What You Should Know: Cancer
While it is often referred to as a single chronic condition, cancer is actually the name given to a collection of related diseases. Cancer is the abnormal growth of a cell that can occur in any part of the body. There are more than 100 different kinds of cancer, each differing depending on where it was first formed in the body.
In Malaysia alone there were as many as 43,837 new cancer cases recorded in 2018, with 26,395 cancer deaths in the same year. By 2030, the global burden is expected to grow to 21.7 million new cancer cases and 13 million cancer deaths.
Stages of Cancer
Cancer is typically assigned stages from 1 to 4, with stage 4 being the most severe stage of cancer. Staging of cancer can be different depending on the site it was formed, but it generally involves the spread of the cancer. The wider the spread of cancer cells throughout the body, the higher the stage given to that particular cancer.
Symptoms of Cancer
The appearance of the following signs on their own is not enough to diagnose the disease, and doesn’t always mean cancer. Many common ailments have similar symptoms or signs. However, these symptoms can act as hints for doctors and allow them to detect and treat any potential problems earlier. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the more favourable the prognosis of treatment becomes.
If you display any symptoms that occur persistently or concern you, please consult with a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms include:
Extreme fatigue
Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain
Unusual changes in your skin i.e. new moles, bumps, or areas where the skin has thickened or darkened
Unexpected weight loss
High fever
Persistent cough and hoarseness in the throat
Anemia
Sores that won’t heal
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Even if you do not display any of the above symptoms but are still worried about your risk of cancer, especially if you have a family history of it, be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Ask about the procedure for cancer screening and if there are any available screenings that are appropriate for you.
Causes of Cancer
There are risk factors of cancer which are preventable or manageable. They are:
Smoking
Heavy alcohol consumption
Poor nutrition
Physical inactivity
Excess body weight
Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens)
Other causes for cancer are not preventable. These include factors such as old age and genetics. Cancer can be inherited through family bloodlines, although inherited genetic mutations only contribute to about 5%-10% of all cancer cases.
How Cancer Affects People
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Cancer is not only a chronic condition that severely affects the body, but it is also a form of psychological trauma. Receiving a diagnosis for cancer may result in a loss of functioning and dignity for the affected individual, as they feel that things are spiralling out of their control. Experiencing a sense of doom is not uncommon, and other challenges may come with the diagnosis, such as financial implications and a change of roles and responsibilities in the family.
Possible physical effects of cancer and cancer treatment are pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, nausea, difficulty eating, diarrhoea or constipation, weight loss, chemical changes in the body and trouble concentrating or remembering things. Some kinds of chemotherapy can make hair fall out, although the hair usually grows back in 2 to 3 months after the end of the treatment.
Cancer patients may also experience depression. Depression affects up to 20% of patients with cancer while anxiety affects 10% of patients, regardless of the phase of cancer or the type of treatment. Some cancers can release chemicals that are thought to cause depression, and certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and corticosteroids are associated with depression.
This is why social support is important for a cancer patient. This can be through family members, more distant relatives, friends, mental health professionals or support groups. Patients must know that they are not going into this battle with cancer on their own. Patients are encouraged to openly share their concerns with their doctors so that they are able to help them with their problems or direct the patient to a third party that can help, e.g. psychologists, counsellors or even social workers.
Treatment for Cancer
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The days where a diagnosis of cancer is equivalent to a death sentence are gone. Thanks to modern technology, a lot of things can be done to treat cancer. However, it cannot be denied that the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, as the success rate of treatment is dependent on early detection. Thus, it is important for people to attend medical check-ups and cancer screenings regularly. Early screening is recommended for those with a family history of cancer. Otherwise, it is recommended to get some form of screening or check-up annually from the age of 40.
Different types of cancer require different kinds of treatment. The main types of treatment are:
Surgery
A medical procedure or operation to remove the cancer cells from your body. Applicable for certain cancers especially when detected early or if the cancer has not spread.
Radiotherapy
The use of high doses of radiation targeted at cancer cells to kill them or shrink tumors.
Chemotherapy
The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. This is done either by inserting the medicine through an IV drip or by taking it orally. Chemotherapy is usually the option for cancer that has already spread and is at stage 3 or 4.
However, cancer treatment is constantly evolving, and now there are also treatments such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy.
