Cancer is a collective term for a wide variety of malignant diseases that can affect virtually all human organs. In Germany, colorectal cancer as well as lung cancer are particularly common – along with breast cancer as the most common cancer in women and prostate cancer as the most common cancer in men. In the human body, new cells are constantly being created and old, diseased or broken cells are broken down or die. In the process, different body cells age differently: red blood cells approximately 4 months, a hair several years and the age of nerve cells corresponds to the age of life – which is why nerve damage is so dramatic.
Causes: How does cancer develop?
Cancer means that a cell breaks out of this structure and forms a new cluster of cells in an uncontrolled way. Often, a mutation at the genetic level is responsible for this process. The control mechanisms that stimulate or inhibit cell growth are also influenced by many carcinogenic factors. These include infectious agents such as papilloma or hepatitis viruses or Helicobacter, addictive substances such as alcohol and nicotine, unprotected sunlight, but also free radicals and food components such as acrylamide, which is produced during barbecuing, or toiletries such as deodorants containing paraben. Diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are also associated with an increased risk of cancer. In connection with cancer, the terms polyp, adenoma and carcinoma are often used to describe different tissue structures. In women, breast cancer is both the most common cancer and the cancer that kills most women – in men, prostate cancer is the most common, but lung cancer is more deadly. Each state’s cancer registries keep accurate records of which cancer occurs how often per year and how many people die from it.
First symptoms of cancer
Unfortunately, many cancers do not cause any symptoms or discomfort for a long time, so only consistent cancer screening helps to track down the malignant diseases. Many cancers damage the immune system – for example, in leukemias, the functioning immune cells in the bone marrow are displaced – so fatigue, infections and an increased tendency to get sick can be the first symptoms in cancer. Itchy, easily bleeding skin changes can be actinic keratoses and thus a precursor of skin cancer. Elevated liver values must also be investigated – because some chronic liver inflammations promote liver cancer. In the gastrointestinal tract, colon cancer sometimes manifests late with intestinal obstruction and does not cause symptoms beforehand.
- Anamnesis (inquire about medical history): by asking specific questions, it is sometimes possible to determine more precisely since when a cancer has been present. Thus, in colorectal cancer is often found a change in stool behavior (more flatulence, smaller stool portions).
- Inspection (looking at), percussion (tapping) and auscultation (listening): moles may be altered enough for an experienced physician to see if they are suspicious of skin cancer. Lung cancer, on the other hand, can constrict the bronchial tubes in such a way that the breathing sound changes.
- Examination of cells or tissue samples: Most important in suspected cancer is the work of pathologists, because they examine the suspicious tissue samples. In leukemias, the disease is reflected in an altered blood composition, at all body fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid and urine and stool must be examined very closely. Blood admixtures in urine or stool are always suspicious of cancer until proven otherwise!
- Hormone tests: In addition, there are so-called tumor markers, which are body substances produced by cancer. So you can determine in the course of a disease, whether new foci are formed – in prostate cancer, the PSA test is such a procedure.
- X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): the imaging methods play a special role in suspected cancer, because they can be used to determine the extent of the tumor. Mammography plays a key role in breast cancer diagnostics. Recently, there is also a digital variant there, which comes with less radiation exposure.
- Endoscopy: As unpleasant as the endoscopic methods are for the affected person, they are often unbeatable in the early detection of cancer. The novel zoom endoscopy is an improved variant.All examinations together reveal how malignant the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread in the body. This classification is called staging. Depending on the staging classification, the therapy for the affected person is determined.
Types of cancer per gender
In women, breast cancer, in men prostate cancer leads the frequency statistics. Then follow in both sexes colorectal cancer and lung cancer. But cancer can actually affect any organ. In women, the uterus or ovaries are often affected in addition to the breast, while skin cancer or leukemia are less common. In men, bladder cancer, stomach cancer and kidney cancer are more common than testicular cancer or thyroid cancer. In skin cancer, actinic keratosis is distinguished from basal cell carcinoma, spinalioma or melanoma. Liver cancer is fortunately a very rare cancer. The malignancy of cancer also depends on how quickly daughter tumors (metastases) form and how sensitive the cancer is to available treatment options.
Prevention: how can I take precautions?
Avoiding cancer-causing factors and early detection of cancer are the two pillars of cancer prevention. Avoidance means doing without – and doing without is often difficult for us. But if you realize that not only nicotine but also other substances in smoking are carcinogenic, that passive smoking is also very harmful, and that in addition to lung cancer, smoking also promotes tumors of the oral cavity, esophagus and stomach – perhaps it will be easier. Sunbathing is balm for the soul and with the right sunscreen – tailored to the skin type and suitable for children’s skin – beneficial to health. A visit to the solarium, on the other hand, should be well considered. Studies show that a diet rich in vitamins and fiber, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, helps prevent cancer. There are many cancer-preventing substances such as green tea or parsley – vitamin D also seems to help more with cancer than previously thought. In Germany, many preventive examinations are paid for by health insurance companies – whether skin, breast, prostate or colon: early detection can save lives. The offer is constantly being reviewed and increased – for example, nationwide mammography screening is currently being introduced and zoom endoscopy is being tested as an extension of colonoscopy.
Treatment: forms of therapy for cancer
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are important methods used to fight cancer. The drugs used in chemotherapy are called cytostatics, and they can destroy bone marrow in such a way that a stem cell donation is needed afterward. The smallest instruments from micromedicine make it possible to operate gently – which benefits a cancer patient’s compromised health. Psychoneuroimmunology deals with the self-healing powers of the individual and is also used in cancer therapy. The Cancer Compass helps cancer patients find the right clinic for them, and in the Tumor Bank PA.T.H. you can store your tumor tissue after an operation. In addition, accompanying symptoms such as exhaustion (fatigue), pain and nutritional problems must be treated. Pain therapy may include opioids or, since a few years, cannabis, and should be individualized. If the cancer progresses and no cure is possible, palliative care and hospices can relieve suffering.
