Interesting Facts About Cancer That’ll Blow Your Mind - CancerMitr
Cancer is a word that reverberates through our lives, often accompanied by a flurry of emotions and curiosity. We encounter it in news articles detailing groundbreaking scientific advancements, inspiring survivor stories, and sobering statistics. Many of us have a family member or friend who has faced this formidable disease, making it a deeply personal topic for a lot of people. But what exactly is cancer, and what does the term truly signify? Bookmark this article to learn more about this disease.
What does the word "cancer" mean?
Cancer is a condition marked by abnormal cell division that leads to the formation of tumours, which can invade other organs and spread to other parts of the body. The term “cancer” traces back to Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine,’ who used the words “carcinos” and “carcinoma” to describe tumours. The name, reminiscent of the zodiac sign, refers to a crab, inspired by the tumour’s finger-like projections resembling a crab’s shape. These projections indicate the malignant nature of cancer, as it forms its own blood vessels and spreads to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, blood vessels, or organs. Additionally, the Greek physician Galen contributed the term “onco,” meaning swelling, to describe tumours.
Where was the first cancer case discovered?
Cancer is a condition where a portion of the human body cells turn hostile and spread to other body parts. As a disease, it has probably existed since the beginning of humanity itself. However, the first recorded case of cancer was discovered in Egypt. It was documented in hieroglyphics and papyrus and dated as far back as 5000 years. The papyrus mentioned a cancerous breast tumour that was treated with a hot instrument called a fire drill. The fire drill is used in modern-day treatment, called cauterization, where part of a body is burned to remove or close off a part of it.
What were the later developments in the study and treatment of cancer?
In 1761, the Italian anatomist Giovanni Morgagni of Padua, also known as the father of modern anatomical pathology, delved deep into the nature of deaths and illness by conducting autopsies. As a result, he laid the foundation for scientific oncology, which is known as the study of cancer.
Scottish surgeon John Hunter, in the later 1700s, discovered that cancer could be cured through surgery. A century later, the development of anaesthesia helped the scope of surgery flourish. Rudolf Virchow, also regarded as the founder of cellular pathology, highlighted the importance of the cellular study of cancerous tumours to understand the disease better.
What are the interesting facts about cancer?
- Cancer is an umbrella term used to describe hundreds of diseases. There are around 250 different forms of cancer in the human body. They are categorised based on their location and the type of cell from which they originated. They are primarily divided into five; carcinomas (epithelial cells), sarcoma (bone or soft tissue), lymphoma & myeloma (immune system), leukaemia (white blood cells and bone marrow), and brain & spinal cord cancers.
- 50% of all reported cancers are preventable. It is possible through vaccinations, safe sex habits, a balanced diet and nutrition, maintaining a healthy BMI (body mass index), daily exercise, and a lifestyle that excludes tobacco and excess alcohol consumption. Quitting tobacco habits prevents 30% of all reported cancers, notably lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Until a few decades ago, blood cancer was the deadliest because, unlike other cancers which can be isolated and surgically removed, it entered the bloodstream and spread to other body parts. As a result, finding a treatment for the condition proved difficult. However, thanks to advances such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, blood cancer is now one of the easiest to treat with a high prognosis.
- Childhood cancers account for 1% of all reported cancers worldwide, but it is the leading cause of death among children.
- Chemotherapy drugs that are used today originated from a World War I weapon named mustard gas. Scientists later found out that this gas killed blood cancer cells in mice. So, they developed refined drugs that can kill the cancerous cells faster than the normal cells.
- Skin cancer is the most commonly reported cancer in the United States and one of India’s least reported cancerous tumours. Lack of melanin also makes a Caucasian’s skin more vulnerable to UV damage and cancer. This is because more people in the United States engage in indoor tanning, which exposes their skin to ultraviolet rays for longer periods.
- Three of the most reported cancers in India are lung, oral cavity and breast. This is because more people in the country consume tobacco products.
- Pancreatic cancer is known as the “silent killer” because the symptoms don’t show up until the later stages. However, researchers from the Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences pointed out two of it’s early symptoms; frequent thirst and darker urine.
- World’s smallest cancer has been recorded by a team of dermatologists from the OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University). It was a melanoma (skin cancer) which measured 0.65 millimetres or 0.025 inches, located under a woman’s eye. The Guinness World Record has felicitated dermatologists for detecting ‘Smallest Detected Skin Cancer.’
- Cancer is not a contagious disease. It doesn’t spread from one individual to another through food, water, touch, or other organisms.
- Breast cancer is more common in the left breast than in the right breast. However, the reason behind this is not known.
- The largest number of cancer cases were recorded after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, especially thyroid cancer due to exposure to radioactive iodine.
- Human body cells tend to undergo abnormal cell division, but the immune system is strong and vigilant enough to neutralise them all. It is possible that your immune system is neutralising at least 100-200 cancerous or non-cancerous cells in your body while you are reading this. A balanced diet and nutrition ensure the strength of the immune system.
- Cancerous cells cannot be detected through any means until and unless the number reaches millions or billions.
- Certain cancers, such as testicular or ovarian (germ cell tumour), can be detected through pregnancy detection kits. If the stick turns positive after a man pees on it, then it implies that he has cancer. However, it is important to note that this is not a reliable method, and people should undergo conventional screening processes like imaging tests (CT scan, PET scan, MRI) or blood tests to detect cancer.
- The low blood sugar level in cancer-affected individuals decreases it’s ability to survive.
- The presence of cancer in an individual also indicates that he or she suffers from certain nutrient deficiencies.
- The fear of cancer is known as carcinophobia. Some of the symptoms of carcinophobia include sweatiness, dizziness, shivering, nausea, feeling hot, muscle tension, and body stiffness.
Cancer and benign tumours can disappear by themselves, a phenomenon called spontaneous remission or spontaneous regression. It is often dubbed as a “medical miracle” because it happens in very rare instances.
In conclusion,
It is a universally known fact that cancer’s severity depends on the tumour’s growth, spread and grade (which measures how similar it is to normal cells). So, only early detection can ensure a 92-100% chance of survival. If caught early, the disease can be completely cured. People should undergo routine testing and screening for cancer. If possible, secure health insurance to cover the cancer treatment cost.