Updated: 27-06-2025
Author: Sangati Jogwar
When the body is bogged down by an increase in the number of abnormal cells that divide without any control, simultaneously invading the tissues of different organs, you are supposed to be suffering from cancer.
These cells divide rapidly and enter various parts of your body via the lymph system and blood.
On average, nine million cases of cancer are diagnosed annually, all over the globe, out of which 4.5 million patients succumb to cancer.
As in India, more than seven lakh people are diagnosed with cancer every year out of which 3.5 lakhs die due to this disease. Sadly, almost 33 percent of cancer is caused due to bad habits such as the use of tobacco.
How Does Cancer Occur?
Cells from the basic unit of life. Cancer attacks this basis of human life, which is why it is very difficult to eliminate cancerous cells from the body.
The normal cells turn into cancerous cells, and the cells that were earlier supporting your body system now become destructive and turn against the normal working of your body.
Here is a short description of how normal cells turn into cancer cells:
✅ The human body consists of different types of cells.
✅ These cells grow as well as divide in a limited way and produce cells only in the amount which is required for the healthy growth of the body.
✅ Once the cells become old, they die and are immediately replaced by new cells. This process is continuous.
✅ When this process of cell division and growth is disrupted, the body system suffers a jolt.
✅ This usually occurs when the DNA or the genetic material of the cell is changed or damaged.
✅ When this happens, the normal growth and division of the cells are affected and the cells keep on producing mutations.
✅ Due to this, the old cells do not die, and the new cells are produced continuously, leading to the formation of a tissue mass known as a tumour.
Types of Cancer Tumours
Tumours are formed in this way. However, not all the tumours are cancerous.
There are two types:
- Benign tumours are non-cancerous and usually do not come back after they have been removed. This type of tumour does not spread to other body parts and causes disruption.
- Malignant tumours are cancerous tumours that penetrate nearby tissues and rapidly spread to other body parts. The process of spreading cancer from one body part to the other is known as metastasis.
- Some types of cancers do not constitute tumours, such as blood cancer or leukaemia that forms in the bone marrow.
Types of Cancer
A malignant tumour is the cause of cancer. But cancer cannot be considered as just one disease, as it causes problems in different body parts.
At present,100 different types of cancer have been found.
These cancers are named according to the organ from which the cancer starts. For example, cancer that begins in the intestine is known as intestinal cancer, and so on.
These different types of cancer are broadly categorised into groups as follows:
1. Sarcoma Cancer
This type of cancer starts in fat, cartilage, bone, connective or supportive tissue, or blood vessels
2. Carcinoma Cancer
This type of cancer begins in the tissues or the skin. Subtypes of carcinoma include basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
3. Lymphoma and Myeloma
This type of cancer starts in the immune system cells.
4. Leukaemia
Blood cancer or leukaemia starts inside the tissues that form blood, such as bone marrow, leading to the formation of abnormal blood cells.
5. Cancer of the Central Nervous System
This type of cancer starts within the spinal cord or brain tissues.
Different Stages of Cancer
Stage of cancer refers to the particular stage at which the cancer was first detected or diagnosed.
The caregiver must be sure about the exact stage of cancer because it can play a critical role in the treatment of cancer.
Apart from the regular one, two, or three stages, cancer is also detected in the 0 or situ stage. Here is a step-by-step description of the different stages of Cancer.
Stage 0 or Situ Stage
- Sometimes a normal cell becomes cancerous and divides along with the other similar cells.
- These cells together form a tumour right within the tissue of a particular organ.
- At this stage, there is very little or no threat to life.
- This is known as situ cancer as it is in the stage where it began.
- More often, such cancers never go beyond this stage.
Stage 1 or Localised Cancer
- During the first stage, the cells of cancer become capable of gaining entry inside the basement membrane fibrous, thin boundary surrounding and protecting the tissue in which cancer started.
- After going beyond the basement membrane, these cells start invading the neighbouring tissues.
- This indicates that the cancer is spreading and can now be dangerous to life.
- Since cancer during this stage is still restricted to a single tissue of a particular organ, it is known as the localised stage of cancer.
Stage 2 and 3 Stages of Cancer
- Once the cancer cells gain the capacity to invade the base membrane, the daughter cancer cells now start invading the lymph vessel that carries the very clear lymph fluid, exuding into the tissues via blood capillaries and then going back to the bloodstream.
- While the lymph fluid is going back to the bloodstream, occasionally the cancerous cells are attached to the lymph node, which is the powerhouse of your body’s immune system.
- If your immune system is good, the lymph nodes will respond to it and eliminate the cancer cells.
- However, in case the lymph node fails to eliminate the cancerous cells, then a tumour-like lump is formed within the lymph node.
- Thus, although cancer has advanced from its Situ or stage 1 stage, the penetration is limited to a particular region from where it began and has not reached to other body parts. This is known as the regional spread.
Stage 4-Distant Spread
- At this stage, the cancerous cells spread further from the lymph node and move to the lymph nodes of different organs through the lymph vessels or via the bloodstream.
- Sometimes the cancerous cells from the original place invade the capillaries and enter the bloodstream directly.
- Once the cancer cells are inside the bloodstream, they can be carried to any part of the body and start forming new colonies, thus spreading all over the body. This stage is the distant spread.
Symptoms and Signs of Cancer
As discussed earlier, cancer is not just one disease but a combination of several diseases and hence can display various symptoms and signs that are sometimes very normal or very serious.
Usually, the indications depend on the organ where the cancer has developed initially.
If it is in the first stage, the symptoms will be displayed in that particular organ.
However, if the spread is distant, then several symptoms will be displayed, suggesting problems in different body parts.
The cancerous tumour puts pressure on the blood vessels, nerves, and the organs near it, leading to signs and symptoms.
However, sometimes cancer occurs in a place that does not show any indications of its growth, and it is usually only diagnosed at the last stages.
Pancreatic cancer, cancer of the bile duct and so on do not cause any symptoms until the tumour grows large enough and starts pressing the other nearby organs.
Here are some of the general symptoms and signs of cancer
Weight Loss
A cancer patient starts losing weight without any reason as the cancer progresses.
This unexplained weight loss, especially of 10 pounds or even more, is considered the first indication of cancer.
Such symptoms are mostly associated with lung, stomach, pancreas and oesophagus cancer.
Fever
Fever is the most common indication of cancer, and usually, a patient starts having a fever when cancer has progressed beyond its point of origin.
The occurrence of fever is an indication that the body’s immune system is trying hard to resist cancerous cells.
However, the patients suffering from lymphoma or leukaemia may get a fever right from the start of the disease.
Pain
In certain types of cancer, such as testicular and bone cancers, pain starts at a very early stage.
This pain increases as the cancer grows and hence is considered an important symptom that helps in the early diagnosis of the disease.
For example, a patient suffering from a brain tumour may suffer from a severe headache that is almost incurable.
Similarly, pain in the back is an indication of ovarian, rectum, or colon cancer.
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness that does not go away even after resting for long hours indicates the onset or progression of cancer.
This can be an early sign of leukaemia or some other type of cancer, such as stomach or colon cancer, in which blood loss occurs.
Changes in the Skin
There are visible changes in the colour and texture of the skin when a patient suffers from skin cancer. These
Skin Cancer Symptoms
- Hyperpigmentation or darker skin
- Jaundice or yellowish skin as well as eyes
- Erythema or reddened skin
- Pruritus or itching
- Extreme hair growth
Note: Just because a patient is suffering from any of the above symptoms or signs does not mean that he is suffering from cancer, as these symptoms are quite common in other general diseases.
Is Cancer Curable?
The curability of cancer depends on the type of cancer a patient is suffering from.
Some types of cancer can be cured when they are diagnosed at a very early stage.
On the other hand, certain cancers can be cured at any stage whenever they are diagnosed.
Blood cancers such as acute leukaemia or lymphoma can be cured with chemotherapy.
Whereas, other types of common cancer, such as pancreatic, colon, lung, prostate, and breast cancer, are only curable when caught in the early stage or the second stage at the most.
Since in the first two stages the cancerous cells have not moved to any other body parts, they can be easily removed from the body through surgery.
However, if such a type of cancer has spread beyond the third or fourth stage, it is difficult to cure as it has moved beyond its primary point of origin.
Some of the incurable cancers include certain types of lung cancer, melanoma or skin cancer and more.
Tests to Detect Cancerous Cells
There are two main types of tests used to detect cancer. These include:
Imaging Tests
Usually, doctors recommend imaging tests initially for detecting the presence of cancer. Some such tests include: Mammograms
Limitations of Mammograms:
This screening test has certain limitations, such as overdiagnosis, false-positive results, false-negative results, over-treatment and exposure to radiation.
CT Scan
Risk Associated with CT Scan: CT scan exposes your body to harmful sources such as ionizing radiation that can lead to cancer.
Laboratory Tests
PSA Test (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Note: Some health experts do not recommend the use of this test as they are of the opinion that the risks are far more than the advantages.
HPV and Pap Testing
Note: Women who had HPV vaccination should conduct the cervical screening more regularly.
Latest Cancer Treatments
The chances of a complete cure are much better if the disease is detected in its early stages. Here are some of the techniques used to treat different stages of cancer.
Immunotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Surgery
Immunotherapy
This is the latest treatment that manipulates the regular functioning of the body.
During this treatment, the body’s immune system is stimulated and given a boost by giving topical medications and injections to fight the cancerous cells.
Hormone Therapy
In hormone therapy, the hormones in the body are manipulated to treat the cancerous cells.
The process includes administering drugs and hormones. Doctors sometimes also recommend complete removal of the hormone glands to destroy the cancer cells or to prevent the growth of these cells.
Chemotherapy
This is one of the most effective treatments used for treating cancer. Through chemotherapy, your body is given external help to fight the cancerous cells that have spread in all the parts of the body and where no other treatment can be effective.
Dozens of different drugs are also given for oral consumption to the patient during this treatment to support the process of eliminating cancerous cells.
Radiation Therapy
During radiation therapy, the affected part of the body is made to face the attack of radiation energy.
The attack is mainly targeted at eliminating the existing cancerous cells and inhibiting their reproduction process.
This therapy is also recommended to shrink the size of the tumour so that it can be removed easily through surgery.
In case the tumour is small, the cancerous cells can be eliminated even without surgery.
Note: In both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the normal cells too are affected during the treatment and lead to certain unpleasant side effects such as dryness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, peeling of the skin and more.
Surgery
It is the most popular used cure for removing cancerous cells from the body. More than 60 per cent of the cancer patients undergo surgery.
Surgery is conducted when the cancerous growth is found in its early stages so that the spread of the tumour is restricted.
Along with surgery, usually, chemotherapy and /or radiation therapy are also recommended.
How to Prevent Cancer
If you make small changes in your lifestyle, you can prevent the onset of cancer to some extent.
Although no one can guarantee complete prevention, you can certainly minimise the chances of getting afflicted by this disease.
Eat a Balanced Diet and Cancer-Preventing Foods
Active Lifestyle
Obesity also has some link with cancer. Hence, staying active and indulging in regular exercise for 30 minutes to maintain a normal weight helps prevent cancer in the end.
The reports of the Mayo Clinic suggest that regular physical activity reduces your chances of getting both colon and breast cancer.
Maintaining an ideal weight can also reduce the risk of lung, prostate, and kidney cancer.
Note: A disciplined and healthy lifestyle ensures that you are saved from not only cancer but also other serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more.
Several brands in the market claim to reduce the risk of cancer and other serious diseases through their supplements.
You should avoid falling prey to such claims and instead use only those supplements and drugs as prescribed by your caregiver.
Early Detection through Screening
Preventing Cancer Growth through Cancer Vaccines
Specific types of vaccines for cancer are developed for treating a particular type of cancer.
So, for different types of cancer, different vaccines are administered. Researchers are underway on preparing one antidote or vaccine for all types of cancer.
This vaccine is known as a universal cancer vaccine, and it is expected to be available in the coming days.
The vaccine works by stimulating the immunity of a patient and producing the particular type of cells that destroy cancer cells and prevent recurrence and their growth. The vaccine contains special antigens or tumour cells.
Unlike other diseases, a vaccine for cancer is only given to a patient after the disease has been detected and not for preventing the onset of the disease in the patient.
At present, five types of vaccines are available that can help prevent the progression of cancer.
✅ Laboratory Tests
✅ Imaging Tests
CT Scan, or computed tomography, makes use of dedicated X-ray equipment for creating a series of scans or pictures in detail of different parts of the body.
This test is also known as computerised axial tomography or CT scanning.
This test is recommended to detect abnormal growth of tumours or lumps in the various parts of the body and to identify the stages and level of growth.
The result of this test is very helpful in guiding the procedure of biopsy or for recommending a particular treatment to the patient.
The test is also conducted to monitor whether the cancer in any way responding to the treatment.
In a laboratory test, a sample of urine, blood, tissue or bodily fluid is examined to get a detailed report on the health of a person.
In case of cancer, apart from the other laboratory tests, biopsy is considered the most important as it includes observing the tissue of the tumour undera microscope.
During this test, the level of the blood of prostate-specific antigen is measured. The higher the level of PSA, more are the chances of his having prostate cancer.
But the elevated level of PSA in the blood does not always indicate that the person is having cancer, as other conditions can also contribute to the rise of the PSA.
Contrary to that, even if a patient’s PSA level does not show an increase in the level of PSA in the blood, it does not mean that he is not suffering from prostate cancer.
This test is hence used especially to detect the presence of prostate cancer in men and also to monitor the progress and response of the cancer to the treatment.
These two tests are considered important for screening cervical cancer and are regularly recommended as a part of the normal health care routine of women.
These tests detect the presence of abnormalities or cancer cells that can cause cervical cancer shortly.
According to current health guidelines, women between the ages of 30 to 65 years should undergo HPV and Pap testing every five years.
Women with specific health conditions or symptoms or above the age of 65 years should undergo this test after every two to three years.
Making small changes in your diet can reduce your chances of getting cancer.
Ensuring regular intake of vegetables, fruits, fibers and whole grains in your daily diet can keep you away from this dangerous disease.
Doctors advise avoiding fatty foods, fatty dairy products, as obesity can also lead to cancer.
According to a study conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund, eating foods that come mostly from plants reduces your risk of getting cancer.
Some such foods that have been found to reduce the risk of cancer include garlic, berries, and broccoli.
Foods that are low in fats and calories and are enriched with antioxidants and phytochemicals provide cancer-fighting immunity to your body.
Including antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and lycopene is a guaranteed way of boosting the immune system of your body.
Unsafe practices such as drug or alcohol abuse, sharing the needles of others, and practising unsafe sex can serve as an invitation to cancer and several other diseases.
Such practices break down your immune system, making you vulnerable to cancer cells and other bacteria and viruses.
Avoiding tobacco is the first step you should take to lower your cancer risk.
The researchers from the Mayo Clinic have linked several types of cancer,r such as cervical, bladder, kidney and lung cancer, with smoking.
Secondhand smoke or passive smoking can lead to lung cancer.
Skin cancer is caused due to overexposure to ultraviolet sun rays.
Using sun protection of minimum SPF 15 daily and covering your exposed body with a scarf or protecting it using an umbrella or a hat with a wide brim can help reduce the chances of skin cancer.
If you have to be under the sun for a long time, it is advisable to wear clothing with a UPF rating.
Avoid using tanning beds or sunlamps.
Detection of cancer at an early stage through screening can save your life.
Your doctor can recommend several tests for testing the presence of cancer in different parts of the body, such as the prostate, cervix, colon, breast, and skin cancer.
Early detection restricts the growth of cancer to other body parts and the chances of survival are maximised.
Being immunised against other serious diseases such as HPV and hepatitis B can lower the risk of getting cervical and liver cancer, respectively.
These are: ” DNA Vaccines, Antigen vaccines “, “Tumour cell vaccines “, ” Dendritic cell vaccines ” and ” Anti-idiotype vaccines”.
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