How to Know If You Have Cancer

What is Cancer

Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells begin to divide uncontrollably. Cancerous cells may spread throughout the body if not treated early enough. There are many different types of cancers including breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer, thyroid cancer, etc.

The causes of cancer are unknown and likely vary between people. However, some risk factors have been identified. These include genetics, lifestyle choices, environmental conditions, and exposure to harmful chemicals.

There are two categories of cancer treatment: surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery removes cancerous tumors and surrounding parts of the body. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells. Both treatments can cause side effects. For best cancer treatment you have to select best cancer hospital.

Symptoms of Cancer

For a better understanding of ways to know cancer. You also have to know about symptoms of cancer.

1. Weight Loss : Weight loss often occurs in people who have cancer. Cancer cells eat more than normal cells do, causing them to lose weight even if they don't appear sick.

2. Fatigue: Fatigue is a side effect of many types of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy

3. Nausea: Nausea is a feeling of sickness or unease in the stomach. Sometimes, nausea comes before vomiting starts.

4. Vomiting: Vomiting is throwing up. When someone vomits, food moves back down the esophagus into the stomach.

5. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is frequent loose stools. Most people get diarrhea once or twice a year.

6. Constipation: Constipation is infrequent hard stools. Hard stools move slower than soft ones, take longer to pass, and stay in the rectum longer.

7. Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain may occur when the lining of the abdominal cavity becomes inflamed. Inflammation can affect different parts of the body.

Ways to know Cancer

1. Get a Pap smear

The first step to knowing if you have cancer is getting a pap smear. A pap smear is essentially a test where they look at cells taken from your cervix (the opening of your uterus) and check it for any abnormalities. If you do not have regular pap smears done, then it would be best to get them yearly. There are many reasons why you should get a pap smear done and some people even require it after their first child.

2. Breast exam

If you notice lumps in your breast or nipple area, go to your doctor right away to make sure it is nothing serious. You may want to schedule a mammogram once per year starting at age 40.

3. Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a test where doctors take a scope down your digestive tract to look for polyps or tumors. Polyps are non-cancerous growths that develop on the inner lining of your colon and can appear as small bumps or protrusions. Tumors are abnormal growths that can occur on the inner wall of your colon.

4. Endometrial biopsy

Endometrial biopsies are performed to diagnose endometrial carcinoma. Doctors remove a sample of tissue from your endometrium (lining of your uterus). These samples are sent to a lab to determine whether or not you have cancer.

5. Bone scan

Bone scans are used to detect bone metastases, which are cancers that spread to the bones. Cancer cells break away from primary tumors and enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, these cells travel to distant organs, including the bones. By using a special camera, doctors can locate and identify these cells in the body.

6. CT Scan

CT Scans use X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. CT scans help doctors find problems such as fluid buildup around the lungs, tumors, blood clots, cysts, and infections.

7. MRI

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of structures deep within the body without surgery or radiation. Doctors use MRIs to view internal organs, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, fat, and soft tissue.