What is cancer?
Cancer can be in many different forms, they form from cells which have grown and divided into abnormal cells and from cells which have not died when they should do. These then create growths or tumours which can be non-cancerous. Cancerous tumours can either be Benign or Malignant. What are the different types of cancer?
Benign tumours: These forms of tumours are not cancerous. They are often removed and they do not spread to other parts of the body. THEY ARE NOT A THREAT TO LIFE.
Malignant tumours: These are cancer. Cells in malignant tumours are abnormal cells which divide without control, They destroy other healthy cells and spread throughout the body through the Lymphatic system. The lymphatic system carries lymph and white blood cells through lymphatic vessels to all the tissues of the body. By moving through the lymphatic system, cancer can spread from the primary cancer site to form new tumours in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. What causes cancer?
Cancer is caused by a multitude of reasons, from lifestyle to genetics. Your lifestyle can affect the cancer of developing cancer for reasons such as, exposure to the sun, diet, weight, prescription drugs and tobacco intake. Whereas with genetics, cancer can be inherited if it runs in the family, but this does not automatically mean that you will defiantly develop cancer as it can miss generations, it just means that the chance of developing it is increased in comparison to the average person. Cancer cannot be caught off someone by sharing food or sneezing for example. Can cancer be prevented?
At present there is no miracle drug or way to prevent developing cancer; there are precautions that can be taken to help reduce the risk of developing the disease. A healthy lifestyle, for example, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, having a balanced diet, plenty of exercise, avoiding long intervals of exposure to the sun, exposure to tobacco or unhealthy gasses and smoke. Also regular checkups at the doctor. This way, if cancer does develop, it can be caught early, and treatment can be carried out as soon an possible to reduce the risk of spreading and reoccurrence. What are some of the common signs and symptoms of cancer?
Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Possible signs of cancer include the following: - new thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
- new mole or an obvious change in the appearance of an existing wart or mole
- a sore that does not heal
- nagging cough or hoarseness
- changes in bowel or bladder habits
- persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- unexplained changes in weight
- unusual bleeding or discharge
When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They can be caused by infections, benign tumours, or other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. A person with these or other symptoms should not wait to feel pain because early cancer usually does not cause pain.
How is cancer treated?
Cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. It depends on the type and severity of the cancer.
One, or a combination of these methods can be depending on the location of the cancer.
Another factor which can effect they type of treatment received is the person's age and general health, as some of these treatments are very vigorous and the side affects can be worse than the disease itself.
Surgery is an operation to remove the cancer. The side effects of surgery depend on many factors, including the size and location of the tumor, the type of operation, and the patient's general health. Patients have some pain after surgery, but this pain can be controlled with medicine. It is also common for patients to feel tired or weak for a while after surgery.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in a targeted area. Radiation can be given externally by a machine that aims radiation at the tumour area. It can also be given internally; needles, seeds, wires, or catheters containing a radioactive substance are placed directly in or near the tumour.
Radiation treatments are painless. The side effects are usually temporary, and most can be treated or controlled. Patients are likely to feel very tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Radiation therapy may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infection. With external radiation, it is also common to have temporary hair loss in the treated area and for the skin to become red, dry, tender and itchy.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly. The doctor may use one drug or a combination of drugs. The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drug and the dose the patient receives.
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy; however, not all anticancer drugs cause loss of hair. Anticancer drugs may also cause temporary fatigue, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth and lip sores. Drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting can help with some of these side effects. Normal cells usually recover when chemotherapy is over, so most side effects gradually go away after treatment ends.
Hormone therapy is used to treat certain cancers that depend on hormones for their growth. It works by keeping cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they need to grow. This treatment may include the use of drugs that stop the production of certain hormones or that change the way hormones work. Another type of hormone therapy is surgery to remove organs that make hormones. For example, the ovaries may be removed to treat breast cancer, or the testicles may be removed to treat prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy can cause a number of side effects. Patients may feel tired, or have fluid retention, weight gain, hot flashes, nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite, and, in some cases, blood clots. Hormone therapy may also cause bone loss in premenopausal women. Depending on the type of hormone therapy used, these side effects may be temporary, long lasting, or permanent.
Biological therapy uses the body's immune system, directly or indirectly, to fight disease and to lessen some of the side effects of cancer treatment.
The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the specific treatment. In general, these treatments tend to cause flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Patients also may bleed or bruise easily, get a skin rash, or have swelling. These problems can be severe, but they go away after the treatment stops. Does cancer always cause pain? Cancer dose not always cause pain, but of course this depends on the type and severity on the cancer, usually the pain is related to the treatment given. But this is reduced by drugs that are recommended by the doctor, It is only when cancerous growths begin to grow and affect other organs and nerves by applying pressure to them, this is when they become painful. Who uses the simulator? A team of specialist staff including radiotherapy radiographers, radiotherapy helpers, physicists, technicians and engineers' work together to deliver radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is treatment with ionising radiation. The staff aim to provide a service of high technical quality together with support and care for the patients while undergoing their course of radiotherapy. What is the machine used for? Treatment courses of radiotherapy can vary in length depending on the condition that is being treated. Our aim is to provide every patient attending with information and the support that they require in a friendly approachable manner.
The centre has been equipped the very latest equipment in order to provide the best treatment possible. The equipment consists of a combined orthovoltage/superficial treatment unit which is designed to deliver low energy radiation to treat superficial areas of the body. Three linear accelerators that are capable of treating deeper areas of the body: The treatment is planned using a machine called a simulator, which takes images to localise the treatment site. It also has an attachment so that a CT image can be taken.
A CT/Simulator or Virtual Simulator is a development that combines the use of CT scanning images and computer software to improve accuracy in the location of tumours. This equipment will dramatically changes the way we can operate. The radiotherapy and Medical physics staff at the NWCTC are excited at the prospect of getting this new equipment and the real difference it will make. How do I contact Linda? Contact information can be found on the Contact page. |
A team of specialist staff including radiotherapy radiographers, radiotherapy helpers, physicists, technicians and engineers' work together to deliver radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is treatment with ionising radiation. The staff aim to provide a service of high technical quality together with support and care for the patients while undergoing their course of radiotherapy. Treatment courses of radiotherapy can vary in length depending on the condition that is being treated. Our aim is to provide every patient attending with information and the support that they require in a friendly approachable manner. The center has been equipped the very latest equipment in order to provide the best treatment possible.
