The word, cancer, sends an eerie chill down everyone’s spine, or cascading gun fire in one’s mind. In medical terms, cancer is a group of cells, usually derived from a single cell that has lost its normal control mechanism. The consequence is unfettered cell growth. Cancer can begin almost anywhere in the body. While cancer cells from the primary — or, initial — site can spread, or metastasise, throughout the body, the disorder per se represents a group of more than one hundred different diseases — all of them highlighted by uninhibited, anomalous growth of cells. Cancer also spreads to and affects the lymph nodes — the tiny bean-shaped structures that filter the flow of lymph, an important part of the body’s immune system. Clusters of lymph nodes are sited in different parts of the body — the neck, groin and armpits.
Trying to ‘crack’ what causes cancer is synonymous to searching for a needle in a haystack. The factual cause of cancer is subject to conjecture. One may, for the sake of convenience, think of substances, or carcinogens, that are known to cause cancer — for example, nicotine. Sounds simple; actually, it is not. Because it’s often easier said than done to prove what substances cause cancer, most clinicians acquiesce to the fact that the treacherous disorder results from the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors, not just solitary threats.
Such factors may be external and internal. The former includes lifestyle indiscretions — smoking, chewing tobacco, alcohol overuse, obesity and so on. Environmental factors that may have a say in cancer are exposure to chemicals and radiation — including viral and bacterial infections that can injure cells and wilt our immune system. Most importantly, the basis of cancer may be related to our genes — this is inherited. One may also blame genetic mutations and hormonal contexts — e.g., oestrogen — for the onset of the dreadful disease, including genes getting dented by microorganisms, chemicals, sunlight, or tobacco abuse. Such genetic modifications, or acquired mutations, are slow in their onset. It takes more than a few years before full-scale cancerous cells ‘explode.’
Cancer can lead to a composite amalgam of symptoms. Symptoms may be subtle and apparent. Some symptoms — or, what are often called cautionary clues — are best identified by a specialist. Besides, there are symptoms that develop only after the disease progresses. They are not helpful in the early detection of cancer, although one would do well to quickly evaluate symptoms like unexplained nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as possible warning signs, or consequence of treatment. While some symptoms occur with almost all cancer types, there are others that are specific, especially when the disease is mounting. It is, therefore, essential to summon screening programmes for early detection and diagnosis of cancer. The reason is simple and insightful — the earlier the disease is detected, the more effective the treatment.
Cancer cells develop from healthy cells. The process — called transformation — is as complex as the disease itself. The first step, where cancer cells grow from healthy cells, is called as initiation. A change in the cell’s genetic material, especially in the DNA, and at times in the chromosomal structure, propels the cell to become cancerous. This may happen instinctively; it is also, contextually, triggered by genetic mutations and/or carcinogens — chemicals, tobacco, viruses, radiation and sunlight. All the same, there are no set rules for the progression of cancer. Also, not all cells are vulnerable to carcinogens. What makes cells weak is a genetic fault, not to speak of prolonged physical abnormality. The rest is disaster epitomised.
Well, despite all the gloom, it is yet plausible to ‘prevent’ cancer, though its incidence differs from one population to the other. In Japan, for example, there has customarily been a high occurrence of gastric cancer, unlike the US, where the frequency of colon cancer is high. It is also ironical that Japanese immigrants have seen a dramatic change in the pattern. This is purportedly because of a change in diet and lifestyle practices — from soya to Western diet — although not necessarily genetics.
Well, there’s no failsafe plan to prevent cancer, although one real way of doing it, imaginably, is by asking the cells in our body not to divide. This isn’t possible. Studies, therefore, suggest that it would be useful to take good care of one’s health, eating a balanced diet, with 4-5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables, taking appropriate nutritional supplements, doing regular exercise, also meditation, and most importantly giving up, or not smoking, and avoiding alcohol.
— First published in First India
