DEFINITION

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body.

DESCRIPTION

Cancer can develop from any tissue within any organ of the body. When Cancer cells grow and multiply, they form a mass of cancerous tissue that invades surrounding tissues and can spread around the body. This process is known as metastasis and occurs when the Cancer cells enter the bloodstream or the lymph vessels, allowing them to travel through the body.

RISK FACTORS
- Family history of a particular Cancer.
- Chromosomal abnormalities.
- Smoking substantially increases the risk of developing Cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx and bladder.
- Unprotected exposure to sunlight causes Skin Cancer.
- Diet. Poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption are risk factors for Cancers of the gastrointestinal system. A diet low in fat and high in fibre reduces the risk of colon, breast and possibly prostate cancer.
- Exposure to certain chemicals (e.g. asbestos).
- Certain viruses. The papillomavirus that causes genital warts is thought to be a cause of cervical cancer in women; hepatitis B virus can cause liver cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice. In no way is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner.
Early diagnosis is very important to improve the likelihood of overcoming Cancer. Many people put off seeing their Doctor because they are afraid of the diagnosis. Early treatment may save their life.

GENERAL CANCER SYMPTOMS
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Pain.

SPECIFIC CANCER SYMPTOMS
- A change in bowel habits or bladder function (may indicate colon cancer, bladder cancer or prostate cancer).
- Sores that do not heal (may indicate skin cancer, oral cancer).
- Unusual bleeding or discharge (may indicate lung cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the bladder or kidney or breast cancer).
- Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body.
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing (may indicate cancer of the oesophagus, stomach or pharynx).
- Recent change in a wart or mole (may indicate skin cancer).
- A nagging cough or hoarseness (may indicate lung cancer, cancer of the larynx or thyroid cancer).

These symptoms are a general guide only. Cancer may cause virtually any sign or symptom and the symptom produced will depend on the size and location of the Cancer and the surrounding organs or structures. Some Cancers will not produce symptoms until the Cancer has grown quite large. Remember that treatment of Cancer is most successful when the Cancer is detected as early as possible.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice. In no way is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner.
- If you have any suspicious symptoms, consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice.
- A cancer-related checkup is recommended every three years between the ages of 20 and 40 and every year for people over 40.
- Women should perform a breast self examination every month and have regular examinations by their Doctor once they reach the age of 20 and mammograms from the age of 35-40. See the Breast Cancer topic for more detailed information.
- Everyone 50 years and over should have regular tests to screen for colon and rectum cancer. If you have a family history of these Cancers, this testing should begin at an earlier age. See the colon cancer topic for more detailed information.
- Women should have regular Pap tests and pelvic examinations once they become sexually active or have reached the age of 18. See the Pap smear and cervical cancer topic for more detailed information.
- Women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer and should report any unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting to their Doctor. Women who have hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer or have a high risk of developing it should be screened for endometrial cancer every year from the age of 35. See the uterine cancer topic for more detailed information.
- Men should be tested for prostate cancer every year after the age of 50, or earlier if they have a high risk of developing it. Your Doctor can give you advice about these and any other Cancer detection tests you should have. Ask your Doctor for advice.

Treatment for Cancer depends on the type and location of the Cancer and may involve surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The surgeon aims to remove as much of the Cancer as possible and can assist in determining how far the tumour has progressed. Specialists may use drugs and radiation to kill the remaining Cancer cells.

PHARMACIST'S ADVICE

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
1) Follow the diet hints.
2) Quit smoking. Smoking substantially increases the risk of developing Cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx and bladder.
Ask your Pharmacist for information and products designed to help you quit and see the Anti-smoking Products topic on the Healthpoint.
3) Your Pharmacist can offer advice about the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and stocks a range of low irritant skin washes, mouth-washes etc.
4) Discuss any medications you may be taking with your Pharmacist who can advise you about any potential problems or side effects.
5) If your diet is inadequate ask your Pharmacist to recommend a suitable antioxidant nutritional supplement.

DIET HINTS

The following guidelines are recommended to achieve a healthy diet. Some of these guidelines have been shown to protect against the development of certain Cancers.
- Eat a variety of nutritious foods.
- Eat plenty of wholegrain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruits. Plant foods can provide a protective effect against colon, lung, oesophageal and stomach cancers.
- Eat a diet low in fat and, in particular, low in saturated fat. A diet high in fat is associated with development of cancer of the breast and large intestine.
- Maintain a healthy bodyweight by balancing food intake and regular physical activity. Being overweight or obese places you at a greater risk of developing gall bladder, endometrial, ovarian, breast, colon, rectal and prostate cancers.
- If you drink alcohol, limit your intake.
- Eat only a moderate amount of sugars.
- Choose low-salt foods and use salt sparingly. High salt intake is associated with the development of stomach cancer.

VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS

Always consult your Doctor before taking any dietary supplements. This is particularly important during cancer therapy, as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain vitamins.
- Flavonoids such as quercetin are thought to possess cancer-fighting properties and may reduce the spread of cancer cells
- Antioxidants have been suggested to scavenge free radicals, and prevent their interactions with cellular DNA which can result in cancer. Dietary antioxidants include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, glutathione, selenium and various polyphenols and carotenoids.

ORGANISATIONS and SUPPORT GROUPS

See the Australian Cancer Society topic on the Healthpoint.

Provided by