Prevention and management of side effects from cancer treatment

Prevention and Management of Side Effects from Cancer Treatment

Introduction

Cancer is a disease which is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer begins from the building blocks of our body called cells. In our body, new cells are formed which replace old cells which die. We need the production of these new cells in our body to survive but sometimes this process of building new cells goes wrong. New cells are formed even when they are not needed and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells form a tumour; these tumours could either be 'benign' or 'malignant'. Benign tumours don't cause cancer but malignant tumours cause cancer. The cells that cause cancer are also called malignant cells and these cells could invade nearby tissues and could also spread to other parts of the body (Bellenir, 2003).

The most common causes which develop cancerous cells ion human body include drinking excess alcohol, excessive sunlight exposure, viruses, radiation, obesity, benzene and other chemicals and genetic problems. The spread of cancerous cells from one body part to the other is known as 'metastatis' (Bellenir, 2003).

Types of Cancer

There are different types of cancer. Cancer can develop in any part or organ or tissue of the body. These could include lung, breast, skin, bones, colon, nerve tissues, etc. The most common types of cancer which cause death among men include lung cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. The cancer types which cause death among women include breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Some other types of cancer which are popular around the world are cervical cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, uterine cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer and leukemia. These are the most common types of cancer found in different parts of the world (Cicala, 2001).

Treatments to Prevent Cancer

Technology has discovered a number of remedies and treatments to prevent cancer. Treatments to prevent cancer are essential to discuss because these are the treatments which help prevent this major disease due to which an individual falls dangerously ill and this harmful disease could also cause an individual's death. Some of the most commonly and successfully used treatments are discussed below (Cicala, 2001).

Most people who suffer from cancer usually undergo some type of surgery. A surgery can be used to treat, diagnose and in some cases even prevent cancer. Surgery could have greater chances of cure if cancer has not spread to other parts of the human body. Surgeries are done for many reasons; some surgeries are small which are called procedures while others are large operations. Some of the most common types of surgery include preventive surgery, diagnostic surgery, curative surgery, staging surgery, supportive surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment in which medicines or drugs are used to treat cancer. This treatment is also called 'chemo'. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells which have metastasized far away from the primary ...