The world on heat

The world on heat

Cancer is like a house hold name, being discussed day in, day out among people. The purpose of this write up is not scare you but to make you aware of what is going on around you in respect to cancer and  what cancer is. Cancer is a leading cause of death, over 7.6 million people died from cancer in 2008  (World health organisation).

So what is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells  (World health organisation).

We are made up of cells. Cells come together to form a tissue.

 Group of similar tissues can form our organ. Our organ work together  as a system such as the circulatory system which involves the heart and other vascular tissue.  When system function properly, that is when we are okay and healthy.

Every cells dies when they are old, when something goes wrong with them or  worn out. When they die, they are replaced by new ones.  

When the worn out cells are not dying, but instead, multiplying uncontrollably, they form tumors. Tumor are classified as benign or  malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancer, they grow locally, they cannot spread,  invade or metastases. If you notice any tumor ... visit your doctor.

On  the other hand malignant tumors are cancerous, they invade neighboring tissue, enter blood vessels and move around the body (National cancer institute). If you notice any tumor ... visit your doctor.

There are different types of cancer and their prevalence also varies with location as described below.

North America: Lung, prostate, breast and colorectal cancer

Northern Europe: Prostate, breast, colorectal and lung cancer

Central  and eastern Europe: Lungs, colorectal, breast, stomach

Eastern Asia: Lung, stomach, liver, colorectal

South-Eastern Asia: lungs, breast, liver, colorectal

Southern Europe: colorectal, breast, lung, prostate

Northern Africa: breast, lung, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Western Africa: breast, cervix, uteri, liver, prostate

Middle Africa : liver, breast, cervix uteri, prostate

Western Asia: breast, lung, colorectal, stomach

South-Central Asia: cervix uteri, breast , lung , lip, oral cavity

South-Eastern Asia: lung , breast , liver , colorectal

Melanesia: lip, oral cavity , cervix uteri , breast , liver

Australia/New Zealand: prostate ,colorectal , breast, melanoma of skin

Eastern Africa: cervix uteri , Kaposi sarcoma , breast , esophagus

Southern Africa: breast, prostate , esophagus, cervix uteri

Middle Africa: liver , breast, cervix uteri , prostate

South America: breast, prostate, lung, colorectal

Central America: prostate , breast , cervix uteri ,stomach

Caribbean: prostate , breast , lung , colorectal

(Cancer research UK)

What can predispose you to cancer

·         genetics; some people are more predispose to having some type of cancer because they inherit some cancer related gene (proto-oncogene).

·         Environmental factors.

·         Life styles. etc

NOTE

If you see, feel or notice any tumor,

see your doctor,

because a significant proportion of cancers can be cured, especially if they are detected early.