Cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in an organ or tissue. Cancer can develop from almost any organ and tissue. Although there are many types of cancer, they all start with the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells.
Although the exact cause of cancer is unknown, there are factors that increase the risk of developing cancer. These risk factors can be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable factors. The non-modifiable factors are age, gender, and family history. Modifiable factors are environmental factors. Environmental factors such as ultraviolet, different chemical agents, cigarettes, some foods, radiation and viruses usually cause cell deterioration. While the reason for the deterioration of the cell's structure is about 90% environmental factors, only 10% depends on genetic factors.
Cancer starts from a single cell. That single cell;
• degeneration first,
• then divide and multiply indefinitely,
• bypass the immune system,
• then form a mass,
• spread to surrounding tissues,
• reaching distant organs
• and eventually threatening life with organ failure
Except for muscle and nerve cells, normal cells in the body have the ability to divide. The ability to divide is a physiological mechanism that enables the healing of wounds and the regeneration of dead or damaged cells. However, this is not unlimited, the number of divisions of each normal cell is predetermined, and the time when each cell will die is also determined. Cells that have completed their life or function die programmed (apaotosis). Normal cells do not have the ability to divide and reproduce indefinitely. The disappearance of this braking system is a factor that paves the way for cancer. Cancer cells that divide and multiply uncontrollably form masses called tumors that can reach large sizes. These uncontrollably growing masses can suppress the surrounding normal tissues and organs, invade (invade) and disrupt their functions. In addition, after reaching a certain size, they can enter the lymph or blood circulation, go to distant parts of the body, form new tumor colonies in these areas and continue to grow (metastasis). However, not every tumor is cancer, there are also benign tumors formed by benign cells. their cancer The most important difference is that they do not spread to other parts of the body, that is, they do not metastasize.
Our immune system constantly finds and destroys degenerating cells. Tumor cells produce certain chemical signals to overcome the immune system. In this way, they can overcome the immune system barrier.
Although there are many different types of cancer that can develop from almost every organ and tissue, breast cancer is the most common cancer in general when non-melanoma skin cancers are excluded. Prostate, lung and colon cancers follow. However, the most common type of cancer differs between men and women. The frequency of cancer may differ according to geographical regions and race. Lung cancer is followed by breast cancer, which is seen in the first place in women both in our country and in the USA. Lung and prostate cancers are most common in men. , persistent severe pain, palpable masses, fever, some skin changes are the symptoms that should be warning signs that can be seen in many types of cancer. , bloody discharge from the breast are very important symptoms that must be investigated. Apart from these, headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, persistent abdominal pains, difficulty urinating, changes in defecation patterns, all kinds of changes in moles and skin, and non-healing wounds, masses that develop in the body, especially in the breast, should be investigated in detail.
Breast cancer, colon cancers, uterine and cervical cancers are cancers that can be detected at an early stage with prostate cancer screening methods and can be effectively treated when caught at an early stage. It is very important to have regular screenings, starting at different times depending on the type of cancer. In particular, people with a family history of these cancers should have regular screening and their symptoms should be taken seriously. It is obligatory to consult a doctor immediately.
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