The 21st century has seen a lot of changes in the world, from man going into the space to fossil discoveries dating back to B.C! Science has pushed the limits of everything, yet there are some puzzles which even science has not been able to decipher. Cancer still remains amongst one of the modern world’s unsolved mysteries! World over, 4th of February is observed as World Cancer Day to serve as a stark reminder of one of human kind’s silent killer, Cancer.
While science is yet to find a complete cure for Cancer, we ourselves are to blame too! Awareness regarding Cancer is very low in India, a nation which has some of the highest incidents of Oral and lower pharynx cancers, due to excessive tobacco consumption. Lack of detection is one of the major causes for high cancer mortality rates in India. Having knowledge about the symptoms becomes necessary as it helps in early detection and thereby reduces the chances of death.
Following is the list of some of the most commonly occurring cancers in India and their symptoms:
Prostate Cancer:
A prostate cancer usually occurs in men above 60, when there is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells in the prostate, a gland situated below the bladder. These cancerous cells then spread to other parts of the body mainly the bones and the lymph nodes. In most of the cases, Prostate cancer goes unnoticed as it is characterized by a very slow growth and the early stages of the cancer are relatively symptom free. Owing to the age group of men affected by it and the lack of symptoms that in its early stage, most men in India suffering from the cancer, remain unaware of it till it reaches the advanced stage!
Symptoms:
Weak or uninterrupted flow of urine
A need to urinate frequently, especially during the night
Experiencing difficulty when starting the urine stream
Experiencing a painful or a burning sensation when urinating
Blood in the Urine
Experiencing a deep pain in the lower belly, upper thighs and the hips
Breast Cancer:
Breast Cancer is one of the leading cancers occurring in Indian women, with an estimated 50,000-70,000 women dying from it every year! Life style and dietary changes are the leading factors causing breast cancer in India. It originates in a female’s breast tissues usually in the ducts and the lobules of either one or both breasts. Mammography or clinical breast exam are used to diagnose breast cancer, however one can even self diagnose it by following a correct method. 90% of breast cancers are detected and cured as they are diagnosed in the early stages.
Symptoms:
A painless lump in the breast or thickening of the breast or the underarm
Dimpling of the breast skin or change in the size and shape of the breast
Nipples turning inwards, the skin around it will look scaly
Blood or clear fluid coming out from the nipple
Oral/ Mouth Cancer:
Oral or Mouth Cancer accounts for up to 40% of all Cancer cases in India! It occurs due to the excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol, smoking and chewing of the betel leaf (Paan) which contains large quantities of mineral lime (Chuna) and the Areca nut. Oral cancer, a subtype of head and neck cancers, occurs when there is an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of any cancerous tissue in the oral cavity. This cancer begins in the squamous cells which cover the tongue, lips and the floor of the mouth with the cancerous cells spread to the lymphatic system. Men are affected as twice as much as women by Oral Cancer!
Symptoms:
Appearance of skin lesions, swellings, bumps or eroded skin on the lips, tongue or any other area of the mouth
Velvety white, red or white-red patches in the mouth are early indicators of Oral Cancer
Sores on your lip or the mouth that don’t heal within 2 weeks
An unexplained bleeding in the mouth
Experiencing difficulty or pain when trying to move your jaw, swallowing and chewing.
Unexplained numbness or loss of sensation in any part of the mouth
Feeling like something is caught in the back of the throat
Ear Ache To read more aboutEarly Detection helps Fight Cancer!
