What is Cancer and how to avoid it?

What is cancer:

Cancer is simply a unique group of diseases which are characterized by a cell growth that is out of control. In general, there is more than 100 different cancer types with each classified according to the type of cell initially affected. Cancer is known to harm the body when the affected cells divide uncontrollably forming lumps of tissue referred to as tumors. The only different characteristic is found in leukemia where cancer does not allow normal blood functionality by exhibiting an abnormal division of cells in the blood stream.

In most cases, the tumors develop and temper with the digestive, circulatory and the nervous systems prompting the release of hormones which alter the normal functioning of the body. There are tumors which tend to stay in one particular place demonstrating a limited growth; these are generally referred to as being benign.

The most dangerous tumors develop as a result of:

• The cancer cell managing to move through the entire body via blood or lymph systems destroying the healthy tissue through a process known as invasion

• The cell managing to divide and develop prompting new blood vessels to feed themselves by angiogenesis

Metastasized is therefore the successful spread of the tumor to other parts of the body in invasion and destruction of other healthy tissues. This process is referred to as metastasis and the consequences are extremely serious and hard to treat.

Causes of cancer:

The ultimate result of uncontrollable cell division and growth is what is referred to as cancer. In normal circumstances, the body cells grow, divide and die in an orderly manner. The programmed cell death is known as apoptosis and in the event of the process breaking down, cancer forms. Although regular cells undergo a programmatic death process, cancer cells defy this order and continue growing and dividing leading to masses of abnormal cell out of control growth.

How to avoid cancer:

One can avoid cancer by simply changing lifestyles. For instance, cancer that is linked to smoking, drinking such as lung, mouth, throat and liver cancer can be prevented by quitting the practices. In cases of skin cancer, by simply staying in shade, putting on a hat or just covering the body well while in direct sunshine, you can be sure to avoid it. Diet is also very important; eat diets with low fat content, fruits, whole grains and vegetables.