Cancer is an abnormal growth of body cell or group of cells. If it is not destroyed or removed, cancer can spread very rapidly, and eventually lead to death.

Cancer is an abnormal growth of a body cell or group of cells. If it is not destroyed or removed, cancer can spread very rapidly, and eventually lead to death.

There are two kinds of tumour – Malignant & Benign. A benign tumour is more common, and is generally harmless, It doesn’t spread to other parts of body. A malignant tumour on the other hand, never stops growing unless until treated and can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer is the name given to a malignant growth.

No. Since cancer is not caused by a germ, it is not “catching”, and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

No. Cancer cells may move through the blood stream to another part of the body indicating spread of disease. Cancer can however develop in certain tissues, which form the blood cells.

  In 3 ways.

1. Cancer cells grow through the walls of blood vessels and are carried by the blood stream to other parts of the body.
2. They enter the lymphatic stream and are carried to the lymph glands.
3. They grow directly incontiguity from one tissue to another.

There is no definite rate of growth of cancer tissue. Some cancers grow fast and some are slow growing. For example, it takes 2 to 5 years for breast cancer to develop to 1cm.

No. The term “cancer” includes all forms of malignant growth. Very many varieties are known. These have certain characteristics in common, such as uncontrolled growth, a tendency to spread widely in the body and fatal termination if not treated early and adequately. They differ in certain characteristics, such as location in the body, microscopic appearance, and response to treatment.

There are 7 early warning signals. But the real tragedy about cancer is that it produces very minor symptoms at first. So you could have cancer and not know it. The best way to detect cancer is to have a regular yearly check-up.

By performing a biopsy or FNAC i.e. examining a small portion of the tissue under a microscope. In advanced cases, physical examination alone may reveal the diagnosis. But the chances of cure at late stage are very poor.

No. Leprosy is caused by a germ. Both the symptoms and the treatment for the two diseases are entirely different

As long ago as 3,000 BBC., Egyptain historians made references to ” tumours and ulcers”. Mummies from the Gizeb Pyramids were found to have cancer involving the bones. But the incidence of cancer is increasing. It is related to our life styles and urbanisation i.e. tobacco, alcohol use, pollution, preserved and junk food etc. It is becoming a disease of modernization.

Yes. Your life-style may make you more prone to some cancers. e.g. cancers of the colon, lung and skin are common in Britain and U.S.A. Cancers involving the oral cavity are more common in India. In women, cancer of the breast, uterus and gall bladder are common.

One out of every 8 Indians develop cancer in their lifetime. There are about 8.5 lakh cancer patients in India alone (Year, 2000). Though cancer can occur at any age, the incidence is high after the age of 40 to 45.

Though it is very difficult to pinpoint the definite cause. Certain substances, known as carcinogens, can definitely increase your chances of getting cancer. For instance, people who smoke or chew tobacco are more prone to mouth, throat and lung cancer, Contrary to popular opinion, beedi smoking is twice as dangerous as cigarettes. Continued irritation of tissues can lead to cancer. Pollution, preserved food, smoked and junk food are also contributory. Even certain viruses can cause cancer (EBV, Hepatitis B, HPV). Amongst other known causes are asbestos, arsenic, pitch, tar, ultra-violet rays.

There is no scientific evidence that cancer is directly caused by a germ. Although certain viruses are known to cause cancer but they form <2% of the cancer burden

A single injury to soft tissue or bone does not give rise to cancer.

High fat, low roughage western diet predisposes to colon cancer. Diet rich in animal fats also contributes to breast cancer. Green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits contain certain antioxidants which prevent cancer. Recently tomato, ginger and cabbage etc. have been found to have medicinal antioxidant property. Avoid junk food, smoked food and preserved food. Be vegetarian and prevent cancer!

There is no scientific evidence that it will, since cancer of stomach may occur in people who eat most regularly.

There is little evidence that the temperature of food is an important factor in development of cancer. But recently too hot food has been correlated with food pipe cancer. Too spicy food may be related to stomach cancer as is evident from its high incidence in Southern parts of India.

Alcohol is a predisposing factor for the development of cancer of oesophagus, laryngopharynx and liver.

There are probably inherited tendencies that may lead to cancers of different types. The presence of cancer in one or both parents should be a cause for greater alertness in looking for and recognising suspicious symptoms in the individual. Cancer however is not inherited except for one type of eye cancer known as Retinoblastoma. Only 5% of breast cancers are considered hereditary.

No. There is no record of cancer having been transmitted by kissing or by any contact, accidental or otherwise, between individuals or between person and animals.

Cancer may occur in any tissue to the body, but a corn does not as a rule develop into cancer.

Simple freckles do not. However, flat moles containing pigment of a bluish-black colour and looking like dark freckles, may become cancerous and should be checked periodically.

No. Piles or hemorrhoids are merely enlarged veins in the rectal wall. Cancer is occasionally found in the tissue above the hemorrhoids. So “bleeding piles” should be examined carefully to determine whether cancer is also present. Rectal bleeding can occur due to cancer.

Cancer is a disease of body cells. One’s mental condition has no direct effect on the course of the disease since this malignant change is apparently due to physical process. But positive attitudes, fighting spirits and healthy thinking helps you to cope with cancer better. So, it has an indirect bearing on response to cancer treatment.

Indiscriminate use of X-rays frequently may increase your chances of getting cancer. Lately, there are certain reports quoting higher incidence of Leukaemia and Brain Tumours in persons using Cellphone. But this needs further research.

Prevention is better than cure. More than half of the cancers are preventable! Avoid smoking and tobacco chewing in any form. Alcohol should only be taken in moderation. It is better avoided. Take low fat, vegetarian diet. Avoid ill fitting dentures, Report to doctor immediately if you notice any of seven warning signals.

develop into cancer with passage of time. Cancer does not form in day’s or week’s time. It takes many years to develop. It passes through many stages normal cell abnormal cell Precancerous lesion Frank cancer Metastasic cancer.

No age is free from cancer. Certain forms of cancer, especially of the eyes and blood are found in young children.

The answer is no. In many families where a parent had cancer, the disease does not appear in the children. Again, a person whose family has no record of cancer may develop it. A tendency to develop breast cancer however runs in families. Even colon cancers are known to be familial.

The rate of growth at any age depends upon the type of cancer, though cancer does grow faster at younger ages.

The cure of cancer has little relationship with age. It depends upon the extent of growth at the time it is detected, the adequacy of the treatment given, as well as the type of cancer detected.

Cancer deaths can be reduced by following means :

1. Cancer is preventable by living a simple life like no tobacco chewing or smoking, vegetarian high     roughage low fat diet, no alcohol and use of fresh fruits & fresh vegetables. Half of the cancers can be     prevented by changing our own life styles.
2. Early detection by screening before symptoms appear.
3. Early detection in symptomatic patients. Treat them early with multimodal treatment.
4. Provide good care under one roof with all ultramodern gadgetary. Even if it is advanced disease, try to     improve quality of life. “Add life to years in advanced cases”.

It often does. It depends upon the type of cancer you have and how much must be done to treat it. Many hospitals provide free treatment to those who cannot afford to pay.

For the following reasons, among others :

1. Few quacks are medically trained; therefore, they have no fundamental knowledge about cancer.
2. They cause the patient to lose valuable time that should be used to obtain correct treatment.
3. The pastes and “medicines” used by quacks have no value in curing cancer.
4. The quack takes the patient’s money under false pretenses, thus depriving him of the means for obtaining competent treatment in time to enable him/her to be cured.

If a person advertise a cure, guarantees a cure, or employs a method of diagnosis or treatment not generally accepted or endorsed by the medical profession, may be classed as a quack. No reputed ethical physician will do any of these things.

Home Care Services are provided to those patients, who are terminally ill and in whom all treatment modalities have been exhausted. These facilities are provided free of cost. Doctor, Psychologist, Nursing Staff and Technician visit the home of patient and provide advise regarding nursing care, medicines etc. They also provide medicines free of charge to patients.