Cancer is one of the main diseases which is characterised by the production of abnormal cells which have the capability of uncontrollable division and destroy the normal body tissue.
Understanding what you should expect from diagnosis to recovery will help you to control your health.
Well, through this blog Karetrip will help you to understand the general overview of what cancer is, symptoms of cancer, detection method, treatment and post treatment options.
What is Cancer ?
Abnormal cells rapidly divide and cause a condition called cancer. These cells may cause tumours and cause damage to regular functioning of the body.
According to the World Health Organization, Cancer is one of the leading causes of death which accounted for almost 1 in 6 deaths in 2020. However, detection of cancer at an early stage and using innovative and effective treatment strategies can help cure cancer and increase longevity of people.
Cancer Statistics: Global and India
| Metric / Category | Worldwide (2022) | India (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| New cases | About 20 million | About 1.41 million |
| Deaths | About 9.7 million | About 917,000 |
| Most common cancers | Lung (12.4% of cases), female breast (11.6%), colorectal (9.6%), prostate (7.3%), stomach (4.9%) | Breast (about 192,000 cases), lip and oral cavity (about 144,000), cervix (about 128,000), lung (about 82,000), oesophagus (about 71,000) |
Stages of Cancer
Cancer usually consists of four stages . Each stage is determined by different factors such as size of the tumour , location etc. The four stages are:
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Stage I : It is localised to a small area and is not spread to tissues or lymph nodes.
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Stage II : The growth of cancer has initiated but not yet spread to other organs.
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Stage III : Growth of cancer on a large scale and possible spread across tissues and lymph nodes happen.
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Stage IV : This stage is referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer. In this stage , the cancer has spread to other organs or areas of your body.
There is also a Stage 0 , which is the earliest stage which describes the area where cancer has started. This stage is usually treated and considered precancerous by most healthcare professionals.
Main Types of Cancer
By the type of cell where cancer begins
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Carcinoma: Starts in the skin or in tissue lining or covering organs. This is the most common group and includes most breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancers
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Sarcoma: Starts in connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle or blood vessels
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Leukaemia: Starts in blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow, leading to large numbers of abnormal blood cells
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Lymphoma and myeloma: Start in the immune system. Lymphoma begins in lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system; myeloma begins in plasma cells in the bone marrow
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Brain and spinal cord cancers: Start in the central nervous system
By the body part where cancer begins Cancers are also named for the organ where they start. A cancer that begins in the lung and spreads to the liver is still lung cancer. The most commonly diagnosed include:
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Breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine (endometrial)
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Prostate, testicular, penile
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Lung, oral cavity, throat and larynx, thyroid
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Oesophageal, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic
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Colon and rectal (colorectal), bladder, kidney
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Skin cancers (including melanoma)
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Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, brain cancers, bone cancers
Common Cancers at a Glance: Warning Signs, Risk Factors and Screening
| Cancer | Possible warning signs | Key risk factors | Screening or early detection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | New lump, change in breast size or shape, nipple discharge or inversion, skin dimpling | Age, family history, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, obesity, alcohol | Mammography; clinical breast exams |
| Lung | Persistent cough, coughing blood, breathlessness, chest pain, hoarseness | Smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, air pollution | Low-dose CT scan for high-risk smokers |
| Colorectal | Blood in stool, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss | Age, diet high in processed meat, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, family history | Colonoscopy, stool-based tests |
| Oral cavity | Mouth ulcer that does not heal, white or red patches, lump, difficulty chewing or swallowing | Tobacco (smoked and smokeless), betel quid, alcohol, HPV | Regular oral examination |
| Cervical | Abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex, after menopause), unusual discharge | Persistent HPV infection, smoking, weakened immunity | HPV test, Pap smear; HPV vaccination prevents most cases |
| Prostate | Weak urine flow, frequent urination, blood in urine or semen (often no early symptoms) | Age, family history, ethnicity | PSA test (discuss benefits and risks with your doctor) |
| Stomach | Persistent indigestion, early fullness, black stools, unexplained weight loss | H. pylori infection, smoked or salted foods, smoking | Endoscopy for high-risk people |
| Liver | Yellowing of skin or eyes, abdominal swelling, upper right abdominal pain | Hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, heavy alcohol use, fatty liver disease | Ultrasound monitoring for people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis |
| Skin | Mole that changes in size, shape or colour; new growth; sore that will not heal | UV exposure, sunburns, fair skin, many moles | Regular skin self-checks and dermatology exams |
| Leukaemia | Frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, bone pain, fatigue | Previous chemotherapy or radiation, certain genetic conditions, benzene | Blood tests (often found during tests for other reasons) |
Screening recommendations, including when to start, differ between countries and individuals. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
Different types of Cancer
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Appendix cancer
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Bladder cancer
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Bone cancer
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Brain cancer
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Breast cancer
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Cervical cancer
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Colon or colorectal cancer
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Duodenal cancer
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Ear cancer
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Endometrial cancer
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Esophageal cancer
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Heart cancer
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Gallbladder cancer
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Kidney or renal cancer
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Laryngeal cancer
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Leukaemia
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Lip cancer
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Liver cancer
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Lung cancer
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Lymphoma
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Oral cancers
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Ovarian cancer
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Pancreatic cancer
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Penile cancer
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Prostate cancer
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Rectal cancer
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skin cancer
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small intestine cancer
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spleen cancer
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stomach or gastric cancer
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testicular cancer
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thyroid cancer
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uterine cancer
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vaginal cancer
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vulvar cancer
Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer is a complex disease by not exhibiting symptoms for years. Sometimes , cancer may cause some noticeable changes in the body which gets worsened quickly.
Having certain symptoms does not mean that you have cancer. You should consult your healthcare provider anytime if any particular change persists for more than two weeks in your body.
The most common symptoms are:
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Unexplained weight loss.
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Extreme tiredness or Fatigue.
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Chronic pain.
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Fever that occurs mostly at night.
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Changes in skin , particularly moles that change shape and size or new moles and yellowing of skin.
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Bruising or bleeding more easily.
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Lumps or bumps under your skin that don’t go away.
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Trouble in breathing.
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Difficulty in swallowing food.
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Constant Indigestion
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Unexplained muscle ache and twitches.
Risk factors
People who have developed cancer may not have an idea what is increasing their risk in developing the disease. Factors which is known to increase your risk of developing cancer include :
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Age : It takes decades to develop a life threatening condition such as cancers.People who are diagnosed with cancer are mostly 65 years or older. It is not a disease exclusively for adult age , whereas it can be diagnosed at any age. People who are aged are more susceptible to developing cancer.
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Habits : Lifestyle choices have a great influence in developing cancer. Smoking tobacco , drinking alcohol without limit , excessive exposure to sun or frequent sunburns and even having unprotected sex can contribute to cancer. Changing these habits can lower the risk of cancer.
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Family History : Only a minimal portion of cancer can be transferred genetically. If cancer is common in your family , it is possible that mutation is transferred from one generation to the next. If you have inherited a mutation , in order to check you need to undergo genetic testing. Always remember that if you have inherited genetic mutation , it does not necessarily mean that you will get cancer.
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Health Conditions : Chronic health conditions such as ulcerative colitis increase your risk of developing certain cancers. You should have a conversation with your healthcare professional about this risk.
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Environment : Harmful chemicals that increase your risk of cancer. Even if you don't smoke , if you inhale secondhand smoke also , it will harm you. Chemicals in your home or workplace such as asbestos and benzene are also associated with increased risk of cancer.
How to prevent risk factors?
By changing some of your lifestyle choices , you can reduce the risk of developing cancer:
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Try to quit smoking or use of tobacco. Ask a healthcare professional about smoking cessation programs or de-addiction programmes.
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Try to follow a healthy diet plan which contains a balanced diet consisting of fruits , vegetables , foods rich in protein , vitamin , minerals and antioxidants.
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Having proper exercise on a daily basis will prevent the risk of developing cancer. It will boost your immune system and hence it will act as a protection against cancer.
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Avoiding the exposure to toxins such as asbestos , radon and pesticides will reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
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Protecting yourself from harmful UV Radiations from the Sun.Using a high SPF Sunscreen, hat , umbrellas will help you in this.
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Regular cancer screening will help you to track whether you have a risk of developing the disease.
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Getting regular medical checkups to ensure your overall health is necessary.
When to See a Doctor
Book an appointment if you notice:
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A lump, sore or skin change that does not go away
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Unexplained weight loss, fever or fatigue lasting more than two to three weeks
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Unusual bleeding, persistent cough, hoarseness or trouble swallowing
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A lasting change in bowel or bladder habits
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Any symptom that is new, persistent and unexplained, especially if you have a family history of cancer or a significant tobacco history
Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. If you are due for screening, schedule it even when you feel well.
Cancer Treatment in India for International Patients
Patients from over 40 countries travel to India for cancer care, often for faster access to specialists, a second opinion on a diagnosis, or advanced treatments such as radiation therapy, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplant. Karetrip connects international patients with oncologists at NABH- and JCI-accredited hospitals in India, supports remote review of your medical reports before you travel, and helps with medical visa documentation, accommodation and on-ground coordination.
Learn more about oncology care in India or breast cancer treatment, or chat with our medical assistant, RUA, for guidance on next steps.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor about your health.