Today being the 3rd of February is the day that has been set aside to create awareness on cancer, encourage it's prevention, detection and treatment. Founded by the ( UICC ). Union Of International Cancer Control to support the goals of world cancer declaration.
Raising awareness and targeting misinformation about cancer is the sole aim of this day and as much awareness is created offline, it should also be created online.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CANCER ?
Unusual division or multiplication of body cells to form lump or mass of tissue known as tumors. There are over 200 types of cancer known and have been diagnosed of. The breast cancer being the most prominent form in women and the prostate in men. There also is Leukemia (abnormal cell division in the blood stream ), Cancer of the Cervix (cervical cancer ), Colon Cancer, Anal Cancer, Liver Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Vulvar Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and so many more.
Cancer can affect all body tissues except the ones with already dead cells. For example The nails, outer shell of the teeth and the hair.
CAN CANCER BE TRANSMITTED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER ?
Transmittable diseases are basically spread through skin contact, body fluid contact, air, water.
cancer's on the other hand are cellular dysfunctions. They cannot be transmitted from a person to another. Cancer cells from a person generally wouldn't survive in the body of another because a person's body actively destroys foreign cells.
WHAT ABOUT HEREDITARY ?
SOURCE
Gene mutations can be inherited from parents putting such individual at an higher risk of eventually being diagnosed with the disease. This cancer type is known as hereditary cancer. Cancer's that occur non genetically are Sporadic cancers.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CANCER
Collectively, Cancer's can cause almost any sign and symptom depending on the location of the cancer. Most times, the symptoms do not spew forth till the late stages of the disease causing more complications and threats to life.
As cancer grows it begins to push against organs and blood vessels of the body. Most symptoms seem insignificant and may be passed on as simple problems that do not require medical attention. this is extremely dangerous. Cancer's depending on the location produce different symptoms, a little breast lump ,may either be a cyst that would eventually go away or may be a abscess tissue formed due to breast cancer. There is no definite symptom for this disease which makes it all the more deadly.
Individuals should endeavor to check in with a medical personnel at the slightest body problems. Self diagnosis and medication should be avoided.
Not all head-aches are symptoms of malaria. Re-occurring ones may be signs of pressure against the cranial nerves as a result of a tumor. Not all tumors are visible.
SOME CERTAIN CANCERS HAVE SOME SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
- Long term constipation, change in the size of stool may be a sign of Colon Cancer.
- pain when passing urine or blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder cancer. It mat also be a sign of some infections, so do not assume instead check in with a doctor.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, painful menstruation may be signs of Ovarian, Vaginal or Cervical cancer.
- Ingestion and swallowing problems may be caused by Cancer of the esophagus, stomach or pharynx. Most times these symptoms are caused by problems other than cancer.
THERE ARE OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT ARE NOT LISTED ABOVE. IF ANY CHANGE IS NOTICED WITH THE WAY THE BODY WORKS, IMMEDIATE REPORT TO THE DOCTOR IS ADVISED. EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER INCREASES THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.
Being optimistic and keeping a positive mind set is easier said than done when dealing with diagnosis of this illness. Our fate is not in our hands, the doctors seem to try their every best. Most times their best is not enough. Most times it seems like there is victory but then there is a relapse. Most have lost loved ones, most are losing loved ones and most are still waiting to know their fate. This day has been set aside to not only enlighten the mass, but to sympathize with those who have lost people to cancer and to encourage those battling with cancer.
So in my own way I would say to the masses :-
YOU BEAT CANCER BY WHY YOU LIVE, HOW YOU LIVE AND THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU LIVE.
To those who have lost love ones :-
DO NOT REMEMBER THEM WITH SADNESS OR TEARS, REMEMBER THEM WITH LOVE AND REMEMBER THE LAUGHTER YOU SHARED THROUGH OUT THE YEARS.
To the sick and hospitalized :-
BEING A VICTIM OR A SURVIVOR IS A MATTER OF MINDSET. FIND BEAUTY IN YOUR SITUATION. YOU WON'T BE THE PERSON YOU WERE BEFORE THE CANCER BUT THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BAD THING.