All cells in the body keep multiplying throughout life. Normal cells multiply under control.

Cancer cells lose this control and start multiplying more than required.

These cells can damage the organ where the cell multiplication is occurring and can also spread to other sites.

Certainly not! Cancer is a non-communicable disease, which does not spread from one person.to another.

It occurs due to some changes in the cells due to which the cell multiplication.becomes uncontrolled. Certain cancers may have a hereditary causation which means a person may be at higher risk of getting cancer if his/ her relatives have had that particular cancer. These cancers are breast, ovarian, colorectal, and other less common cancers.

As Cancer grows, it invades the surrounding structures and causes damage. It spreads to the draining lymph nodes. Through the blood stream it spreads to the other parts of the body like lung, liver, bones, brain etc.

Exact cause of cancer is not yet known. However, there are certain risk factors, which may lead to cancer. Among the common factors Tobacco is an important factor. Nearly half of the cancers in India are due to tobacco.

Some common Risk factors for Cancer:

• Tobacco:

  • Smoking: Cigarette, Bidi, Cigar, Hukkah, others

  • Smokeless: Zarda, Gutka, Khaini, Snuff, etc.

• Alcohol

• Infections (viruses, parasites, bacteria)

• Diet (dietary carcinogens)

• Reproductive hormones

Cancer is a disease of body cells. One's mental condition has no direct effect on the course of the disease since this malignant change is apparently due to physical process. But positive attitudes, fighting spirits and healthy thinking helps you to cope with cancer better. So, it has an indirect bearing on response to cancer treatment.

Tumours can be benign (not a cancer) or malignant (a cancer). Benign tumours do not invade other tissues or spread to other parts of the body, although they can expand to interfere with other organs. The main features of a malignant tumour (cancer) are its ability to grow in an uncontrolled way and to invade and spread to other parts of the body.

The original site in which a cancerous tumour is formed is referred to as the primary site. The spread of cancerous cells from the primary site to another (i.e., secondary) site is referred to as metastasis.

Common symptoms of cancer are:

• Lump or swelling

• A sore that doesn’t heal

• Recent change in a wart/mole

• Unusual bleeding or discharge

• Changes in bladder or bowel habits

• Nagging cough or hoarseness

• Difficulty in swallowing or dyspepsia

Stool streaked with bright blood or the occurrence of black or "tarry" stools should lead to prompt and thorough investigation. The assumption that rectal bleeding is merely due to haemorrhoids, or piles, is most dangerous, since such bleeding may be due to multiple causes, including cancer.

It may, but it may also be caused by conditions other than cancer. A careful examination is essential to rule out cancer.

There is no known relation between the status of one's health and the development of cancer. Poor genital hygiene and poor oral hygiene may be contributory factor in cancer causation.

There is no substitute to good clinical examination. Ultrasound, X-Rays, CT scan, MRI & Mammography are some of diagnostic imaging tools. Various blood tests (PSA, AFP) and endoscopic procedures are also available to clinch the diagnosis. Cytology (FNAC) or Biopsy of lesion is desirable before starting any treatment.

Check the other breast. Some lumpiness is normal. However, if the lump is new or unusual, it warrants examination by a physician. A lump found during a breast self-exam, a clinical breast exam or a mammogram does not necessarily mean that a woman has breast cancer. Although nearly 80 percent of all breast lumps are noncancerous (benign). However, cancer is a possibility. Early detection and treatment provide the best outcome, so a woman shouldn’t let fear stop her from seeing a physician.

Most precancerous conditions of the cervix could be detected and treated before cancer develops if all women had pelvic exams and Pap tests regularly. This way, most invasive cancers could be prevented. Any invasive cancer that does occur would likely be found at an early, curable stage.

Yes, Cancer can be cured if detected early and treated promptly. Unfortunately, in India, about 70% patients present in advanced stage diseases, which have poor chances of survival.