Understanding Cancer: Stages, Symptoms, and Risk Factors

Steps to Make a Decision

1. Sensation: Reconnaissance of dissatisfaction
2. Decision to change: To bring in the vacuum or Moonrace
3. Implementation: To implement the decision

Steps for Making a Decision

1. Identify the problem
2. Acknowledge the problem
3. Set parameters
4. Consider alternatives
5. Make the decision
6. Evaluate the results

Understanding Cancer

Cancer is a set of diseases in which the body produces an excess of malignant cells (known as carcinogens, or cancer).

Benign vs. Malignant Tumors

A benign tumor or malignancy is an alteration of cells that causes uncontrolled growth of these. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor.

Cancer Classification

• Stage 0 or Carcinoma in Situ: The cancer is in its initial stage, only present in the inner lining of the bladder, and is very superficial.
• Stage I: The tumor has spread through the lining of the bladder but has not affected the muscle wall.
• Stage II: Bladder muscles are affected by cancer.
• Stage III: Cancer has spread to the muscular wall of the bladder, the surrounding tissue, and even the nearby reproductive organs. The doctor can feel a swelling after tumor removal.
• Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to the abdominal wall or to lymph nodes in the area. They may have also spread to other more remote areas of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Signs and symptoms depend on the location, type, and severity of the disease. Every cancer has its own set of symptoms. Possible signs of cancer include:

• Changes or warts and abnormal-looking moles
• A non-healing wound
• Persistent cough
• Obvious changes in bladder and bowel habits
• Thickening or lump in any part of the body
• Blood in the urine without pain when urinating, blood in stool
• Excessive fatigue
• Persistent slight fever

Risk Factors for Cancer

Risk factors are the circumstances that increase the likelihood of illness. These include age, gender, personal history, family history, and the environment. Each cancer has different risk factors, some include:

• Lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, esophagus, and pancreas cancers are closely related to the use of snuff. Smoking is the third leading cause of all cancers.
• Skin cancer is associated with extensive exposure to sunlight.
• For breast cancer: age, changes in hormone levels, number of pregnancies, obesity, and physical activity.