29/07/2025
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Cancer is a collection of many related diseases that affect the genes or development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer cells have abnormal functions such as abnormal cell division, abnormal cell growth and abnormal lifespan of cells or preventing cells to die when they should. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world but survival rates are improving for many types of cancer due to early screening, treatment and prevention services.
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There are more than 100 types of cancer and each type is named depending on the organ of tissues it affects. For example, brain cancer starts from the brain and lung cancer
starts from the lungs.
According to American National Cancer Institute, the common types of cancer include the following: (Institute, 2021)
1. Carcinoma: Type of cancer that affects the epithelial cells. Epithelial cells from a lining for most body organs. Carcinomas are many and are named basing on the epithelial cells affected.
2. Sarcoma: Sarcomas are cancers that form in borne and soft tissues of the body including blood vessels, lymph vessels and fibrous tissues such as tendons and ligaments. 3. Leukemia: These are cancers that begin in blood or bloodforming tissue of the bone marrow.
4. Lymphoma: This is a type of cancer that begins in lymphocytes or white blood cells (T cells and B cells). Lymphocytes are disease fighting white blood cells that are part of the immune system.
5. Multiple Myeloma: This is the type of cancer that begins in plasma cells. Abnormal plasma cells known as myeloma cells build up in the bone marrow and form tumours in bones and throughout the body.
6. Melanoma: This is the type of cancer that begins in cells called melanocytes. These are specialized cells that make melanin or skin colour pigment. Most melanomas form on the skin but can also form in other pigmented tissues such as the eye.
7. Brain and Spinal Cord tumours: Brain tumours are many and are named basing on the type of cell in which they are formed. Brain tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or Malignant (Cancerous).
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Cancer is caused by mutations or changes to the DNA within cells. Cell DNA contains genes which contain a set of instructions for every activity within the body including instructions telling the cell which functions to perform as well as
how to grow and divide. Errors in these sets of instructions can cause the cell to become cancerous by dividing uncontrollably and later on infiltrate to destroy other surrounding body tissue.
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1. Genetic or hereditary gene Mutation: An individual may be born with a gene mutation that may be inherited from parents and this type of mutation accounts for small percentage of cancers.
2. Gene Mutations that occur after birth: Most gene mutations occur after you are borne and are not inherited and causes for such mutations include: smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and lack of exercise.
It is important to note that gene mutations occur frequently during normal cell growth. However, cells contain a mechanism that recognize when mistakes occur and mistakes are corrected immediately. Sometimes when a mistake is missed then consequently this may cause cancerous cells to develop. (Mayoclinic, 2022)
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Sometimes cancer occurs in people who seemingly may not have any risk factors. Otherwise, factors known to increase your risk of developing cancer may include the following:
1. Age: Cancer may take a very long time to manifest and that is why most people diagnosed with cancer are 65 or older. Cancer is more common in older adults but it is not exclusively for adults and therefore it can be diagnosed at any age.
2. Life style or habits: Certain habits such smoking, drinking excessively, excessive exposure to the sun, over nutrition and unsafe s*x can contribute to different types of cancer.
3. Occupation hazards: Some jobs involve high risks of exposure to radiations such as x-rays operators, photocopiers, infrared radiations from hot plates, phone and computer operators.
4. Family history or heredity: If cancer is common in your family, it is possible that mutations are being passed from one generation to the next.
5. Your health condition: Chronic health conditions such as peptic ulcers may progress to cancer if not properly managed.
6. Environment: The environment or you surrounding may contain harmful chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. These chemicals may include passing smoke, tonners for printers, fumigation chemicals, agricultural chemicals, asbestos and benzene.
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Most cancers are non-communicable except cervical cancer which is transmitted by human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is transmitted mainly through un protected s*xual in*******se and most people are infected with HPV shortly after the onset of s*xual activity. More than 90% naturally fight the infection and it eventually clears.
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These signs and symptoms will vary depending on the type of cancer or the part of the body affected. Otherwise, some general symptoms may include the following: ๏ท Fatigue ๏ท Lump/mass or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin on palpation. ๏ท Skin changes such as yellowing, darkening or redness, sores that canโt heal and changes to existing moles. ๏ท Changes in bowel and bladder habits ๏ท Persistent cough or difficulty in breathing
Un intended weight loss ๏ท Difficulty in swallowing ๏ท Hoarseness ๏ท Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating ๏ท Night sweats or persistent un explained fevers ๏ท Persistent joint and muscle pains ๏ท Un explained bleeding or bruising
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1. Stop smoking: Smoking is linked to several types of cancer such as lung cancer and stopping now may reduce the risk of cancer in future.
2. Avoid excessive sun exposure: Sunshine has Ultra Violet (UV) rays which are known to cause skin cancer. Limit sun exposure by wearing protective clothing, being in the shade and applying sun screen
3. Eat a healthy diet: Avoid processed or refined foods and the diet should mainly include fresh foods, fruits and vegetables.
4. Exercise regularly: Physical exercise can lower the risk of cancer by maintaining normal body weight or reducing chances of obesity.
5. Regular cancer screening: Especially for women being screened for cervical cancer during antenatal care is recommended. 6. Avoid harmful use of alcohol: If you choose to drink, avoid alcohols with high alcohol content of over 15% V/V and only one bottle a day for women and two bottles for men is recommended.
7. Immunization: For vaccine preventable types of cancer like the cervical cancer, immunization using a recommended vaccine such as HPV vaccine is recommended at the right schedule.
Treatment of cancer is very expensive and not available to all health facilities within low income and middle-income countries. Such medication may involve, chemotherapy (pharmaceutical drugs), radiotherapy and surgery.
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Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) play a role in causing most cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus is s*xually transmitted.
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The cause for cervical cancer is not clear but itโs certain that HPV plays a role. HPV is very common, and most people with the virus never develop cancer. Other factors such as environment or lifestyle choices may also determine chances of developing cervical cancer.
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Risk or predisposing factors to Cervical Cancer include the following: Multiple s*xual partners: Women who engage in s*xual in*******se with multiple s*xual partners have greater chances of acquiring HPV and hence developing cervical cancer.
Early s*xual activity: Having s*x at an early age increases your risk of acquiring HPV and developing cervical cancer. Other s*xually transmitted infections (STIs): Having other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS increases your risk of HPV. A weakened immune system: Women who are immunosuppressed such those living with HIV/AIDS have increased chances of developing cervical cancer.
Smoking: Smoking is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer. Exposure to miscarriage prevention drug: For women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant in the 1950s, may have an increased risk of a certain type of cervical cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma. The children may also have similar chances of developing cervical cancer.
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Women at early stages of cervical cancer are generally asymptomatic or show no signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include: ๏ท
Vaginal bleeding after in*******se, between periods or after menopause ๏ท Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor ๏ท Pelvic pain or pain during in*******se
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The following are the preventive measures for cervical cancer:
Vaccination: Vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Routine Cervical Cancer screening: Cervical Cancer screening and Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer.
Practice safe s*x: Using a condom every time you have s*x and limiting the number of s*xual partners can help to reduce the risk of acquiring cervical cancer and other related s*xually transmitted diseases.
Quit smoking: Avoid smoking or quit smoking to avoid the risk of developing cervical cancer and other related types of cancer such as lung cancer.
Muwoya Simon Walubaya. (2023). A simplified approach to modern health care available via Amazon.com: A SIMPLIFIED APPROACH TO MODERN HEALTH CARE : A Better Guide to Health Care eBook : Walubaya, Muwoya Simon , Kenneth, Obita , Sam, Wozemba , David , Muwoya Wekhoola, Moses, Mutai , Zephaniah, Dr.Munyirwa , Geoffrey , Dr. Akena : Kindle Store https://share.google/JAgJ3eRuFVaid3cGl