How Does Cancer Develop and Its Detection (Cancer Awareness Month)

 There are factors that influence cancer development

1. Environment Factors

a. Chemical carcinogen are industrial chemicals, medications and tobacco.

b. Physical carcinogen include ionizing radiation (diagnostic & therapeutic x-rays) and ultraviolet radiation (sun, tanning beds, and germicidal lights), chronic irritation, and tissue trauma. 

c.  Viral carcinogens capable of causing cancer are known as oncoviruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis B virus, and human papillomavirus.

d. Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.  

2. Obesity and dietary factors including preservatives, contaminants, additives, alcohol and nitrates.

3. Genetic predisposition 

4. Advancing age is a significant risk factor.

5. Immune function such as those with AIDS and organ transplant recipients who are taking immunosuppressive medications. 

Prevention 

Avoidance of known or potential carcinogens and avoidance or modification of the factors associated with the development of cancer cells. 

 

Early Detection 

1.  Mammography 
2.  Papanicolaou (Pap) test
3.  Rectal exams and stool for occult blood
4.  Sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy
5.  Breast self-exam (BSE) and clinical breast examination
6. Testicular self-examination
7. Skin inspection

Diagnostic tests

Biopsy- is the definitive means of diagnosing cancer and provides histological proof of malignancy. It involves surgical incision to obtain a small piece of tissue. 

Types:

a. Needle- aspiration of cells.

b. Incisional- removal of a wedge of suspected tissue from a larger mass. 

c. Excisional- complete removal of the entire lesion.

d. Staging- multiple needle or incisional biopsies in tissues where metastasis is suspected.