Cancer

Cancer is a disease caused by the growth of abnormal cells that are not controlled in the body. This abnormal cell growth can damage normal cells around and in other parts of the body.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. Cancer often causes death because this disease usually does not cause symptoms early in its development, so it is only detected and treated after an advanced stage.

Therefore, do a routine check or check so that cancer can be detected quickly. To prevent cancer, live a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced nutritious diet, exercise diligently, don't smoke, and don't drink alcohol.

Cause of cancer

The main cause of cancer is genetic changes (mutations) of cells. Genetic mutations will make cells not normal. In fact, the body has its own mechanism to destroy these abnormal cells. If the mechanism fails, the abnormal cells will become out of control.

Factors that can trigger the growth of cancer cells vary depending on the type of cancer. However, there is no specific type of cancer that is triggered by a single factor.

Factors that can cause genetic mutations in normal cells and the body's inability to repair them include:

• Have a history of internal cancer
• Over 65 years.
• Smoke.
• Exposed to radiation, chemicals (such as asbestos or benzene) or sunlight.
• Infected by viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HPV.
• Exposed to high-level or long-term hormones.
• Get fat
• Does not move much and does not look ordinary
• Suffer from diseases that cause chronic inflammation (long-term inflammation), such as ulcerative colitis.
• Decreased immune system, for example caused by HIV / AIDS.

Cancer Symptoms

Cancer symptoms also vary depending on the type of cancer and the organ affected. Some of the symptoms that are often experienced by cancer patients are:

• Size appears.
• Pain in parts of the body.
• Pale, weak, and tired quickly.
• Drastic weight loss.
• Bench or bench
• Chronic cough.
• Fever that continues to repeat.
• Bruising and spontaneous bleeding.

When to see a doctor

People who are at risk for cancer should undergo regular check-ups and doctor visits. For example, a smoker whose family member has had cancer or someone who frequently changes sexual partners without using a condom.

One must also consult a doctor if they have symptoms of cancer, such as the appearance of a lump in the body, significant weight loss or chronic cough. Early detection of cancer can increase treatment success.

Cancer patients must be treated by an oncologist. In addition, routine checks will be carried out to determine whether the treatment provided is effective.

If the patient's condition has improved and the cancer is declared cured, the patient should still see a doctor regularly. This test is done to ensure that the cancer does not occur again.

Patients whose cancer cannot be cured should also consult a doctor. Doctors can provide treatment to slow the progress of cancer and reduce patient complaints. This treatment is called palliative care.

Diagnosis and stage of cancer

To diagnose cancer, the doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and will do a physical examination. After that, the doctor will do another test to confirm the diagnosis of cancer, namely:

• Laboratory test

Laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, can be done to detect abnormalities in the body.

• Imaging test

This test can be in the form of X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI or PET to determine the condition of the problematic organ.

• Biopsy

During this procedure, the doctor will take a tissue sample of a patient suspected of having cancer. Biopsy is the most accurate test whether a person has cancer or not.

Based on the results of the above examination, the doctor will determine the level (stage) of the cancer. In general, the stage of cancer is divided into stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. The higher the stage of the cancer, the worse the symptoms of the disease and the less likely to recover.

The stage of cancer is high and low is determined by the size of the cancer, the spread of cancer in the surrounding lymph nodes, and the rate of spread of cancer in other organs.

Cancer treatment

The type of treatment the doctor will choose depends on several factors, from the type of cancer to the location of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, the general state of the patient's health to the last wish.

Cancer treatment methods commonly used are:

• chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves administering drugs to damage cancer cells.

• operation

This procedure is done by cutting and removing cancerous tissue.

• radiotherapy

Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation exposure to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy: radiation from machines outside the body (external beam radiation) and radiation from implants inside the body (brachytherapy).

• Bone marrow transplantation

With this procedure, the patient's bone marrow will be replaced by new bone marrow from a donor, which will allow him to produce new normal cells without cancer.

• immunotherapy

Immunotherapy or biological therapy aims to activate the patient's immune system to fight cancer.

• hormone therapy

Some cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, are triggered by hormones. Therefore, by inhibiting these hormones, cancer cell growth can be stopped.

• Targeted drug therapy

This therapy consists of providing drugs that are able to inhibit genetic mutations in cells.

Please note that the above cancer treatments can cause various side effects. One of them is the reduction in the number of white blood cells, so the patient's body is vulnerable to infection.

Cancer prevention

In 2014, more than 1.5 million Indonesians died of cancer. In Indonesia, the main cause of death for men is lung cancer, while the main cause of death for women is breast cancer.

As a result, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia promotes cancer prevention programs through CERDIK. The following is an extension of CERDIK:

• Periodic health checks
• Consult your doctor for a cancer test based on your risk factors.
• Get rid of cigarette smoke
• Smoking can increase the risk of various types of cancer, including lung cancer.
• Diligent physical activity
• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Eat healthy with balanced calories
• Expand eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains (such as whole grains) and high protein foods.
• Enough rest
• Lack of sleep can increase the risk of cancer.
• Manage stress
• Prolonged and excessive stress can cause cancer.

In addition to CERDIK, you also need to take other actions to prevent cancer, namely:

• Avoid excessive sun exposure
• Exposure to sun's ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, use closed clothing when working outdoors.
• Use the mask in a polluted place
• Motor vehicle fumes, factory fumes, burning smoke, cigarette smoke and asbestos dust can cause cancer.
• Stop drinking alcohol
• If you like to drink alcohol, start stopping the habit because alcohol can trigger cancer.
• vaccinate
• Vaccination prevents two types of cancer, liver cancer with the hepatitis B vaccine and cervical cancer with the HPV vaccine.

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