3. 3
Cancer
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease that forms in our cells. Each human body is made up of millions of
cells that are grouped together to form tissues and organs. Normally, our cells divide in
an orderly way and are given instructions to follow from our genes; whether that be to
grow, work reproduce or die. However there are instances where the instructions get
mixed up. Cancer is when the cells begin to grow uncontrollably, and they keep on
growing and making new cells. With the overproduction of these cells, the cells begin to
form lumps or tumors that can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant
(cancerous). When it becomes cancerous is the problem because cancer cells can spread
very quickly damaging surrounding tissues and could spread to other areas within the
body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. The spread of cancer cells is known
as metastasis.
How cancer is treated?
There are 3 common treatments for cancer which are; surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation.
Surgery is where the doctors will remove the cancer or even takes out the
affected body part indefinitely, for example removing a breast containing cancer.
Chemotherapy is a drug used to kill the cancer cells, either given into a vein
through a needle or swallowing a pill.
Radiation is also used to kill the cancer cells, in this procedure you are being
treated using X-rays or similar forms of radiation.
4. 4
Cancer Statistics
Below is estimated 2015 Cancer statistics based on previous results and the trending
rises of cancer.
An estimated 196,900 new cases of cancer and 78,000 deaths from cancer will
occur in 2015.
More than half (about 51%) of all new cases will be prostate, breast, lung and
colorectal cancers.
About 2 in 5 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 4 will die of
the disease.
Cancer Demographics
Anybody at any age is at risk of developing cancer, however it is most commonly found
in the elderly. Both men and women are prone to developing similar cancers, however
they also both have to deal with gender based cancer diseases. Below are the five most
diagnosed Cancers in Males and Females by age in the UK from 2010-2012:
Children (0-14) Teens/ Young
Adults (15-24)
Adults (25-49) Adults (50-74) Elderly (75+)
Males: Leukemia
Females: Leukemia
Males: Germ cell
tumors
Females:
Carcinomas
Males: Testis
Females: Breast
Males: Prostate
Females: Breast
Males: Prostate
Females: Breast
Males: Brain
Females: Brain
Males:
Lymphomas
Females:
Lymphomas
Males: Malignant
melanoma
Females:
Malignant
melanoma
Males: Lung
Females: Lung
Males: Lung
Females: Lung
Males:
Lymphomas
Females:
Lymphomas
Males: Brain
Females:
Malignant
melanoma
Males: Bowel
Females: Cervix
Males: Bowel
Females: Bowel
Males: Bowel
Females: Bowel
Males: Soft tissue
Females: Renal
Males: Leukemia
Females: Brain
Males: Brain
Females: Ovary
Males: Non-
Hodgkin
Lymphoma
Females: Uterus
Males: Bladder
Females: Pancreas
Males: SNS tumors
Females: Soft
tissue
Males: Carcinomas
Females: Leukemia
Males: Non-
Hodgkin
Females: Bowel
Males: Kidney
Females: Ovary
Males: Stomach
Females: Uterus
5. 5
Seven Dimensions of Wellness
Physical Wellness – Depending on your type/ severity of cancer, your physical
abilities will differ. For the most part, people being diagnosed and treated will
have to deal with fatigue, energy loss, stress, muscle weakness and pain.
However, if there is no pain, researchers say that exercise during cancer treatment
is not only safe but it can improve how well you can function physically which
will improve your everyday life.
Emotional Wellness – Finding out you have been diagnosed with cancer causes
the patient to get frustrated and angry, stressed, depressed, and face a lot of
anxiety. Being able to find a balance in their emotional wellness could be a real
challenge, nevertheless once they are able to, they can begin to experience a more
positive life despite their problems.
Mental (Intellectual) Wellness – The impact cancer has on ones mental wellness
leans more toward the negative side but a few positives can be pulled out. Due to
the anxiety and stress each patient goes through, learning and critical thinking can
be very challenging. In extreme cases, some cancer patients will experience
cognitive impairment, where they will have trouble remembering, learning,
concentrating or making decisions. Nonetheless, one positive that can be taken is
that the patient is learning about their disease and gathering new information.
6. 6
Social Wellness – After being diagnosed with cancer and dealing with treatment,
patients will experience a change in their relationships. Many of their friends and
family will become weary around you and seem overly worried for you. Due to
treatments, cancer patients will be limited to social interactions due to feeling
tired, feeling nauseous, having a poor immune system or even being embarrassed
due to loss of hair to even want to go out.
Environmental Wellness – The impact cancer has on someone’s environmental
wellness is now that they are aware of their disease, they are more likely to stay
away from any environmental hazards that could damage them any further. They
begin to surround themselves around the beauty of nature.
Occupational Wellness – Due to the fact that cancer is a very serious disease, in
most cases, those with the illness are forced to take a leave of absence from their
job in order to take care of themselves. After cancer, many face the tough decision
on whether or not they have the ability to continue with their past job. In some
cases, cancer will affect your whole career and force you down another road as
you are unable to perform your job with the same capabilities.
Other Wellness (Spiritual Wellness) – Spiritual wellness focuses on personal
beliefs on the meaning of life and often involves one’s religion. When struck with the
news of having cancer, many people will begin to question a lot of things and wonder
why this would happen to them. They’ll often begin to pray in hopes of beating
cancer and living a long life.
7. 7
Risk Factors for Cancer
Cancer is becoming the leading cause of death around the world. Although it is
not always possible to understand why someone will get cancer, we can look at
some of the well-known risk factors such as:
Age – This is the biggest risk factor for cancer, as you age you are more likely to
develop cancer. This is outside of your control as studies show that half of cancer
cases occur in the elderly, with the average age of being diagnosed at 66.
Alcohol – Your risk of developing cancer will increase with the more you drink.
Alcoholics are at a greater risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat,
esophagus, larynx, liver and breast. Removing alcohol from your daily life cycle
is ideal, however if that is too difficult, drinking in moderation will definitely help
you out in the long run.
Cancer – Causing Substances – With exposure to environmental substances or
other chemical substances, it can cause damage to our DNA, which could lead to
cancer. Some of these substances can be avoided however such as; smoking or the
suns UV rays. Unfortunately, some are more difficult to avoid if the environment
we are surrounded by is affected, for example, our air, water, food or even
working conditions. Several substances that are likely to cause cancer are Arsenic,
Benzeke, Ethylene oxide, Radon and many more.
Obesity – People who are suffering from obesity have a greater chance of
developing several types of cancer. These cancers are; breast, colon, rectum,
endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas and gallbladder.
8. 8
Tobacco – One of the main leading causes of developing cancer and overall
deaths from cancer is tobacco. People who smoke or are exposed to secondhand
smoking have an increased risk of developing cancer. Smoking causes lung
cancer by damaging the cells that line the lungs.
Preventative Measures
For many years researchers have tried to find a cure for Cancer and there still
seems to be no fix. However, there are many possible ways that you may prevent
yourself from developing cancer in the long run. These are the main preventative
methods:
Staying away from tobacco – due to the fact that smoking or any use of
tobacco leads directly to cancer, it is best to steer clear of it all together.
Deciding to stop using tobacco is one of the healthiest decisions someone
can make if they are a user. There are many things out there to help you
stop smoking.
Eating a healthy diet – there is no for sure correlation between eating
healthy and preventing cancer, nonetheless making healthy choices within
your diet may help reduce your risk. This includes eating fruits and
vegetables, staying away from junk food and limiting your alcohol
consumption.
Stay physically active and in shape – as obesity is one of the causing
factors of certain cancers it would only make sense to want to try and stay
as healthy as possible. Whether it be participating in programs, doing
9. 9
yoga, going for runs or even working out, all these can lead to a healthier
lifestyle.
Go to the doctors regularly – this is the most important way of preventing
cancer or at least stopping it quickly. Regular check ups will ensure that
your body is healthy and going for screenings to see if you have any form
of cancer will more than likely pay off in the long run. If the cancer is
spotted soon enough, your likelihood of removing it is greater.
10. 10
References
Cancer Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/statistics
How Cancer affects the six dimensions of Wellness. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2016,
from http://fitnessconcepts.pbworks.com/w/page/10256912/How Cancer affects the six
dimensions of Wellness
How cancers grow. (2014). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/how-cancers-grow
Risk Factors for Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk
