The
immune system of the body is always wary about abnormal cell growth
that it attacks these before they begin to multiply. Being the body's
main defense system, patrolling immune system cells perform body-wide
surveillance, spying on and eliminating cells that are abnormal, or
those that undergo malignant transformation. However, cancer cells
reproduce rapidly and may disguise in a sneaky way that the immune
system may not be aware and maybe eluded. In the image presented, a
cancer cell is being attacked by the immune system.Watching someone die from this unbearable disease and knowing that there is nothing you can do is the worst feeling. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone or any one's family member. My grand mother was diagnosed in July 2013 of stage for cancer. She was doing so well up until recently, in a matter of weeks she couldn't walk, in a matter of days she couldn't talk. It's like all the symptoms are hitting her all at once. The only thing left for my family and I to do is to make her as comfortable as possible while her body undergoes attack with this stage four disease.
Cancer, known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a broad group of diseases involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invading nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not invade neighboring tissues and do not spread throughout the body. There are over 200 different known cancers that affect humans.
The causes of cancer are diverse, complex, and only partially understood. Many things are known to increase the risk of cancer, including tobacco use, dietary factors, certain infections, exposure to radiation, lack of physical activity, obesity, and environmental pollutants. These factors can directly damage genes or combine with existing genetic faults within cells to cause cancerous mutations. Approximately 5–10% of cancers can be traced directly to inherited genetic defects. Many cancers could be prevented by not smoking, eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains, eating less meat and refined carbohydrates, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, minimizing sunlight exposure, and being vaccinated against some infectious diseases.
Cancer can be detected in a number of ways, including the presence of certain signs and symptoms, screening tests, or medical imaging. Once a possible cancer is detected it is diagnosed by microscopic examination of a tissue sample. Cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The chances of surviving the disease vary greatly by the type and location of the cancer and the extent of disease at the start of treatment. While cancer can affect people of all ages, and a few types of cancers are more common in children, the risk of developing cancer generally increases with age. In 2007, cancer caused about 13% of all human deaths worldwide (7.9 million). Rates are rising as more people live to an old age and as mass lifestyle changes occur in the developing world.
