Today is our topic of discussion Definition of Cancer
Definition of Cancer
Cancer may be regarded as a group of diseases characterised by an abnormal growth of cells, ability to invade adjacent tissues and even distant organs and eventual death of the affected patient if the tumour has progressed beyond that stage when it can be successfully removed.
Epidemiology:
Cancer is emerging as a public health concern worldwide. Though cancer occurs predominantly in elderly people of developed countries, developing country like Bangladesh is also having increased number of malignancies annually.
‘Warning signs’/’danger signs’ of cancer:
1. A lump or hard area in the breast.
2. A change in a wart or mole.
3. A persisted change in digestive or bowel habits.
4. A persistent cough or hoarsenesss.
5. Menorrhagia or metrorrhagia.
6. Bleeding from any natural orifice.
7. A non-healing ulcer.
8. Unexplained loss of weight.
Common cancers in Bangladesh:
In male:
1. Bronchogenic carcinoma
2. Laryngeal carcinoma
3. Cancer of the oral cavity
4. Bone cancer
5. Skin cancer
In female:
1. Cervical carcinoma
2. Breast cancer
3. Carcinoma of body of uterus
4. Ovarian cancer
5. Carcinoma larynx
Causes of cancer:
Environmental factors:
Tobacco:
Oropharyngeal cancer, carcinoma larynx oesophagus, bladder and pancreas
Alcohol:
Hepatocellular, oesophageal and rectal
Dietary factors:
Excess beaf with low intake of fruits and vegetables (colon cancer), canned food (hepatocellular carcinoma) and high fat diet (breast)
Occupational exposures:
Workers of dye industries (bladder cancer) and asbestos (lung cancer)
Viruses:
Hepatitis B & C virus (hepatocellular carcinoma), human papilloma virus (cervical cancer) and Epstein-Barr virus (Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer)
Parasite:
Schistosomiasis (bladder cancer)
Customs, habits and life-styles:
Betel nut chewing (oral)
Others:
Sunlight, radiation and pesticide use.
Genetic factors:
Breast cancer, retinoblastoma etc.
Prevention and control measure:
Primary prevention:
1. Control of tobacco and alcohol consumption
2. Personal hygiene: Cancer cervix
3. Control of radiation hazard
4. Reducing occupational exposure to carcinogen
5. Immunization: Hepatitis B ((hepatocellular carcinoma) and HPV (cervical cancer)
6. Foods, drugs and cosmetics: These should be tested for carcinogenicity
7. Control of air pollution
8. Treatment of precancerous lesions langrenosoly
9. Cancer education and remind the public about ‘warning signs’ or ‘danger signs’ of cancer.
Secondary prevention:
1. Cancer registration: Hospital based and population based, aria vie an
2. Early detection of cases aid to is stil
3. Treatment
Cancer Control Programme in Bangladesh:
The cancer control programme started in 1982 as non- communicable disease programme. The National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital carries out institutional and research activities. The hospital is capable of providing operative, pathological and endoscopical examination facilities to cancer patients.
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