Cancer is a chronic disease known by everyone, due to which a patient lives with Damocles’ sword over his head. Cancer is a group of diseases, including several types, characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells. Cancer can affect any body part, including the skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, etc. Cancerous cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, reach surrounding tissues and organs, and spread to other body parts through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This article will discuss the history, types, causes, symptoms, treatments, and cancer remedies. Let’s have a look at the history of cancer.
The history of cancer dates back to ancient civilizations, having evidence of cancer, descriptions, and treatment. Detail about the history of cancer is given as follows:
- Egyptian papyri (around 1600 BCE) details breast cancer and its treatment, including surgery.
- The Hippocratic Corpus (around 400 BCE) describes various types of cancer, such as melanoma and uterine cancer.
- Galen’s writings (around 130 CE) describe treatments for cancer, including surgery.
- In the Middle Ages (500-1500 CE), researchers discussed cancer treatments, including bloodletting, purging, and surgical removal.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries, advances in surgical techniques and the development of radiation therapy were made.
- The discovery of chemotherapeutic agents such as mustard gas dates back to the early 20th century.
- Modern chemotherapy was developed in the mid-20th century, and the first tumor virus (Rous sarcoma virus) was also discovered.
- Advances in molecular biology and the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.
Cancer has been a major health concern throughout human history, and the research on genetics and epigenetics of cancer and the development of new treatments, such as CAR-T cell therapy, is continued.
Major Types of Cancer:
Five major types of cancer are as follows:
- Carcinoma: This type of cancer starts in the skin or tissues covering internal organs. Examples of carcinoma include adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer and include breast, lung, bowel, and prostate cancers.
- Sarcoma: This type of cancer originates in connective or supportive tissues, such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or blood vessels. Two major types of sarcoma are bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.
- Lymphoma and Myeloma: This type of cancer starts in the immune system’s cells. Lymphoma starts in the lymph glands or cells, while myeloma starts in plasma cells. Five percent of cancer is caused by lymphomas, and two percent is caused by myeloma.
- Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers: This type of cancer starts in the brain or spinal cord. The major and most common type of brain tumor develops from glial cells and is called glioma. 3% of cancers are brain and spinal cord tumors.
Major Causes of Cancer:
Some major causes of cancer are given as follows:
- Cancer may be caused by the genetic mutations that a person inherits from the parents.
- Cancer may also be caused by gene mutations after birth, not by inherited mutations. Several forces can cause gene mutations after birth. Such forces are smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals, obesity, hormones, chronic information, and lack of exercise.
- Age factors also cause cancer. Cancer may diagnosed at the age of 65 or older because cancer takes decades to develop.
- Cancer may also be caused due to bad health conditions. Some chronic health conditions, including ulcerative colitis, increase the risk of developing cancers.
- Many harmful chemicals and wastes surround your environment and also cause cancer.
Symptoms of Cancer:
Some major symptoms of cancer are given as follows:
- Cancer causes severe pain in a specific area/part of the body.
- This disease causes speedy weight loss without trying.
- Fatigue
- There is also a fever due to cancer that is high or lasts for more than three days.
- Cancer causes changes in the skin, such as new moles or bumps or itching or darkening of the skin.
- Cancer causes sores that do not heal.
- There is coughing or hoarseness due to cancer that doesn’t go away.
- There may be unusual bleeding due to cancer.
- Cancer also causes anemia.
If a person experiences these symptoms, they must go to a doctor. These symptoms may be due to other causes rather than cancer, but it is important to be careful.
Remedies of Cancer:
Some major remedies for cancer are given as follows:
- Surgery: Cancer can be removed from the surrounding tissues through surgery.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy also includes the treatment of cancer in which drugs are a
- Radiation Therapy: In this treatment, high-energy rays kill the cancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment strengthens the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy involves the use of drugs to kill or target specific cancerous cells.
- Hormone Therapy: In this type of treatment, different drugs can be used to change the level of hormones so that the growth of cancerous cells may be stopped.
- Stem Cell Transplantation: Stem cell transplantation includes the replacement of cancerous bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
- Precision Medicine: It includes tailoring treatment to individual genetic profiles.
- CAR-T Cell Therapy: This type of cell therapy is the use of genetically modified immune cells to fight cancer,
- Supportive Care: This remedy includes handling the symptoms and side effects, such as pain, nausea, and fatigue.
- Alternative Therapies: Some alternative therapies also include remedies for cancer, such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and meditation, which may help handle symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Clinical Trials: This includes searching for new treatments and therapies.
Cancer treatment may include combining all these remedies, and one must discuss them with a healthcare professional.
Natural Remedies for Cancer:
Some natural remedies for cancer are given as follows:
- Dietary Changes: The intake of a healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Herbal Remedies: Herbal remedies include the use of herbs such as turmeric, ginger, and green tea to reduce inflammation and strengthen immunity.
- Acupuncture: Use of acupuncture needles to speed up healing and reduce pain.
- Mind-body therapies include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: These supplements include taking vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, calcium, and iron to support overall health.
- Homeopathic Remedies include homeopathic remedies such as Arsenicum album and carcinogen to reduce symptoms.
- Aromatherapy: This type of remedy involves using essential oils like lavender and peppermint to reduce stress and improve mood.
- Exercise and Physical Activity: Regular exercise makes a person physically healthy and reduces fatigue.
- Juicing and Smoothies: Drinking fresh juices enhances nutrition and energy.
- Probiotics: The intake of probiotics makes immunity stronger.
While using these natural remedies, one must remember that they may help boost immunity, manage symptoms of cancer, and improve the quality of life. However, these remedies cannot replace proper medical treatment. So, while using these remedies, one must be in contact with a healthcare professional.