Cancer can develop anywhere in the body. Cells grow abnormally and become cancerous because of environmental factors, such as smoking cigarettes and exposure to radiation; genetics, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and even just luck (Stern et al., 2004). Even though genetics play the primary role in the development of cancer, the environment in which one lives also contributes to the chances of getting cancer. Some of the environmental factors that influence the development of cancer include alcohol use, obesity, asbestos, HIV, and Down’s syndrome.
Cancer is a disease when abnormal cells divide without control and invade other tissues in the body. Normal cells divide in a regulated way to generate new cells that are needed to keep the body healthy. Cancer cells are when the normal cell division process goes awry. When this happens cells don’t die like they’re supposed to, and new cells are produced when the body doesn’t need them. When cancer cells form a lump of tissue it’s called a tumor. There are two types of tumors, malignant, and benign. A benign tumor isn’t cancerous, and can often be removed, and in most cases, they don’t come back. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body like malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are cancerous. The cells within the malignant tumor spread from one part of the body to another and also invade nearby tissue which is called metastasis.
Cancer is a disease of abnormal cells in which they divide uncontrollably and can eventually metastasize throughout the body. Cancer actually is not just one disease; there are over 100 types of cancer and are usually named after the type of cell/organ that they began in. Brain cancer can be classified into two groups: metastatic and primary brain tumors. Metastatic brain cancer begins in another organ and ultimately spreads to the brain. Primary brain tumors begin when malignant cancer cells arise in brain tissue. The long term prognosis of brain cancer varies from less that 10% to 32%. Children usually have a better projected outcome as 75% will survive longer than five years. Without proper treatment of the cancer it can result quickly in death. Brain cancer is a very harsh disease and only has a few effective treatments.
What treatments are the most effective to curing cancer?
Cancer has become a very common illness which has affected more that 12 million people over the world since the 1970’s (Ahmedin, 2011). The diagnosis of cancers has been on the increase and many new kinds are being discovered. There are over 200 different kinds of cancers, most of which many people are unfamiliar with. Each type of cancer has different symptoms and many are diagnosed differently.
Cancer has been seen in humans as one the most potentially fatal disease for thousands of years and only in the recent couple of hundred years have we discovered that most information necessary to bring us to today’s understanding and knowledge (Kenny 2007, Weinberg 1996) was achieved by extensive research of cells, DNA, and epidemiology studies. As we know, currently cancer is acknowledged as having over a hundred different diseases, and is known to be the result of mutations of the genes and almost similar DNA which are responsible for the amount of cell division and production (Kenny 2007). Restraint of cell growth modulators can be a direct lead and result of certain tumours being developed and subsequently allow these tumours to acquire the ability to attack and occupy the bloodstream and essentially be able to travel via the bloodstream to other parts and organs in human bodies which is known as metastasis (Loeb et Al 2003). Once this has occurred , the cancer is then categorized as malicious and becomes a dangerous and serious threat to the carrier (Weinberg 1996). In this essay I will describe and explain the process of this and how our genes mutate and lead to metastasis of cancer cells.
Introduction
The body is composed of cells. Normally, these cells divide at a composed and calculated manner. If cells die or are destroyed, the body creates more cells through the division of existing cells. However, occasionally, problems with some cells in the body may occur.
Cancer is a deadly disease that affects millions of American families each year. In cancer, cell division isn't controlled. Usually, cells have to go through a set of checks and balances before they divide, in cancer that is nonexistent. The cells just keep duplicating until they eventually form disorganized clumps called tumors. Tumors can either be, benign, meaning that they do not possess the power to metastasize to surrounding areas. If a tumor has the power to metastasize, it is classified as a malignant tumor. In simple terms, a benign tumor is not cancerous, and a malignant tumor is. Cancer cells cannot perform the necessary functions they were created for. Some types of cancers, like pancreatic cancer, cannot be cured. Other cancers such as melanoma and breast cancer have high survival rates when caught early. The four major types of treatments used to treat cancer include, surgery to remove the affected organ, radiation, chemotherapy, or biological treatments.
Cancer Overview
Cancer is one of the primary causes of death worldwide, and one of the two largest groupings of diseases in the Western world, with the other being cardiovascular diseases (Teunissen, et al., 2007). Globally, one out of every eight deaths is cancer related, but what does this truly mean? Cancer is a term used to describe the diseases that involve the uncontrolled division of cells, also known as neoplasms, which typically originate from a larger mass of cells, referred to as a tumor; these cells later spread to other tissues and organs, increasing the spread of the disease. The cells infiltrate adjoining bodily tissues, disrupting their primary functions; these cells may also become detached from their main origin site, traveling by blood and lymph to sites far removed from the original tumor location, forming fresh colonies in a process referred to as metastasis or secondary growth (Stratton, Campbell, & Futreal, 2009). Each type of cancer is classified based on the cell or tissue that was initially infected within the patient’s body; consequently, there are over 100 different types of cancer, presenting major challenges for scientific research.
Breast Cancer
Ashley McCamey
4/15/2014
Breast cancer. The second leading cause of death among women. In the United States, over 220,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 will die each year. In men, 2,150 will be diagnosed and only 410 will die. Statistically only 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer and the risk is generally determined by genetics, diet, and lifestyle.
Cancer Chemotherapy and Personalized Medicine
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. It is known to promote the harboring of accumulated genetic alterations in normal host cells, which then promote cancerous growth. Cancer chemotherapy attempts to eradicate or functionally disable tumor cells by the use of synthetic and/or natural compounds while preserving normal cells. Chemotherapeutic agents can eliminate tumor cells by direct cytotoxicity, activating host immune response, inhibiting the proliferation processes of tumor cells and inducing apoptosis.