Cancer Symptoms which should not be ignored

What is Cancer and how many types of cancer are there?

Cancer, also called malignancy, is an abnormal growth of cells. There are more than 100 types of cancer, including breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. Symptoms vary depending on the type. Cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.

How Is Cancer Diagnosed?

The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of its being cured. Some types of cancer -- such as those of the skin, breast, mouth, testicles, prostate, and rectum -- may be detected by routine self-exam or other screening measures before the symptoms become serious. Most cases of cancer are detected and diagnosed after a tumor can be felt or when other symptoms develop. In a few cases, cancer is diagnosed incidentally as a result of evaluating or treating other medical conditions.

Cancer diagnosis begins with a thorough physical exam and a complete medical history. Laboratory studies of blood, urine, and stool can detect abnormalities that may indicate cancer. 

When a tumor is suspected, imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and fiber-optic endoscopy examinations help doctors determine the cancer's location and size. 

To confirm the diagnosis of most cancers , a biopsy needs to be performed in which a tissue sample is removed from the suspected tumor and studied under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/ 

What are the causes of cancer?

Cancer is a genetic disease—that is, it is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.

Genetic changes that cause cancer can be inherited from our parents. They can also arise during a person’s lifetime as a result of errors that occur as cells divide or because of damage to DNA caused by certain environmental exposures. Cancer-causing environmental exposures include substances, such as the chemicals in tobacco smoke, and radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun. (Our Cancer Causes and Risk Factors page has more information.)

Each person’s cancer has a unique combination of genetic changes. As the cancer continues to grow, additional changes will occur. Even within the same tumor, different cells may have different genetic changes.

In general, cancer cells have more genetic changes, such as mutations in DNA, than normal cells. Some of these changes may have nothing to do with the cancer; they may be the result of the cancer, rather than its cause.

Source:http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/what-is-cancer

What are the symptoms of Cancer which should not be ignored?

Cancer is one of the scariest afflictions of the 21st-century. Different kinds of cancer can target different parts of the body for numerous reasons. Quite often the symptoms are ignored because people don’t believe it can be the cause or are too afraid to find out that it is. Oncologists agree that early identification can save your life. If you are experiencing any of these 10 symptoms, you may want to visit your family physician and get tested.

1. A Change in the Appearance of a Mole

Moles can be a clear indicator of skin cancer. The sudden appearance of a mole, or change in shape/color/texture may all be signs of skin cancer. Contact a dermatologist as soon as possible in such a case.

2. A Persistent Change in Bowel Movements

A sudden and persistent change in bowel habits can be your warning sign of cancer. A difficulty in defecating may indicate that there is a mass blocking the bowels. A change in the color and/or consistency may also indicate a cancerous growth. Black or bloody stool should be reported to your physician immediately, and wise with thin or ribbon- stool. White/pale/grey stool may not indicate cancer but can still be a sign of a serious health risk and should be reported to your doctor.

 3. A persistent Change in Bladder Movements

Are you experiencing difficulty urinating or the appearance of blood in your urine? These can indicate prostate, kidney or bladder cancer, and it is highly recommended that you contact your physician.

4. A Persistent & Unexplained Pain

Random and infrequent pains are generally not an indication of Cancer, but a constant or persistently reoccurring pain may be the first telltale sign of cancer. Persistent abdomen pain can be a sign of ovarian cancer. Pain in the chest can indicate lung cancer and in some cases, reoccurring or constant headaches may serve as the first warning sign of brain or ocular cancer.

5. Persistent Hoarseness or Cough

A cough signals a disturbance or obstruction in your airways, but constant, painful and/or bloody coughing should be reported to a doctor. A constant cough can be your first warning for lung cancer, or potentially other respiratory problems that even if they’re not cancerous – may be dangerous none-the-less.

6. A Sudden Loss of Weight

Adults tend to have a harder time losing weight, so if you suddenly start losing weight even if not trying to, it should serve as a red flag. Don’t treat it as a “gift”, as tumors can often cause sudden weight loss.

7. A Persistent Difficulty Swallowing

We swallow food from the moment we’re born, it is one of our most natural instincts. However, neck or esophagus cancer can cause a persistent trouble in swallowing. Regardless of the risks of cancer, difficulty swallowing is a health risk on its own, so please contact your family physician.

8. An Unexplained Lump

If you noticed a new lump somewhere in your body, no matter the size, you’ll want to have it checked. Lumps in your breasts can indicate breast cancer (in rare cases also in men), and testicular or prostate cancer may cause lumps in your testicles.

9. Persistent Unexpected Bleeding

Bleeding from the rectum can be an indication of colon cancer and vaginal bleeding outside of the normal cycle can often indicate cervical cancer. Remember that if you are experiencing bleeding without an open wound – it is a cause for concern.

10. A Sore that Doesn’t Heal

Ever since you were a child, your body would heal any wounds you experienced. If you experience a wound that takes longer than three weeks to heal, it is not a normal thing and may be indicative of carcinoma, so have it checked without delay.

UNSPOKEN COUNTRY RULES THAT EVERY TOURIST SHOULD KNOW

Japan

Don’t tip anyone: “Tipping is just not part of the culture. Don’t even leave the small change. People will come running after you with it.”

Don’t wear your shoes in someone’s house: “If you see other people taking their shoes off, do the same. (Note: there’s a small area right inside  the entrance called a ‘genkan’ which is usually one level below the rest of the house, where you take off your shoes. You don’t take them off outside the house!)”

 

Don’t hug people you just met: “Most people don’t like it, especially older folk.”

Don’t stand on the wrong side of the escalator: “In Tokyo you stand on the left. In Osaka you stand on the right. Follow what other people are doing.”

Germany

Don’t do the Nazi salute: “Not even in jest. It’s a crime and every year there are tourists arrested for it. Also don’t carry any Nazi symbols on you.”

 

Don’t stare: “You’d appear either uneducated or mentally ill.”

Don’t be overly friendly: “Germans like to gradually warm up to people and take time to really get to know them before acting like BFFs.”

Don’t wish someone a happy birthday before the actual day: “The origin is a superstition that something bad will happen to them (they might die) before their birthday if you do, however this rule is not limited to superstitious people. Even bright, rational Germans will feel uncomfortable because it’s just not done.”

Norway

Don’t stare at naked people: “People are pretty relaxed about nudity, and both men and women will for example change on public beaches without any attempt at covering themselves up. You are however expected to look away.”

Don’t unwrap flowers before you give them as a gift: “Germans do this.”

Don’t ask people about church: “Most attend none, and asking this is seen as intrusive, rude and downright weird.”

Don’t expect special treatment: “People are very informal here and being on a first-name-basis with anyone short of the King is the norm.  Even the prime-minister of Norway is most often referred to by first name.”
  
Russia

Don’t give an even number of flowers as a gift: “That’s for dead folks. Proper bouquet will have 1/3/5/7 flowers.”

Don’t rely on a credit card: “There are lots of places which only accept cash.”

Don’t assume the people support everything the government does: “Quite often we don’t. Don’t criticize our government. We do it a lot by ourselves, we don’t need your help in that.”

Singapore

You can get fined for a lot of things in Singapore, including: feeding the birds, spitting, urinating in public, smoking in public,  having your pet in public, eating or drinking on public transportation, and littering, among other things.

Kenya

Don’t disrespect religion: “Almost everyone you meet is religious; religion here is always in fashion, so if someone asks you if you are religious, don’t take offense because it is common for everyone to follow a religion, and around 80% of the population are Christians.”

Don’t be impatient: “Hardly anything runs on time, with an exception of a couple of business meetings and bank closing hours and most other businesses. Everything runs late, don’t get pissed off or impatient, learn to go with the flow, things will happen, just not on time.”

Don’t talk about sex in mixed company: “It is wrong and is frowned upon and people might not want to be in your company after that.”

Don’t call someone by their first name: “Miss, Mrs, Mr., Dr. and Engineer so and so (mostly the surname) are totally accepted.  If you want to call someone whose name you don’t know, refer to them as madam or sir. You get quite a lot of bonus points for that. Only refer to someone by their first name if they introduce themselves as such.”

New Zealand

Don’t confuse New Zealanders with Aussies: “We don’t like it!”

Don’t expect to see Kiwi birds: “They are almost extinct. Irony!

”

Don’t make fun of rugby, Lord of the Rings, or the Queen of England: “All Blacks is a rugby team and probably a religion.  Haka is a war-cry performed before a war or, nowadays, a rugby match. Do not make fun of it!” “Kiwis are proud of Lord Of the Rings!”“The Queen of England is still a big deal here! We still celebrate her birthday and swear allegiance to her.”

Don’t freak out about people not wearing shoes: “It’s perfectly normal to go about in public places without footwear, and in some cases a shirt. You will still be served.”

Turkey

Don’t make the okay sign with your thumb and forefinger: This is considered obscene in Turkey.

Lay off the alcohol: Turks don’t drink much — maybe an occasional glass of wine every once in a while — and being drunk is considered a disgrace.

Don’t blow your nose or pick your teeth in public: Turks consider both of these impolite when done at a restaurant, cafe, or bar.
  
India

Don’t kiss in public: “In some jurisdictions this can get you into jail under ‘public obscenity’ (a lot of our laws are stuck in the Victorian era).”

Don’t make physical contact with the opposite sex: “Hugging and handshakes are still frowned upon in most parts of the country among members of opposite sex.  Unless the local offers to hug or handshake, don’t.”

France

Don’t expect a huge amount of vegan options: “Notify people you visit and be careful in which restaurants you go. Very few people are vegan in France   compared to some other countries, and although the situation is slowly improving, the awareness and acceptance of it are still quite poor.     Some older people especially can consider it a ‘weird’ or even radical behavior.”

Don’t talk about money: “For example, you can tell you quit a job because you were underpaid, but you should not mention how much exactly. There are old taboos about speaking of money in the French culture, many people consider it a ‘dirty’ topic.”

Don’t expect people to speak English: “The French educational system is bad at teaching foreign languages, with an excessive focus on reading and   writing compared to conversational skills. Many older people will only know a bit of bad and heavily accented English and/or possibly German or Spanish.”

Mexico

Don’t patronize people: “We’re a developing country and we’re aware that some stuff is just backwards over here. Don’t ever imply that you are ‘better’ than anyone, especially if that hinges on you being a foreigner.”

Don’t be easily offended: “We have a huge sense of humor as a culture. Nothing is out of bounds for us! We’ll mock, ridicule, insult,  pick on and put down just for the fun of it, on a regular basis!”

Don’t be afraid to try everything: “We love it when you try to say that ridiculously difficult word in Spanish, and you’ll be met with  proud cheers if you brave a bite out of that horrifyingly spicy pepper, or down that shot of tequila.”

United Kingdom

Don’t cut in line: “Queue jump — this is the only crime that the population would consider bringing back capital punishment for.”

Don’t ask how much money someone makes: “Instead play a curious guessing game by asking someone what they do, where they live,  where they went on holiday, and figure it out by correlating this with their accent.”

Don’t invite someone to your home: “Unless you know them very very well.”

Ireland

Don’t say “Top of the morning to you”: “I don’t know how this phrase became associated with Irish people, perhaps it was used in the distant past. But it’s not now, and it’s just really irritating.”

Don’t attempt an Irish accent: “To us there is no Irish accent; there are Cork accents, Dublin accents, Kerry accents etc. For us an accent contains reams  of unspoken information about a person (Urban/Rural, social status) aside from the local information.”

Don’t be cheap: “The classic is in a rounds situation at a pub. If someone is offering to buy the first round, it is perfectly acceptable to say  ‘Oh I’m on a budget, I’ll get my own.’ It is not ok to join the round and then not pay for one.”

Don’t call the UK the mainland: “As far as we’re concerned, France is the mainland.”

Amazing Facts

These random facts will make you think twice about a couple of things - and some will certainly be tough to believe.  Whatever your take may be, these 10 facts will surely surprise you!

According to studies conducted in 2009, the average woman consumes up to 7 pounds of lipstick in their lifetime. It may also surprise you to discover that fish scales are a common lipstick ingredient. With that said, there are many more surprising ingredients hiding in your lipstick, so be sure to check out what it is exactly made of.

This habit may seem a perfectly innocuous activity for calorie-counters and dieters. It is also interesting to note that British and larger than normal stamps contain 'more calories'. It has been found that the calorie content in the adhesive on the back of a US postage stamp works out to be about one-tenth of a calorie. On the other hand, British stamps contain about 5.9 calories per lick, while the adhesive on a larger commemorative or special British stamp contains a whopping 14.5 calories.

The United States and Russia are surprisingly close. The two islands, Little Diomede in the US and Big Diomede in Russia, are only 2.5 miles apart. Here's another interesting fact connecting the two islands together, a limbless man, Phillippe Croizon swam from US to Russia in 5 hours.

This fact may be shocking to read, but in the US alone, there are 40,000 toilet-related injuries each year. All are caused due to a variety of reasons, but this is certainly warning us to be more careful!

Studies have also discovered that women have a better sense of smell than men. It has also been found that older individuals tend to have a better sense of smell than younger persons.

While the average American may consume 800 grams of chewing gum each year - 50 percent of the gum is spat out on sidewalks, park benches or left under the seats in public transport.

Having been one of the fastest growing fast-food producer in the world, company estimates indicate that one out of every eight Americans is employed, or has been employed, by McDonald's.

Pure honey has no expiration date! Believe it or not, if kept in dry conditions and closed well, it could keep for thousands of years.

If you're a chocolate lover, you may find this fact a little disturbing. The process of fermenting the cocoa happens when the cocoa is put in the earth and is covered with leaves. During this fermentation process, a lot of insects are present. This fermentation process is allowed by the FDA.

As strange as this fact may seem, lemon consists of  70 percent more sugar and 30 percent more citric acid than strawberries, which contain 40 percent. It's surprising how deceiving taste can actually be! Source of text and pictures: BabaMail.Com