Cancer : Together we Can!!

This is my humble effort to create awareness and willingness to fight cancer.
I have planned my line of action as follows. (I need help from everybody.)

1.  I am circulating the information about Cancer Symptoms, Causes and Prevention to as many readers as possible. I have complied this information with help of Cancer specialists, a retired WHO Preventive Medicine Physician and from search engines. For conveying this information I am using this Blog, Social media and email campaigns.
2. I am distributing hard copies of this information to people who I come across, even at traffic signals, railway stations, airport waiting lounges and residential societies.
3. I want to translate this information into all Indian regional languages . For this I need assistance.

I do not want this blog/information to be a simple extract of internet information but I want visitors of the blog to add in their experiences, comments and suggestions.

Cancer affects every life. Every person has some fear of facing cancer in their life. The impact of cancer is far greater than mere numbers. Its diagnosis causes immense emotional trauma and its treatment a major economical burden. This disease is associated with a lot of fear and despair in India.

CANCER

Cancer is a term used to describe different types of diseases involving uncontrolled cellular growth leading to invasion and destruction of other tissues in the body. Cancer prevalence in India is estimated to be around 2.5 million, with over 2500 new cases and 1500 deaths occurring daily due to this disease.

More than 70% of the cases report for diagnostic and treatment services in the advanced stages of the disease, which has led to a poor survival and high mortality rate.

Early detection of this disease can improve survival chances by a great extent.

CANCER SYMPTOMS

      One should never ignore these symptoms as these can help early detection of Cancer.

· Persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva can be bronchitis or sinusitis, but can also be cancer of lung, head or neck. Cough lasting beyond a month or with blood in the mucus needs further investigation.

· A change in bowel habits lasting for more than few days can be due to colon cancer, especially if one has pencil-thin stools. Some people with cancer feel as if they need to have a bowel movement, and still feel that way after they have had a bowel movement.

· Blood in the stools is more likely to be because of Hemorrhoids but can also be due to rectal cancer.

· Anemia can be due to many underlying causes but unexplained anemia needs further investigation, as it can be due to bowel cancer which causes iron deficiency.

· All Breast lumps must be thoroughly investigated.

· Lumps in the Testicles, Most men (90%) with Cancer of testicles have a painless or uncomfortable lump on a testicle. Some men have an enlarged testicle. Other conditions such as infections and swollen veins can also cause changes in your testicles, but any lump should be evaluated.

· Changes in urination such as frequent urination, small amounts of urine and slow urine flow. These symptoms may signal Prostate Cancer. Cancer of the bladder and pelvic tumors can also cause irritation of the bladder and increase urination frequency.

· Blood in Urine can be urinary infection or kidney stone, but also can be due to cancer of bladder.

· Hoarseness lasting for more than 3-4 weeks can be due to Cancer of throat

· Persistent lumps or swollen glands lasting for more than 3-4 weeks can be due to cancer. Swelling due to infection or other causes will shrink after a week.

· Change in a wart or a mole with irregular edges or one that bleeds may be cancerous.

· Indigestion and difficulty swallowing can be because of many simple causes but difficulty in swallowing solids especially in elderly persons can be cancer of esophagus

· Unusual Vaginal bleeding or discharge, bleeding after intercourse, between periods, bleeding which comes back and lasts for two or more days, and postmenopausal bleeding can be indicative of various cancers of reproductive system and need proper investigation.

· Unexpected weight loss, night sweats or fever can be present with several types of cancers.

· Continued itching in the anal or genital area not relieved by OTC medications can imply Cancer.

· Change in Skin color can be caused by some cancers.

· Non-healing sores in mouth, white or red patches on tongue and gum are likely to be due to cancer.

· Headaches which do not relent to common OTC medications can be due to Cancer.

· Back pain, pelvic pain, bloating, or persistent indigestion can be due to ovarian cancer.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind