In recent years Cancer is disease that has seemed to captivate and frighten
Americans. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. with more
than 1 million new cases occurring a year. With each day scientific findings aid
a better understanding of the causes of the disease. These findings have opened
doors to help treat cancer patients more effectively. Scientists have gained a
more specific knowledge of individual cancers and now through the wonders of
science have found effective treatments for the disease. To treat Cancer doctors
and scientist need an understanding of what the disease actually physically
does. Cancer is defined as "new growth of tissue resulting from a
continuing proliferation of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade and
destroy other tissues." Cancer is not restricted to what type of cell and
tissue it may emerge from. Therefore, they describe the disease as a large
number of diseases as opposed to just on single disease. Because Cancer involves
cells that can easily enter the bloodstream the disease has the ability to
spread rapidly throughout the body making it an even more dangerous disease.
Another factor in successful treatment of Cancer is to understand the causes for
the disease. It is believed that a combination of several factors produce the
disease. Inheritance is said to play a roll in about 20 percent of Cancers.
Although it is more prevalent in cancer types such as breast and colon. Viral
infections play a large role in cancer of animals. In humans different DNA
viruses can cause leukemia and Burkitt's lymphoma. Long term radiation also
plays a role in the mutation of DNA that may cause Cancer. Environmental factors
are estimated to be responsible for about 80 percent Cancers. Factors such as
tobacco smoking are said to cause 30 percent of cancers and diet is believed to
cause about 40 percent. Only with a complete understanding of the physical
characteristics and causes of Cancer can scientists and doctors begin to develop
effective treatments. Currently there are three major ways of treating Cancer;
surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The idea behind surgery for treatment of
cancer patients is to remove all malignant cells and tumors. With new, more
precise, surgical advances, far less tissue is required to be removed thus
resulting in a quicker recovery and less chance for serious disability. Surgery
is most effective if done in the early stages of Cancer, although it is
effective in more developed stages in relieving symptoms. Surgery is also used
to make other forms of treatment, such as radiation, more effective. With the
reduction of the tumor through surgery radiation treatment may effectively
eliminate the tumor. Radiation treatment of cancer uses gamma rays attack Cancer
causing tissue. Since tumors are more sensitive to radiation than normal tissue
radiation can effectively eliminate or reduce harmful tissues that surgery can
otherwise not remove. Since normal tissues are not as easily harmed by
radiation, the negative effects on healthy tissue are not as severe. If the
tumor is reduced through radiation, it may become possible for a doctor to
eliminate the tumor through surgery. Radiation can also sterilize tumors thus
preventing or slowing the spread of the Cancer through the body. This can also
help doctors remove the tumor more easily through surgery, and provides a much
less involved, painful surgery. The combination of radiation and surgery, if
effective, can offer a cure with fewer negative side effects to the patient. The
final traditional means of treating cancer is Chemotherapy. This form of
treatment involves the use of drugs. Chemotherapy is used when Cancer has grown
throughout the body and is no longer accessible through radiation or surgery.
Although after chemotherapy, surgery is often used to eliminate remaining
Caceres tissue. In this treatment drugs are administered and pass through the
blood stream effecting Cancer tissue and healthy tissue. Since the drugs affect
healthy tissue the patient will become sick from the treatment but because
healthy cells divide faster than malignant cells the patient is able to
recuperate. Chemotherapy, like all Cancer treatments, is most effective when
administered early the early stages of the disease. It is also important that
the treatment is consistent and administered frequently in order to achieve the
most successful results. Cancer is disease that has not only plagued American
society, but the world for several decades. With new advances in science and
technology humans inch closer to effective treatments of the disease. Presently,
medical advances occur daily and bring new hope to the victims and potential
victims of diseases like Cancer. In a world that has had its fair share of ups
and downs with technology, medical advances have proved not only interesting but
useful. Without these advances in medical technology many lives would never have
been saved and many more in great danger.