Cancer Symptoms

Cancer Symptoms in Men:

Here are some cancer symptoms seen in men that they should not ignore. Stomachache or upset stomach that cannot be attributed to digestive problems, feeling full even after having a small meal and a chronic “acid stomach,” unexplained weight loss, chest pain or chronic cough, infections and frequent fevers, and difficulty in swallowing. In addition, cancer symptoms in men include chronic heartburn, facial swelling, a lump in the underarm, neck or groin or swollen lymph nodes, weakness and fatigue, bowel problems, and difficulty urinating.

Cancer Symptoms in Women:

Cancer symptoms in women such as pelvic pain, abdominal bloating and swelling, abnormal vaginal bleeding, persistent fever, unintentional weight loss and vaginal abnormalities are a cause for concern. These are just a few of the cancer symptoms seen in women. In addition to these, there are other symptoms such as breast changes, skin changes, difficulty in swallowing and indigestion.

Cancer Symptoms in Children:

Cancer symptoms in kids have to be monitored for some time and you need to check if they are getting worse over a period of time. If you are unable to explain certain symptoms and they last for a long time, it is best that your child goes in for a complete CBC test to check for cancer. Some cancer symptoms in children include vomiting, muscle or bone pain, persistent cough, and an enlarged mass in the legs, arms, neck or abdomen. Cancer symptoms in teenagers should also be paid attention to.

Cancer Stages

    
Based on cancer stages, prognosis is made by doctors. Cancer staging is a process whereby cancer is placed at different levels depending on the extent the cancer has spread. There are basically four stages: cancer stage 1, cancer stage 2, cancer stage 3, and cancer stage 4. In cancer stage 1, it is seen that cancers are localized to just one particular area of the body. In cancer stage 2, the cancers become locally advanced. In cancer stage 3, in addition to being  locally advanced, the specific criteria for cancer stage 2 and cancer stage 3 differs depending on the diagnosis. In cancer stage 4, the cancer has spread to other organs and parts of the body. Doctors identify the cancer stages and treatment is accordingly planned. It is important that cancer staging is done in a proper manner because the treatment depends on the stage your cancer is at.

Cancer Causes

    
What are the cancer causes and effects? Scientists are yet to know the cause of all cancers. Let us start with a cancer causes list before moving on to the effects. Some of the most common cancer causes are tobacco, sunlight, ageing , infection from bacteria and viruses, certain hormones, ionizing radiation, family history (of cancer), alcohol abuse, lack of physical exercise and activity, being overweight, and a poor diet. This cancer causes list is not comprehensive. Broadly speaking cancer causes can be categorized as hereditary or environmental. Scientists are of the opinion that a combination of environmental and genetic factors is responsible for many cancers. It is important that you know the cancer causes and try and control them. For this you have to be aware  of your family history, know what your environmental risk factors are, and also make sure that your take the steps that your physician recommends. Once cancer is diagnosed, the effects are seen both at a physical as well as at an  emotional level. Depending on the stage at which your cancer is diagnosed, there may be various physical changes that you notice. At an emotional level, cancer diagnosis may cause you to  experience a wide range of symptoms such as shock, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty.

Cancer Treatment

    
Your cancer treatment options depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage the cancer is at. There are a number of cancer treatment options such as biologic therapy, bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, alternative medicines, clinical trials, gene therapy, hormone therapy, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and proton therapy. Herbal cancer treatment options have also shown potential in giving a boost to your immune system. However, a lot of research is required in this area. It is important that you stay connected with your cancer care team so that you are able to make informed decisions about your treatment. “What are the cancer treatment costs?” is a question many people ask. Cancer treatment costs can be a fairly expensive affair, especially if you are not covered with insurance. Cancer not only takes a toll on your emotions, health, relations, and time but also your wallet. Make sure you are well informed as to what to expect as far as your cancer treatment costs are concerned. Planning for treatment and being well informed will help you deal with the costs realistically.

Cancer Diet

    
Nutrition plays a very important role in fighting cancer. Following a cancer diet plan can make sure you get your daily requirements of important minerals and vitamins. Prepare your cancer diet recipes with foods that have antioxidant properties. These antioxidant properties help reduce the risk of cancer to some extent. Vegetables that are good include cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprout, carrots and mushrooms. Sea vegetables and seaweed also contain vitamins and cancer fighting properties. As part of your cancer diet cure include foods such as pecans, walnuts, and almonds in your diet. For those suffering from cancer, diet recipes that call for nuts in dessert, salads, and main courses are extremely beneficial in helping reduce cancer risks. As part of your cancer diet plan make sure you include figs in your diet. The chemical components in figs, for example, help counterattack the effects of bacteria. Cancer fighting foods like citrus fruits may also help prevent cancer. So make sure you increase your intake of lemons, oranges, grapefruit and blood oranges. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries have antioxidants that are beneficial in fighting cancer cells. Papaya is another fruit you can add to your cancer diet plan. Apart from fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs are good for combating cancer.