Cancer- About, Risks, Types and Treatment in India
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease marked by the development of abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably and have the ability to destroy any normal body tissue and affect its functioning. Cancer often has the ability to metastasize i.e. spread to other parts of the body.
It is one of the leading causes of death in the world, however, thanks to the improvement in medical technologies, which help in early detection and better treatment, the mortality rates of cancer patients have significantly reduced.
Not all causes of cancer are known, however, there is a multitude of chemical, physical and biological agents that have been shown to trigger the defects in the cell blueprint that cause cancer.
The cancer risk factors can be broadly divided (below is not exhaustive) into the following:
- Biological or internal factors such as sex, age, hereditary genetic defects
- Environmental factors such as exposure to radon and UV radiation and fine particulate matter
- Occupational factors including exposure to carcinogens e.g. chemicals, radioactive materials, tar, plastics (e.g. vinyl chloride), polynuclear hydrocarbons (e.g. benzopyrene) and asbestos
- Lifestyle-related factors such as tobacco, alcohol, some food-related factors, such as nitrites and polyaromatic hydrocarbons generated by barbecuing food
- Bacteria and viruses such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori, which causes gastritis), HBV, HCV (hepatitis viruses that cause hepatitis), HPV (human papillomavirus affecting cervical cells), EBV (Epstein-Barr virus, the herpes virus that causes inflammation of the throat lymphoid)
- Radiation such as ionizing radiation (e.g. X-ray radiation, soil radon), non-ionized radiation (the sun’s ultraviolet radiation)
- Mutations of genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 (linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers) can inhibit the body's ability to safeguard and repair DNA. Copies of these mutated genes can be passed on genetically to future generations, leading to a genetically-inherited increased risk of cancer.
Cancer Treatment in India
Cancer treatment in India is highly sought after, because of the top-notch talent, world-class facilities and cost being far cheaper than in the US and UK. At Treatment tours India (TreatmenttoursIndia.com), we offer comprehensive care for patients suffering from cancer, including advanced diagnosis, best treatment options. A team of Oncologists, Radiologists, and doctors of other specialties work together to treat every patient. Our affiliated hospitals have the latest technology and infrastructure to offer the best cancer treatment in India at a low cost.
We study each patient's type and stage of cancer to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Our medical care team carefully selects the treatment option that facilitates the patient to maintain quality of life with a good survival rate.
Cancer color awareness ribbons
Different color ribbons are used to show support or raise consciousness for a cause. Different colors are associated with different types of cancer.
The most common types of cancer awareness ribbon colors are:
Lung cancer: white
Brain cancer: grey
Breast cancer: pink
Liver cancer: emerald green
Lymphoma: lime green
Prostate cancer: light blue
Stomach cancer: periwinkle blue
Bone cancer: yellow
Leukemia: orange
Colon cancer: dark blue
But the list doesn’t finish here. Some cancers share the same color as Orange color represents kidney cancer and leukemia. Green is used for liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, and lymphoma. Variations of purple color are used for many types of cancer like pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, leiomyosarcoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, stomach cancer, and esophageal cancer.