My fights, arguments, doubts and discussions around Cancer.
No one sees Cancer. Yes, I’m being very honest and upfront about myself to say the least. But As someone who experienced it in the family, I asked, Why and how? To which no one had an answer to. I shall discuss every bit of learning I grasped, during this tryst with Cancer. And for the rest of the things, please post a question and I shall get back to you. As a layman, No one seems to know why it happens but I will discuss to the best of my knowledge and understanding.
Why and how Cancer happens?
It’s a lifestyle disease. There are no special causes for Cancer to happen- It is an uncontrollable cell growth, which is eventually damaging to the body systems.
- Genetic mutations due to some initiator like hormones, viruses, chronic inflammations, UV or carcinogens (cancer causing substances).
- In some cancers, accumulating cells form a tumour. But, not all cancers form tumour. An example would be Leukaemia.
- Environment causes it: The pollution, dirt, water contamination. No matter how rich or poor we are, but we are all living in the same air and we’ve done enough damage to it.
- Plastics: Going to a roadside vendor/ 5-star restaurant to get the food packed, PLASTIC. Why?
- Unhealthy Lifestyle: This includes unhealthy diet and minimal physical activity.
- Asbestos/ Smoking/ Tobacco: Yes, it really kills. Manufacturers claim it. I’ve seen people dying and regretting on their death beds, why did I smoke when I knew I shouldn’t? No, dear friend, you are enjoying that fag and if you’re one of those 50% unlucky people, this is an assurance of the tears of your unborn child that nobody is going to wipe.{In my family case, doctors claimed it happened due to smoking when they had never had a puff, it actually happened due to the trucks’ smoke that he was exposed to; day in and day out – weird but true}
- Any injury/ disease/ problem in your body that you’ve left unnoticed/ uncured, unfortunately, develop an irritation in the body functioning or body system. After a prolonged exposure and existence, these cells start developing as cancer cells and start growing in our body. This growth is totally unwanted and equally harmful or dangerous.
-
Exposure to different type of
chemicals and radiations.
·
Why Cancer never happened to older generations? Why so many cases of Cancer these days?
It existed all this while. Our
awareness of the disease was limited and thus, Cancer was like a black box that
nobody knew about. Yes, our sedentary and junk food lifestyle has pushed it
further ahead and thus, we see a lot many cases of cancer these days.
·
What are the treatment options?
There are three treatment
methods:
1.
Surgery
2.
Radiotherapy
3.
Chemotherapy
Any Cancer treatment is a mix and
match of these 3 or less options.
Surgery
Surgery is basically the removal of
tumour from whichever part the cancer is present in, or worst, removal of the
body part, if removing the tumour isn’t possible. Removal of body part happens
in extreme cases. There are certain cancers where surgery isn’t possible and,
sometimes, doctors recommend dosage of radio/ chemo prior to surgery to
aggregate the cancer cells in a single part.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is generally done for
non-vital organs [for additional details, kindly read the literature available
on the Internet]. It’s like a daily X-ray [dosage/ duration/ course of
treatment may vary as per your specialist]. It takes about a few minutes,
considering the cancer type/ location. The patient is subjected to radiotherapy
machine (for external radiotherapy] and subjected to rays. A radioactive
element is inserted in the body [internal radiotherapy], decided by the
consultant radiologist which works after entering the body part/ organ. This
helps in removal of “evil” cancer cells. This might also take a toll on the
good, healthy cells of the certain part. As a result of it, the body part turns
blackish [for external, its like burning the cells]/ be a subject to
infections/ causes heat in the body. Entire duration of a radiotherapy course
might last from 4-7 weeks or more.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is basically the
insertion of chemicals in our body. This kills the cancer cells as this is
carried into our body through blood. Insertion of chemicals/ chemo treatment
happens through a saline administered to the body [it takes about half an hour
generally depending upon patient]. However, it may affect the platelets and
blood in our body and may require blood transfusion/ platelets transfusion,
during the course of treatment. It might result in fatigue/ nausea, weakness,
baldness [ due to the dosage side-effects], however, the specialists take extra
care and these side-effects have been reduced by a great extent.
In worst cases, owing to
patient’s physical heath or the extents of cancer, doctor refuses to give any
of these. Please don’t try to fight/ argue, they know it the Best. For any
confusion, you may consult another specialist though. They give palliative care
[medication to restrict the further growth of cancer cells/ pain-relieving
medicines depending upon patient’s health].
There are alternative treatment
options in Ayurvedic system, Homeopathy; which I’m not aware of and hence,
would refrain from commenting upon.
Where do I go?
There are specialists and the
hospitals that treat cancer. I don’t have much faith on Multi-speciality
clinics/ hospitals, because experts know it the best. To name a few (in no
particular order), I’ve found these hospitals during my research on the
subject.
1.
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
2.
Tata Memorial Hospital, Kolkata
3.
P.D Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai
4.
American Oncology Institute, Hyderabad
·
How do I manage?
No matter what we say, it takes a huge toll on the finances of a family. There are many NGOs and help groups that support a patient’s treatment.It takes a toll on an individual’s health, but is far more, mentally draining.
·
Prevention:
1.
Stop Smoking. If you don’t; don’t even start.
2.
Avoid excessive Sun exposure.
3.
Eat a Healthy diet.
4.
Exercise most days of the week.
5.
Maintain a healthy weight.
6.
Ask your doctor about immunizations/ schedule
cancer screening exams
Kindly do not take it as an
expert advice; I’ve put down my thoughts and perceptions about the disease.
Please consult a specialist, before following any of the above stated points. Only
God knows, why you or why me. Fight it like a braveheart and come out of it,
winning the battle.
Cancer is Curable, if detected early.
May God bless us, Amen!!
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