The disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer also has the ability to spread throughout your body.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the World. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment. he following are the most common signs and symptoms of cancer. If you have a symptom that isn’t listed here and that’s lasted for a few weeks, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your GP.
Lumps You should see your GP if you notice a lump or swelling anywhere on your body.
It can be useful to tell your GP how long it’s been there and if it’s getting bigger or causes discomfort. It can be difficult to tell what a lump is just by feeling it. But if your GP suspects that you might have a cancer, they will refer you to an appropriate specialist for further tests.
Coughing and breathlessness If you have a cough or feel breathless for more than three weeks, you should see your GP. Tell them if you have any blood in your sputum (phlegm) when you cough.
Change in bowel habit Blood in your stools (bowel motions) can be a symptom of bowel cancer. The blood is usually dark but can be bright red in colour.You may notice a change in your normal bowel pattern, such as diarrhoea or constipation, for no obvious reason. Some people may have alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation. You may have a feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after a bowel motion. Some people have pain in the tummy (abdomen) or back passage.
If any changes in bowel habit last for more than six weeks, you should check them out with your GP.
Abnormal bleedingUnexplained bleeding should always be checked out by your GP.Any unexplained bleeding is a sign that something might be wrong and should always be checked out by your GP.Bleeding between periods or after sex may be caused by cancer of the womb or cervix. Women who have any vaginal bleeding after they have had their menopause should always see their GP.Blood in your urine may be caused by bladder or kidney cancer.Coughing up blood in your sputum (phlegm) can sometimes be a sign of lung cancer.Vomiting blood can be a sign of stomach cancer, although it can also be due to a stomach ulcer.Bruising and nosebleeds are rarely signs of cancer, but can in some cases be caused by leukaemia. However, people with leukaemia usually have other symptoms too.Unexplained weight lossIf you've lost a lot of weight over a short period of time (a couple of months or less) that can't be explained by changes in your diet, increased exercise or stress, it's important to tell your GP.Suspicious moles or skin changesMalignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer that often starts with a change in the appearance of normal skin. This can look like an abnormal new mole. Fewer than one third of melanomas develop in existing moles. Any of the following changes should always be checked out.Asymmetry - Melanomas are likely to be irregular or asymmetrical. Ordinary moles are usually symmetrical (both halves look the same).Border - Melanomas are more likely to have an irregular border with jagged edges. Ordinary moles usually have a well-defined, regular border.Colour - Moles tend to be one shade of brown. Melanomas often have more than one colour.Diameter (width) - Melanomas are usually more than 7mm in diameter. Moles are normally no bigger than the blunt end of a pencil (about 6mm across).Evolving (changing) - Look for changes in the size, shape or colour of a mole. It's important to see your GP if you have any unusual marks on the skin that last for more than a few weeks, or if you have a mole that shows any of the above signs.HoarsenessA hoarse voice may be a sign of cancer of the larynx. Hoarseness can occasionally be a symptom of other cancers, such as thyroid cancer, cancer of the gullet (oesophagus) or lung cancer. If hoarseness continues for longer than two weeks, you should tell your GP.PainPeople often think that pain is a symptom of cancer, but many people with cancer have no pain in the early stages. Some people with cancer will never have pain. Evidence-based research has shown that there are hundreds of known and effective cancer cures. Here are some very simple protocols that will give you an edge if you are afflicted with cancer.
Baking Soda tsp. of baking soda and the juice of 1 organic lemon in 8 ounces of water several times per day is a very easy way to alkalize the body. Cancer cells can't grow in an alkaline body.
Blood Root Blood root is a perennial plant that contains a plant alkaloid called Sanguinarine. Sanguinarine kills cancer cells only and does not harm your healthy cells. It can be used internally or applied externally in a salve for superficial cancers.
Chaga Chaga is a medicinal mushroom that has been studied in laboratories for many years. It has shown much promise as an immune system modulator and has many anti-cancer properties.
Vitamin D Checking your blood serum Vitamin D levels could help you prevent cancer and speed up your recovery from cancer. A study conducted in 2006 indicated that lower levels of blood serum Vitamin D were associated with a poorer overall survival rate of post-menopausal breast cancer patients.
Essiac Tea The original formulation of this tea was actually an old Native Indian recipe that had been used for hundreds of years. A Canadian nurse learned about it and started sharing it with some of her cancer patients and she began to see amazing recoveries. The tea, comprised of several anti-cancer and cleansing herbs, can be consumed several times per day.
Flax Seeds and cottage cheese Dr. Johanna Budwig, a German biochemist and physicist, is credited for this healing concoction that has seen a 90 percent success rate spanning over 50 years. The combination of these two foods provides essential fatty acids and lipoproteins that reduce tumors and restore health.
Hemp Oil The cannabinoids in hemp kill cancer cells. Period. And like all other herbal remedies, the plant chemicals do not harm healthy cells. There have been numerous studies conducted with reported beneficial effects on many types of cancers, including breast cancer.
Iodine It is estimated that over 85 percent of the world's population is iodine deficient. Since estrogen production increases with iodine deficiency, make sure you have your iodine levels tested every year.
Melatonin Melatonin is a powerful breast cancer cell inhibitor. In fact, in laboratory studies, it actually put breast cancer cells to sleep and slowed down the growth by 70percent. Melatonin also counteracts the effects of environmental estrogens.
Broccoli Sprouts  While cruciferous vegetables in general have been promoted for their anti-cancer properties, broccoli sprouts are up to 100 times more potent. The sprouts contain Sulforaphane which not only kills cancer cells, but actually suppresses the growth and spread of many types of cancers. There are literally hundreds of known cancer cures that have saved countless lives. Of course, healing cancer involves healing the body as a whole. Lifestyle and dietary changes are also essential since cancer is just the symptom and NOT the cause. If you know anyone who is afflicted with cancer, please share this information and be a messenger of hope