[EDITORIAL]Cancer : The Ravaging Disease In Human Body

Human beings and other animals have had cancer throughout recorded history. The earliest evidence of cancer is found among fossilized bone tumors, human mummies in ancient Egypt and ancient manuscripts.

Growths suggestive of bone cancer called osteosarcoma have been seen in mummies.

Bony skull destruction as seen in cancer of the head and neck has been found, too.

The deadly disease, called “cancer” today, (although the word cancer was not used then) was discovered in Egypt and dates back to about 3000BC. It’s called the Edwin Smith Papyrus and is a copy of part of an ancient Egyptian textbook on trauma surgery. It describes eight cases of tumors or ulcers of the breast that were removed by cauterization with a tool called the fire drill.

The origin of the word cancer is credited to the Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370BC), who is considered the “father of medicine”. Hippocrates used the terms carcinos and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer forming and ulcer-forming tumors.

However, many scientists from 15th- 19th century has been able to develop greater understanding of the human body. Scientists like Galileo and Newton began to use the scientific method, which later was used to study disease. Autopsies, done by Harvey (1628), led to an understanding of the circulation of blood through the heart and body that had until then been a mystery.

The modern understanding that cancer is a disease of DNA, and that DNA mutations led to loss of control of cell proliferation, was in its infancy. In 20th century, cancer has become so common reason that fated infections began to wane, due to public health measures.

Cancer occurs when genetic mutations in abnormal cells cause them to divide rapidly. One can inherit mutations or develop them due to environmental factors. How common is Cancer?
According to the American Cancer society, 1in 2 men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 1in 3 women and people assigned female at birth (AFAM) will develop cancer. As of 2019, more than 16.9 million people in the U.S were living with cancer.

The most common cancers in the United States are:
*Breast Cancer: it mostly affects women and people AFAB but about 1 percent of all breast cancer cases affect men and people AMAB.

• Lung Cancer: this is the second most common cancer. There are two types of lung cancer, which are; non-small cancer and small cell lung cancer.
• Prostate Cancer: this cancer affects 1 in 9 men and people AMAB.
• Blood Cancer: leukemia and lymphoma are the most common blood cancers.

Who’s affected by Cancer?

Almost anyone may develop cancer, but data show cancer cases vary based on race or sex. According to the 2022 Annual Report on Cancer, the disease

• Affect slightly more men than women
• Affects more black men than people in other racial groups
• Affects more women who are American Indian or Alaska natives than people in other racial group. Cancer typically affects people ages 60 and older.

Causes of Cancer?

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O), about 33percent of cancer deaths may be caused by tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and not getting enough physical activity.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer:

• Lumps or growth in the body
• Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
• unexplained weight loss
• Sore that never heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge, fever, pain, night sweats, changes in digestion and skin.

Treatments and preventive measures for cancer:

Cancer treatment can include different options, depending on the types of cancer and how advanced it is.
Localized treatment in form of surgery or local radiation therapy.
Systematic treatment involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immuno therapy for the entire body.
Alternative medicine for cancer can include: acupuncture, yoga, massage, relaxation techniques.

Considerably, if the victims and non- victim adhere strictly to the saying ” prevention is better than cure”, it will be surprising to have little or low rate of cancer victims. Hence, here are some preventive measures;

• —Avoiding tobacco and second hand smoke, Limiting intake of processed meat
• —Eating a diet that focuses mainly on plant based foods, lean protein and healthy fats.
• —Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation
• —Maintaining a moderate body weight and BMI.
• —Doing regular moderate physical activity for 150-300 minutes per week. Do a regular check-up in order to detect early symptoms…[CONTINUE READING HERE]