INTRODUCTION
What is Cancer ?
Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases. Although there are many kinds of cancer, all cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control.
India
An estimate of More than 11 Lakh 48 thousand persons gets cancer every year. More than 31 lakh persons are suffering from cancer at any given time. Male to Female Ratio is 48:52. Approximately 28% of these cancers are tobacco related.
Karnataka
More than 61 thousand persons have been estimated with new cancer every year, More than 1 lakh 65 thousand People are Suffering from cancer at any given time. Male to Female Ratio is 44:56 Approximately 35% in males and 15% in females are tobacco related cancers. About 40% Cancer in females are Breast and Cervical Cancer (As per 2015)
EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CANCER
1. A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks
2. A cough or hoarseness of voice that lasts longer than 3 weeks
3. Difficulty in swallowing
4. Frequent Indigestion
5. Breathlessness
6. Coughing up blood
7. Changes in the size, shape or feel of the breasts
8. Any lump, dimpling or redness of the skin on the breasts
9. Changes in the position of the nipple, a rash or nipple discharge
10. Bleeding from the vagina after sex, between periods or after the menopause
11. Irregular or poor bowel movement /blood in stools /black stools
12. Problems in urination like pain, blood, burning sensation
13. A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole or wart
14. Repeated unexplained pain anywhere in the body
15. An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on the body
16. Unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats
17. A sore that does not heal even after several weeks
18. Unexplained fever for long period.
HISTORY OF CANCER
400s BC
when a term was created for the disease. It’s believed that Hippocrates, a Greek physician, was the first to coin the term carcinos and carcinoma when discussing tumors.
In 1775
German biologist, made a huge step forward by linking microscopic pathology to cancer (and discovering that cancer cells were caused by mutations or deviations from normal, healthy cells)
In 1902
a zoologist named Theodor Boveri discovered the basic genetic background of cancer: mutated chromosomes of a particular sort could result in cells that had the unlimited ability to grow and multiply and that cancer cells were likely linked to genetic mutations, radiation, chemicals, or pathogens.
Throughout the early 1900s,
Scientists began adding more environmental factors and toxins to the list of things that were linked to cancer aniline, coal tars, and asbestos, for example. In addition, they began discovering that certain infections or viruses (such as Hepatitis B or C infections, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, or HPVs) were all linked to a higher risk of certain cancers.
During the 1930s and 40s
One of the biggest causes of cancer was tobacco smoke — but it took a very long and aggravated battle against tobacco companies and their advertising to fully inform the public of the dangers of smoking.
In 1971
The National Cancer Act started the official national War on Cancer, which aimed to improve cancer research and treatments by strengthening the National Cancer Institute.
Official Website of GoK
