Cancer

INTRODUCTION:
Cancer is a pathological condition which is characterized by the uncontrolled cell division which leads to the accumulation of the cells in various body parts which are referred as “Tumors” .Cancer is of two types, Benign and Malignant. Benign being quiescent and Malignant is the condition in which the tumors spread to the various body parts.

TARGET ORGANS:
Generally, the effected organs are the breast, testis (male), prostate gland, bladder, lungs, ovaries in women.

CAUSES:
Cancer in general mainly affects due to the smoking and alcohol consumption which act as the “carcinogenic agents”. “Mutagens” are the chemical substances which have the caliber to induce mutation (alteration in the gene code) with their stimulating effect on the rate of cell mitosis. Faster rates of mitosis leaves less time for repair enzymes to repair damaged DNA during DNA replication, increasing the chances of a genetic mistake.Genes which are responsible for cancer are, Oncogenes which promote the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Tumor suppressor genes which inhibit cell division. Tumor suppressor genes are inhibited by cancer-promoting genetic changes. Typically, changes in many genes are required to transform a normal cell into a cancer Cell like the Translocation which occurs when two separate chromosomal regions become abnormally joined.
The other sources include the ionizing radiation and prolonged exposure to the U.V. radiation, harmonal imbalances and genetic disorders.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
As “Prevention is Better than Cure”, individual measures like good food habits must be maintained. Alcohol consumption and smoking must be avoided. Exercising daily is a must.

TREATMENT:
Cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy. Surgery treatment involves the complete removal of the tumor which is not always possible in the cases where the tumor is wide spread. Chemotherapy involves the usage of drugs which act by repairing the damaged D.N.A like methotrexate.The cytotoxic drugs remove the accumulated cells.
Radiation Therapy involves the exposure of the affected organs to the ionizing radiation which kills the cancer cells.