Of all the disease that may afflict us, none is more feared than cancer. In the past two decades medical science has made enormous progress in unraveling the mysteries of cancer and in treating it. And yet, even though a patient chance of surviving are greater today than they have ever been, the death toll from cancer continues to rise. It is much higher than it was forty years ago.

That, strangely, is a sign of our improving health. Today, the life expectancy is higher than ever. Many of the diseases that in the past were considered fatal like cholera, poliomyelitis, malaria, pneumonia, typhoid etc, now no longer are dangerous in much of the developed countries. Most of us are living longer, although we expose ourselves at sixties or seventies to heart attacks or strokes or disease, or from today’s major killers that are the vast variety of cancers.

Most people fear cancer more than they do a heart attack or a stroke, because they mistakenly believe that death is inevitable. Certainly, the death rate from cancer is still high and alarming at some places, accounting for at least 20 percent of deaths in The United States, The Britain and many parts of Europe. But about 40 percent of the million Americans and two hundred thousand Britons who are diagnosed each year as having cancer gets early treatment and live for many years after it; many of them are fully cured.

One reason why cancer is so feared is because it takes so many forms. It is not one disease but 100 diseases, all with common factors. Most of us know that they are two kinds of tumor, or abnormal growth of tissues. One is benign and grows slowly. Its main distinction is that, once formed, it stays where it is. In all cancers, malignant tumors sometimes grow rapidly, and they spread, affecting not only healthy tissues nearby but often end up affecting various vital body parts such as lungs, breasts, stomach, etc. Sometimes, they do this by metastasis, as the doctors call it. Cancer cells break away from the original tumor, and may travel through blood streams or may invade lymphatic system, which, among lots of functions, defends us against bacteria. Once into either of these two conveyors, the errant cells may attack body parts far from the original site.

No one still understands why this happen, but it maybe because of a predisposition, an inherited susceptibility, to the disease. Though, this doesn’t mean that the cancer itself is inherited. Just because your relative once had a cancer, there is no reason to believe that you will inevitably get it too.

All of us have some 50,000 or more separate genes that determine every facet of our body make-up. Out of these, perhaps not more than 100 start malfunctioning and are known as oncogenes. These genes control the cell’s growth and multiplication. Suddenly, some cells grow abnormally and multiply uncontrollably. Eventually, there is no room left for normal cells alongside these mavericks. The normal cells get crowded out and soon are replaced. Usually this occurs slowly and gives early warning signs for the cancer; however, if this happens swiftly, the attack can be very severe.

From our increasing knowledge of the disease we know that a trigger of some kind can in certain circumstances propel the wayward cells into action. These triggers are known as carcinogens, but they do not necessarily cause the disease, and that confuses even more. For example, tobacco smoke is recognized carcinogen, but everybody knows an old man or two who has been a heavy smoker all his life and still survives without having lung cancer. Whereas on the other hand, for every defiant, elderly smoker there are dozens who have their lives cut short. Doctors say that genetic make-up, which is inherited, explains why a carcinogen sets off cancer in some people but not in others.

As research continues, medical scientists continue to identify more cancer triggers. We all know that radioactive chemicals are highest on the list, as the grim evidence from Chernobyl continues to haunt us. So are other forms of cancer such as from X-Rays and sun. The list also includes the chemicals found in car exhausts, pesticides, industrial waste, asbestos, fiberglass wool and processed foods.

Sexual behavior affects a woman’s chance of getting cervical cancer: More the partners, the higher the risk. Recently, breakthrough was made with medicines storming the markets, which as the researchers and manufacturers claims, works against cervical cancer.

Having children while relatively young seems to reduce the chances of breast cancer. Chronic irritation may be another trigger. For example some people get mouth or lip cancer because of ill fitting dentures.

Because, as each year goes by, we can point to an increasing list of cancer triggers, our defenses against this range of disease constantly grow. We know that smoking is a major cause of not only the cancer but as well as cardiovascular diseases. About 30 percent of all cancer victims are smokers.

If the smoker is also a heavy drinker, the risk rises not only for lung cancer but also for other cancers. Research and tests shows that such a person is forty-four times more likely to get a cancer of esophagus than somebody who drinks the same amount but smokes ten or fewer cigarettes a day. Smoking carries lung-cancer dangers not only for the smoker. Studies show that non smokers are forced everyday to breathe a dangerous cocktail of chemicals in areas polluted by smoke from tobacco. Around the world it is believed that thousand of non smokers die from cancer caused due to passive smoking, that is, the inhalation of tobacco smoke. Thus banning smoking in public places are two clear cut ways to reduce or stop cancer.

Sound diet is another factor. Studies suggest that food is a contributing factor in 35 percent of all fatal cancers. Because the range of food and food additives is so vast, it is almost impossible to pinpoint major culprits. Still however, the fatty meats, oils and dairy products appear to increase the risk of breast cancer, cancer in stomach and colon. The intake of preserved foods, that is the food which is smoked, pickled or salted, should be limited.

More positively, some foods seem to offer protection. Fiber-rich foods, such as whole-grain cereals, fruits and vegetables, insure against bowel cancer. People who get plenty of vitamins A and C, which are abundant in vegetables like spinach, capsicums, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli, appear to get fewer cancers of the respiratory and digestive systems.

Also, we know that the incidence of skin cancer rises with increasing exposure to the sun. About 20 percent of Queensland, Australia, will suffer some form of skin cancer by the age of seventy five, the world’s highest incidence. Residents in the southeastern and southwestern of United States comes a close second. Sensible precautions, like wearing a hat, using effective sunscreens, less sunbathing, will undoubtedly cut the results.

Prevention is clearly the most sensible course. But cancers range so widely that many cannot be avoided. The second smart strategy is early detection. Screening tests for cervical, breast and intestinal cancers, for example, have now significantly reduced the death rate from these diseases.

Cancer gives many warning signs. Sudden loss of weight, sores or ulcers that fail to heal within a normal timeframe, recurrent hoarseness, persistent pain of any kind, a lump or swelling, any discharge of blood, etc, these all are signals that should send a victim to a doctor.

Today, almost half of the cancers can be cured completely. The range of treatment grows constantly wider and more effective. But improved therapy shows its best results when coupled by early detection. In using that defense and in taking preventive measures, all of us are self-employed self doctors.

Lastly, keep yourself updated with KnowCancer.net for all the latest news and stories.

Win the WAR against Cancer.