“You have cancer,” your doctor said in a very calm and professional way. No matter how he said it, the gruesome news that you have the dreaded disease of cancer will still hit you like a vicious punch in the gut. You will slump in your chair like an empty sack. Your face gets tight; life seems to slowly ebb away.
And you will feel cold as if a gust of Arctic winds suddenly envelop your entire being.
Then self-denial sets in. You will ask yourself, “Why me?” despite knowing the obvious answer which comes right after – “Why not?”
Your mind will become a kaleidoscope of unanswerable questions and grotesque images. Images like your family and friends sending you off as you are lowered into the ground.
Is it the end?
Not quite. Just when dark clouds hover over you, your thinking and logical self will kick inset in and say, “I am not dead yet. I still have time to make the most of what’s left; time enough to know what I am up against with and learn how to ride it till the end.”
Time to know…
What is cancer
Cancer is a collective term for diseases that occur when some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping until they spread into surrounding tissues.
As long as you’re alive, the cells in your body follow the same cycle – they grow old or damaged, die, and new ones take their place.
Sometimes, this process breaks down. Old or damaged cells will not die, but new cells still form even if not needed. These extra cells divide without stopping to form growths called “tumors,” which are nothing but masses of tissues.
An exception to the rule is leukemia and other cancers of the blood – they don’t form tumors.
Note: Only malignant tumors are cancerous. The benign ones are not.
Cancer risk factors
There are several ways for a person to get cancer, the most common risk factors are:
Aging
Advancing age is the most important cancer risk factor because, “As you get older, you tend to have more potential exposures and more unhealthy habits,” says Dr. David Boyd, of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America,
In fact, about 60% of those who have cancer are people 65 years old and above.
Smoking
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in the world. This is because cigarettes and other tobacco products contain chemicals that damage the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).
Sun exposure
Sun exposure is good, it is healthy. It helps your skin produce plenty of vitamin D which your body needs.
Beauty conscious women bask in the sun for hours to get that exotic and sexy tan.
But too much exposure can cause dry skin and premature wrinkling. Excessive exposure can cause the formation of cancer cells.
Radiation exposure
Certain radiation wavelengths, called “ionizing radiation,” from radon (radioactive gas from rocks and soil), x-rays, UV light from the sun, gamma rays, etc., can damage your DNA and cause cancer.
Take note that these radiations may come from such benign sources x-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, PET (positron emission tomography), and radiation therapy you are often subjected to in hospitals.
Chemicals and other substances
They are known carcinogenic household items such as benzene, beryllium (an alloying element for making springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes, etc), vinyl chloride, asbestos, and arsenic.
Some viruses
Some viruses are linked to human cancer like the human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr, human T-lymphotropic, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus or KSHV, and Merkel cell polyomavirus.
Certain hormones
Hormones are special chemical messengers in the body created in the endocrine glands. These messengers control most major bodily functions, from simple basic needs like hunger to more complex systems like emotions, mood, and reproduction, to name a few.
One example of such hormone is estrogen.
Estrogens are a group of hormones which, in females, play an important role in the development of breasts, pubic and armpit hair, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproduction.
It is a known carcinogen, but if taken with progestin (a synthetic version of the female hormone, progesterone) as a menopausal hormone therapy, can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Family history
Like heart disease, cancer also runs in the family – for the same reasons – genes and lifestyles.
Contrary to popular belief, however, cancer is not inherited but the faulty gene mutations may be passed on from parent to child. In fact, only about 5 to 10% of all cancers result from defective genes inherited from parents.
This should give you some relief.
Alcohol
All alcoholic beverages contain ethyl or ethanol alcohol. Per se, these are harmless substances if taken moderately or occasionally.
But over the long haul, alcoholic beverages can cause different types of cancers. In fact, the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists alcohol consumption as a human carcinogen. And in a 2009 study, an estimated 3.5% cancer deaths in the U.S. were alcohol-related.
Poor diet
What you eat can have a great impact on your developing cancer.
Diet high in fats like fast foods, chips, fried chicken, and sugar-laden snack items like chocolate, crisps and biscuits can lead to obesity – which is a cancer risk.
Lack of exercise
Lack of exercise is not only a cancer risk factor but for a host of other chronic medical issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, even premature death.
On the other hand, physical activity lowers the risk of cancer because of the following:
- Lowers the levels of hormones like insulin and estrogen and other growth factors associated with cancer development and progression.
- Helps prevent obesity, and decrease the harmful effects of a condition like insulin resistance
- Exercise reduces risks of inflammation.
- Improves the function of the immune system
- Improves the metabolism of the bile acids resulting in decreased exposure of the gastrointestinal tract to harmful carcinogens.
Obesity
Evidence from various studies to establish the link between obesity and cancer show that being overweight can result in almost a dozen types of cancers such as endometrial, esophageal adenocarcinoma, liver cancer, gastric cardia cancer, etc.
In fact, in 2012, 3.5% in men, and 9.5% new cancer cases in the U.S. were due to obesity.
Common cancer types among the elderly
There are more than a hundred types of cancers but the most common among seniors are:
Lung cancer
While cigarette smoking is the obvious cause of lung cancer, there are other risk factors as well, such as:
Causes and risk factors
- Exposure to tobacco smoke or second-hand smoking
- Long-term exposure to asbestos fiber
- Family history
Symptoms
- Chest pains
- Chronic, or worsening cough
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Pains in the bones
Colon cancer
Colon cancer is the formation of abnormal cells in the colon or rectum. Seniors must be aware of its early symptoms because more than 90% of colon cancer cases are in people 50 years old and above. The five-year survival rate is pretty high – 90% if it is detected while in stage 1.
Causes and risk factors
Causes and risk factors of colon cancer, but evidence suggests any or a combination of the following:
- Age
- A diet that contains too much meat or processed foods
- Type 2 diabetes
- Genetics/family history
- Crohn’s Disease – chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially in the colon and ileum (the third portion of the small intestine), ds
Symptoms
You must understand these symptoms to catch it formation in its earliest state:
- Constant pain in the abdomen (cramps, gas pain, etc)
- Blood in stool
- Severe weight loss
- Constipation
- Regular diarrhea
As a hedge against the disease, people aged 50 and above should have a regular colonoscopy.
Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer or gastric cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in the stomach. This cancer type is common among people 60 and above, and its survival rate depends on its early detection.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Genetics (this is mot common among Asians and South American descent)
- Family history
- Smoking tobacco
- Eating too much meat, salty and processed foods
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Diet high in processed or salty foods
Symptoms
Early detection is crucial to control the disease. Sadly, it isn’t caught until it is in later stages, decreasing its survival rate.
- Weight Loss or loss of appetite
- Blood in tool
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Jaundice
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a very common type of cancer. Though it can happen to both men and women, more than 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women aged 50 and above.
Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of breast cancer are still largely unknown but scientists have identified the following risk factors that may cause the build-up of abnormal cells:
- Genetics/Family History
- High levels of the Hormone Estrogen
- Obesity
- High alcohol intake
Symptoms
The five-year survival rate of breast cancer is between 93 to 100% – provided its early symptoms are recognized and attended to.
- Lump in breast tissue or underarm area
- Breast or nipple pain
- Breast swelling
- Nipple discharge
- Redness or thickening of breast skin
Women must in constant watch for the above symptoms to catch the disease in its early stage.
Prostate Cancer
This is a men’s only cancer type and occurs in the prostate – a small gland, located near the bladder and rectum, and is part of the male reproductive system.
About 50% of people diagnosed with prostate cancer are men over 65 years of age.
Causes and Risk Factors
The following are the risk factors of prostate cancer:
- Male, over the age of 50
- Genetics (more common among African Americans)
- Diet high in meat and dairy
- More common in people that have diets high in meat and dairy
- Family history
Symptoms
The survival rate of prostate cancer is high if the symptoms detected early. They are:
- Blood in urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the lower body (hips, lower back, etc)
- Problems urinating
- Frequent urination
How is cancer treated and how to cope with it
Cancer treatment is dependent on the type of cancer and the stage it is in. Therefore, there is no fixed formula for treatment. But it is usually through drugs and one or a combination of the following:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
Of course, everything depends on the best judgment of your doctor.
Coping with cancer
To be diagnosed with cancer is one of the toughest things you ever had to deal with (I know how it feels when I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma).
Feelings of disbelief, shock, fear, and anger revolve around you like a horde of flies. But they do nothing to alleviate the emotional trauma of having the disease. On the contrary, they feed on it, make you more miserable and, unwittingly, contribute to the spread of the disease.
Learn to have a pragmatic view of your ailment by doing these:
Learn everything about it and its treatment
Learning as much as you can about your cancer and its treatment gives you a sense of control over what’s happening. If there are things you don’t know or understand, ask your cancer team. Face it squarely and it will never harm you.
Express your feelings
Don’t bottle things up inside you. Express them, shout them out to the world if you have to. But don’t kill those around you with boredom by being repetitive.
“Expressing your feelings” means talking to people about a lot of things, other than what ails you. It means engaging them in a win-win and lively conversation.
If you don’t have people around you, write your feelings down in a journal, or listen or play music, paint, or anything that takes your mind off your cancer.
Take care of yourself
Having a cancer is no reason to abandon your sanitation habits, or eating non-nutritious food. These things can lead to depression or more health problems.
Go on with your life the way it was. Go for your favorite food, go out with friends, take a vacation, watch a movie or anything that boosts your feelings of well-being. Get enough sleep.
A healthy attitude is the best antidote for any ailment.
Exercise
If you can still do it, consult your doctor for a doable exercise program. You can start a daily walking routine, or swim, or yoga. These are not so stressful, yet invaluable to strengthening your body.
Focus on what you can control
You may not be able to control its spread, but you can control your reaction to it. Yes, you may feel sad, angry, or grieve over how it had changed your life, but negative feelings are not going to make it go away.
Rather, focus on things you can do to make you forget about it even for short moments of the day. Reach out to supportive family and friends, visit your local church and, talk to your priest or pastor. Get involved in charity work or volunteerism.
Keep away from people who will feed your negativism. Even experts don’t profess to know everything about the disease.
Focus on the positive. It may not cure you, but it will put a smile on your face all the way.
Nothing is more scary than to face the unknown. It stops you dead on your tracks, freezes your brain – like cancer does to most people.
I once faced it. Timely medical intervention and the desire to get through it saved me from the worse. Now you know it, what it does, the treatment options available to you and how to cope with it.
It is no longer an unknown. So why fear it?
Image:https://bit.ly/2OC3eel
~oOo~
