In a world where every second counts, #cancer strikes like a thief in the night, leaving us with a sense of loss and hopelessness. Yet, amidst the darkness, there shines a beacon of hope — the 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States, who have emerged victorious from their battles against this disease. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the need for continued efforts in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
In this article, we will know what exactly cancer is, how the disease develops, and the many treatments that help improve the quality of life and survival rates.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease that begins with a simple change in a single cell, but that one change can have a domino effect on the body which turns into a profound and devastating impact.
How does a single corrupt cell invade your entire body?
Let’s try to understand the mechanism of this cell with an analogy of a garden. Each plant in the garden represents a cell in the body, and each plant has a DNA that has a set of instructions that tells it how to grow and function properly. However, one day a small mutation occurs in the DNA of one of the plants, causing it to grow uncontrollably and take over other plants in the garden. These rogue plants, or cancer cells, continue to spread and consume resources, like oxygen and nutrients, that would normally be used to nourish healthy plants.
As the cancer cells spread, they form larger and larger clusters, taking over more and more of the garden or body and causing damage to the surrounding plants or cells. The gardener, or Apoptosis (the natural process of cell death), tries to intervene and remove the rogue plants, but the cancer cells have spread too far and the gardener is unable to keep up. Now the garden which is our body is in danger.
This example illustrates how a small error in the mutation of that single cell leads to this disastrous impact invading your body’s normal functions. As the cancer cells continue to spread, they create chaos in the body and show various signs of disruption.
What does cancer do to your body?
- Snatches the body’s ability to fight off infections
- Causes inflammation and pain
- Weakens the immune system.
- In advanced stages, it can lead to death
What are the causes?
There are many causes, of which some are preventable and some are not.
- heavy alcohol consumption
- excess body weight
- physical inactivity
- poor nutrition
- Age factor
- Genetics
Who is at the risk?
- According to the American Cancer Society, doctors in the U.S. diagnose 87 percent of cancer cases in people ages 50 years or older.
- Family history of cancer, as a person’s genetic code, tells their cells when to divide and expire. Changes in the genes can lead to faulty instructions, and cancer can result.
- The one who has constant Exposure to radiation, including ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Exposure to Some types of viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV)
Infographic on Cancer with the best possible insights one can get. read it carefully and live carefree with #niroggyan
Finding out about cancer and Treating it carefully
SCREENING
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DIAGNOSIS
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TREATMENT
What is Screening?
Some tests can help find cancer before signs or symptoms appear. This is called Cancer Screening. The main goals of cancer screening are:
- Early detection
- Prevention
- Monitoring
- Improve the quality of life
- Reduction of mortality
Why is Screening important?
Screening can help in early detection and treatment. Which can be the difference between life and death. By detecting cancer early, we can slow the growth of the disease and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. This can greatly improve the chances of survival and we can reduce the impact of the disease on the body.
💡Screening mammography has been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74, especially those ages 50 to 69.
How is cancer diagnosed?
If you have a symptom or a screening test result that suggests cancer, your doctor will find out whether it is due to cancer or some other cause.
Cancer cannot be diagnosed by a single test. A physical examination and questions about your personal and family medical history may thus be the first steps your doctor will take. In addition to other tests or procedures, they could request lab work or imaging examinations (scans) to determine for sure whether you have cancer, a biopsy may also be necessary and further treatment can be started accordingly.
Innovative research has fueled the development of new medications and treatment technologies. Doctors usually prescribe treatments based on the type of cancer, its stage at diagnosis, and the person’s overall health.
Some approaches in the treatment are as follows:
1)Chemotherapy: which aims to kill cancerous cells with medications that target rapidly dividing cells.
2)Hormone therapy: it involves taking medications that change how certain hormones work or interfere with the body’s ability to produce them.
3)Radiation therapy: this uses high-dose radiation to kill cancerous cells.
4)Targeted therapies: perform functions within cancerous cells to prevent them from multiplying.
“Cancer treatment has made tremendous progress, with 5-year survival rates jumping from 20% in the 1930s to over 60% in 2000, demonstrating the power of advancements in the treatment protocol.”
What message do cancer survivors have for us?
We had gone through various stories of cancer survivors and drawn out the common message that almost everyone feels and wants to convey so We have quoted this message in their own words.
“As cancer survivors, we want to emphasize the importance of early screening and diagnosis in the fight against this disease. We have personally experienced the life-changing impact of cancer, and believe that early detection is a crucial factor in successful treatment and recovery. We urge everyone to prioritize their health and take advantage of screening opportunities, as they can potentially save lives. By taking proactive steps toward our health, we can give ourselves the best chance at a full and healthy life. Let’s work together to spread awareness and empower one another in the battle against cancer. Take the move of your life in your hands, as one step can lead to either win or loss of life.”
How is NirogGyan working towards this problem?
At NirogGyan, we understand the importance of your well-being and strive to revolutionize the way you manage your health. Our Smart Lab Test Reports, scientifically vetted for accuracy, provide valuable insights into your health in a user-friendly manner, encouraging a proactive approach to your well-being. Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge you need to take control of your health and make informed decisions about your care. Our #patientengagement #saas platform is designed to be patient-friendly and offers a white-label, module-based solution that grants you access to your historical data and allows you to compare it to population averages, complete with diet tips and solutions. With #NirogGyan, you can trust that you are receiving accurate, easy-to-understand test results, leading to an early #diagnosis and easy cure. Join us on a journey towards better #healthcare outcomes.
An example of NiroGyan products
Switching to #SmartHealthReports helps patients stay prepared for chronic diseases, and helps healthcare providers give them a better experience.
To join the group of 50+ Smart Labs, do visit us at niroggyan.com or call our founder Shweta Gandhi @+91–7678277891.
