as a symptom in the early stage of the disease.

• Skin Changes: Skin changes like moles or warts that become enlarged could be a possible sign of skin cancer. The presence of lumps underneath the skin may be associated with breast cancer. Oral cancer shows the presence of white or red patches inside the mouth. The other common skin changes include pigmentations on the skin, Jaundice, redness or swelling over the affected area, etc.

What Are the Problems and Changes Associated With Cancer?

Some of the problems associated with cancer include;

Eating Problems: The symptoms that affect eating include;

• Loss of appetite.

• Heartburn or indigestion.

• Difficulty in swallowing.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Persistent bloating.

Problem Associated With Voice and Breathing:

• Persistent cough.

• Hoarseness or cracky voice.

• Breathlessness.

Bladder Changes:

• Pain and difficulty while urinating.

• Blood discharge in urine.

Neurological Problems: Neurological complications of cancer include:

• Headache and seizures.

• Visual problems.

• Memory problems.

• Drooping of face.

• Ischaemic stroke etc.

Does Pain Occur Due to Cancer Treatment?

Yes, Sometimes the pain is caused by cancer treatments too. Pain is a potential side effect of chemotherapy. It causes painful side effects like burning, numbness, pain in hands and feet, mouth sores, headache, and muscle and stomach pain.

The main reason behind this is that chemotherapy not only targets cancer cells but also targets normal cells due to the inability to differentiate between normal and cancerous cells. New concepts like “ targeted therapy” are developed to overcome traditional chemotherapy, which is cytotoxic to most cells. In targeted therapy, drugs target mainly the cancer cells leaving the normal cells without affecting them.

How Cancer Is Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of cancer plays a vital role in treating the condition better. A routine consultation with the doctor will help in delineating any unusual changes in the body that may be associated with cancer. Some of the diagnostic measures include:

• Physical Examination: A physical examination is conducted to see the symptoms associated with cancer.

• Laboratory Tests: Tests such as blood tests like complete blood count and urine tests can detect the markers associated with cancer. An abnormality in the count of blood cells will help in diagnosing cancer.

• Imaging Tests: Tests like CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray, ultrasound, and PET (positron emission tomography) scans help in the identification of tumors.

• Biopsy: The healthcare provider may take a sample of the cells from the affected area and check it under a microscope to check the presence of cancer cells.

How to Treat Cancer?

The various cancer treatment options include;

1. Chemotherapy: The treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given orally or intravenously.

2. Radiation Therapy: The high energy beam radiations are used to destroy the cancer cells. It can be given solely or with other cancer treatments.

3. Surgery: It is the first-line treatment of cancer. The surgery includes the excision of the cancer tissue. It is advisable only when the cancer is non-spreading.

4. Immunotherapy: These are the drugs used to kill cancer cells and are effective.

5. Targeted Drug Therapy: The drugs are used to target specific cancer pathways that are involved in the growth of cancer.

How to Prevent Cancer?

Not all cancers can be prevented, but making healthy changes in our lives can lower the risk of getting cancer. Some cancer-prevention tips that reduce the risk of cancer development are as follows:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle like avoiding tobacco usage, limiting alcohol consumption, etc.

• Eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.

• Maintain a healthy weight by eating less high-calorie foods and indulging in physical activities like exercises, yoga, etc.,

• Protection from sun exposure. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer. Use sunscreens and protective clothing, and avoid going out in the middle of the day to protect the skin from sun exposure.

• Getting vaccinated (for example, the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer and some other types of cancer).

• Regular medical care.

Conclusion:

The symptoms of cancer may vary depending on the type, severity of cancer, and the body part which is affected by cancer. Symptoms become much more evident in the later stages of the disease. Most cancers cannot be prevented, but making healthy changes in our lifestyle and undertaking certain preventive measures can reduce the risk factors of developing cancer. Consult a doctor if an individual experiences any cancer-related symptoms to delineate the condition.