Cancer

Cancers figure among the leading

causes of morbidity and mortality
worldwide, with approximately 14
million new cases and 8.2 million
cancer related deaths in 2012 (WHO).
Cancer is the third leading cause of
morbidity and mortality in the country
after diseases of the heart and the
vascular system
Among Filipino men, the 6 most
common sites of cancer diagnosed in
2010: were lung, liver, colon/rectum,
prostate, stomach, and leukemia.
Among Filipino women the 6 most
common sites diagnosed were breast,
cervix, lung, colon/rectum, ovary and
liver.
 The Big Apple

Refers to a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal cell division.

Disruption in Cell Cycle.
Instead of stopping and starting at appropriate points, cancerous cells divide
continuously until disorganized solid mass of cells is formed.
Cancer cells divide faster than a healthy cell.
- Absence of growth factor
- Missing chromosomes
- Genetic abnormalities accumulate in the body.
Treatment:
Chemotherapy
is a widely used treatment for cancer. The term chemotherapy refers to the drugs that prevent
cancer cells from dividing and growing. It does this by killing the dividing cells.
Chemotherapy drugs interfere with a cancer cell's ability to divide and reproduce.
A single drug or a combination of drugs is used.
May be given with a curative intent, or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms.
Here are some of the adverse effects that may occur:
1. Nausea and vomiting 7. Loss of appetite
2.Alopecia, or hair loss 8. Infertility
3. Fatigue
4. Hearing impairment
5. Low white blood cell count and susceptibility to infections
6. Low blood platelet count and bleeding problems
Your cancer doctor, called an
oncologist, may prescribe one
chemo drug or a mix of different
ones, depending on:
Your type of cancer
Whether you’ve had cancer before
If you have other health problems
like diabetes or heart, kidney, or
liver disease
Some drugs damage the DNA of
cancer cells to keep them from
making more copies of themselves.
Alkylating agents
the oldest type of chemotherapy.
Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide
As they kill bad cells, though, they
can also destroy your bone marrow
in the process, which can cause
leukemia years later.
They treat many different types of
cancer, such as leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease,
multiple myeloma, and sarcoma,
as well as breast, lung, and ovarian
cancers.
Antimetabolites
Interferes with the normal
metabolism of cells, which makes
them stop growing.
leukemia and cancer in the
breasts, ovaries, and intestines.
5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine,
methotrexate
Anthracycline
Anti-tumor antibiotics
attacks the enzymes inside cancer
cells’ DNA that help them divide
and grow.
actinomycin-D, bleomycin,
daunorubicin, and doxorubicin
damage your heart or lungs. So
your doctor will have you take them
for a short time.
Mitotic inhibitors
stop cancer cells from making
more copies of themselves. They
can also stop your body from
making the proteins that cancer
cells need to grow.
docetaxel, and vinblastine.
Steroids
drugs that act like your body’s own
hormones.
They are useful in treating many
types of cancer, and they can keep
you from having nausea and
vomiting after a round of chemo.
They can also prevent allergic
reactions to some of the drugs.
prednisone, methylprednisolone,
and dexamethasone.
Here are some everyday foods and
drinks that are labeled as carcinogenic:
Burned or heavily barbecued foods
Red meat – beef, carabao, lamb, goat
Salted fish
Alcoholic beverages
Processed meats: hotdogs, bacon,
sausages,
1. Regularly Exercise
According to a number of medical
researches, it has been strongly
confirmed that “increased physical
activity” has been highly associated with
a decreased risk of various diseases
including cancer and cardiovascular
diseases. Consistent results from
decades of research have indicated that
obesity and stress significantly increase
risk of cancer. A regular exercise helps
reducing stress and eliminating
excessive calories (stored as fat).
Recommendations:
Having a 30-min exercise regularly at
least 3 times/week.
Controlling a balance weight indicated by
healthy body mass index (BMI).
2. Clear mind of stress
Stress has indicated the strong linkage
to a reduction in immune system
functions, resulting in an increased risk
of cancer. Since a healthy body should
be generated from a strong mind,
therefore clearing of mind helps
eradicating stress. As a consequence,
immune response can be substantially
boosted.
Recommendations:
Different ways to clear mind may
include a wide range of activities such
as recreational activities, religious-
related activities, travelling and field
trips as well as exercise.
The idea of “sufficiency” which entails
the notions of moderation and
reasonableness greatly brings peace of
mind.
3. Eat vegetables and fruits
“dietary cancer chemo- preventive agents”
that include anti-cancer substances and anti-
oxidant agents e.g. vitamin A, C and E, beta
carotene, lycopene and isoflavonoid
vegetables and fruits highly contain fiber
which activates mucus secretion and
increases mucus thickness in the colon.
Consequently, this mucus acts as the
protective barrier of epithelial surface of
colon which reduces colonic irritation,
resulting in a decreased risk of colon cancer
development.
From numerous clinical researches, anti-
cancer substances with molecular
mechanisms are commonly found ginger,
green tea, red grape, honey, garlic, tomato,
carrot, cabbage and broccoli.
Recommendations:
Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables
as part of the daily diet. An approximate
amount of vegetables and fruits in each meal
should be half out of full portion or roughly
500 grams/day.
4. Have routine health checkups
Routine checkups and cancer
screening program help to detect
cancer before symptoms appear.
The risk of cancer development can be
individually assessed and preventive
care will be provided in accordance
with personal risks of individuals.
This increases a chance of complete
remission and having better quality of
life than to find out at late stage.
Since cancer prevention might not
100% work, cancer screening and early
detection remain crucially essential.
Recommendations:
Being aware of 7 warning signs and
symptoms that might indicate cancer
Having a regular cancer screening
every year particularly if over 35.
5. Consume a wide variety of foods
Approximately, statistical data indicates that
1/3 of cancer cases is strongly related to
“unhealthy eating habits” especially the
continuous consumption of high-calorie and
high-fat diets.
In addition, foods and drinks that are labeled
as “carcinogenic” include fermented or
processed meats contaminated with
potassium nitrate and nitrite which can be
further changed to nitrosamine (a harmful
carcinogen), aflatoxins found in roasted
peanut and dried chili (known as liver cancer
cause) and grilled or smoked meats.
Recommendations:
Consumption of a variety of diets with food
groups which are freshly prepared, clean and
free of fungi or yeast contamination.
Avoiding fatty foods, burnt grilled meats, read
meats and processed food products which
highly contain sodium nitrate and
nitrosamine.
“Cancer can take away all of my
physical abilities. It cannot touch my
mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it
cannot touch my soul.”
– Jim Valvano