Cancer: Your Essential Guide

What is cancer?

Cancer is a condition which causes cells and some parts of the body grow and multiply uncontrollably. These cancerous cells can spawn into and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs.

The NHS website states that 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

Typically in a body without cancer, cells grow and multiply in order to form new cells according to the needs of the body. Cells die once they become old or become damaged and new cells form to take their place. In cases where this systematic process fails, damaged or abnormal cells may form and accumulate even though they should not. These excessive formations or bulk of tissue are called tumours.

Tumours can be either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Malignant (cancerous) tumours advance into or penetrate nearby tissues and can spread into remote parts of the body. This process of new tumours being formed is called metastasis.

Usually cancers form solid tumours, however, in cancers of the blood, for example leukaemia, it commonly doesn’t.

Benign (non-cancerous) tumours do not disseminate neither invade nearby tissues. Once removed, benign tumours usually do not grow back, malignant tumours sometimes do. Even though non-cancerous tumours don’t spread, they can be quite large. This can cause severe life-threatening symptoms in cases such as benign tumours of the brain.

Development of cancer

Cancer is induced by changes to genes that take charge of the cell function, of how cells grow and divide. Another potential cause can be the damage to DNA caused by harmful environmental substances. Examples of these are ultraviolet rays from the sun and tobacco smoke. Genetic changes causing cancer can also be inherited from your parents.

Commonly, the body disposes of cells with damaged DNA before they turn cancerous. This ability of the body decreases in the process of aging, therefore there is a higher risk of cancer later on in life. Everyone has their specific combination of genetic changes.

Spread of cancer

A spread of cancer from the place of its formation to another place in the body is called metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer would always have the same name and type of cancer cells as the primary cancer. For instance, lung cancer that forms a metastatic tumour in the liver is metastatic lung cancer, not liver cancer. When viewed under a microscope, metastatic cancer cells would typically look the same as their original source.

Treatment may lengthen the lives of some people with metastatic cancer. The main goal of treatment often is to control the growth of the cancer or to alleviate the symptoms it is causing.

Types of cancer

There are over 200 types of cancer, they are usually classified based on where they start in the body and the sort of tissue they affect.

Carcinoma 

This is the most common type of cancer. It is formed in skin or tissues that line internal organs.

Carcinoma has some subtypes:

Adenocarcinoma – forms in cells that produce fluids or mucus; most cancers of colon, breast and prostate are adenocarcinomas.

Basal cell carcinoma – begins in the lower base layer of the epidermis, this is the outer layer of skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma (sometimes called epidermoid carcinomas)- forms in squamous cells found below the outer surface of the skin and they also line organs, including the stomach, lungs, intestines, bladder and kidneys.

Transitional cell carcinoma – forms in a type of tissue formulated of several layers of cells that can be smaller or larger, this tissue is located in the linings of the ureters, bladder and part of the kidney. It may also be found in a few other organs.

Sarcoma

Forms in bones and soft tissue, including fat, muscle, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and fibrous tissue, such as tendons and ligaments.

The most common bone cancer is Osteosarcoma, whereas the most common types of soft tissue sarcoma are leiomyosarcoma, Kaposi sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, lymphosarcoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Leukaemia

Cancers formed in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow are called leukaemia. Instead of forming solid tumours, these cancers create a build up a large amount of abnormal white blood cells in the blood and bone marrow. This forces out normal blood cells. The lack of normal blood cells makes it more difficult for the body to oxygenate its tissues, control bleeding, or fight infections. The four common types of leukaemia are grouped on the speed of progression of the disease – acute and chronic and on the type of blood cells the cancer originates in (lymphoblastic or myeloid).

Lymphoma

Begins in lymphocytes (T cells or B cells)- white blood cells are part of the immune system and fight disease. Lymphoma occurs when abnormal lymphocytes accumulate in lymph nodes and lymph vessels and in other organs of the body.

Two main types of lymphoma:

• Hodkin – abnormal lymphocytes called Reed- Sternberg cells form from B cells
• Non-Hodkin lymphoma – a large group of cancers starting in lymphocytes. Grows either quickly or slowly and begins to form from B cells or T cells.

Multiple Myeloma

Forms in plasma cells, a type of immune cells. Myeloma cells (abnormal plasma cells) pile up in the bone marrow and create tumours in bones and throughout the whole body. This cancer is also called plasma cell myeloma and Kahler disease.

Melanoma

Originates in cells that become melanocytes. These cells are specialised on making melanin (the pigment giving skin its colour). Apart from the skin they can also form in other pigmented tissues, such as the eye.

Brain and spinal cord tumours

These tumours get their name according to the type of cells where they originated and where the tumour primarily occurred in the central nervous system. An example can be Astrocytoma which begins in brain cells called astrocytes, aiding to keep nerve cells healthy. Can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

Germ cell tumours

Type of tumours that commence in the cells producing sperm or eggs. They can form anywhere in the body and can be either cancerous or non-cancerous.

Neuroendocrine tumours

Originate from cells releasing hormones into the blood in response to a signal from the nervous system. Neuroendocrine tumours produce an exceeding amount of hormones can be the cause of different symptoms and can be cancerous and non-cancerous.

Carcinoid tumours

A slow-growing type of neuroendocrine tumours, typically found in the gastrointestinal system, mostly rectum and small intestine. Can spread to the liver or other places of the body and other locations in the body. May excrete substances such as prostaglandins or serotonin, causing carcinoid syndrome.

Factors known to increase the risk of cancer

Age – it is know that cancer may take decades to advance, hence many people are diagnosed with cancer at 65 and above. Nevertheless, cancer can be diagnosed at any age.

Habits – smoking and drinking alcohol (for women more than one alcoholic drink per day, for men two drinks and above), prolonged exposure to the sun, obesity, unsafe sex can all contribute to cancer.

Family history – a small amount of cancers are due to inherited condition. Remember that having and inherited genetic mutation does not equate to you getting cancer.

Health – consult your doctor about risks regarding any chronic health conditions as they may contribute to an increase of developing some cancers.

Environment – even if you are not a smoker, you may inhale second-hand smoke while living with someone who smokes. Chemicals such as asbestos and benzene that may occur in your home or workplace are also connected with a raised risk of cancer.

Treatment complications

Pain

Can be caused either by treatment or by cancer, yet not all cancer causes pain. Cancer-related pain can be managed by your healthcare team.

Fatigue

Fatigue can often be managed and is generally only temporary and common during chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments.

Breathing difficulties

Treatments are available for shortness of breath due to cancer or cancer treatments.

Nausea

Your doctor may be able to predict if your treatment would be likely to cause nausea and prescribe medications or alternative treatments to prevent or decrease nausea.

Diarrhoea and constipation

Both cancer and its treatment may disturb your bowels causing diarrhoea and constipation.

Weight loss

Cancer deprives healthy cells of nutrients, causing weight loss independently of how many calories is consumed. In many cases, artificial nutrition via tubes into stomach or vein does not reverse weight loss.

Chemical imbalance

Cancer may cause chemical changes in your body and consequently some severe complications.  Signs may be confusion, frequent urination, extreme thirst and constipation.

Nervous system issues

Pressing on adjoining nerves, cancer can cause pain and loss of function of a part of your body. Headache and stroke-like signs and symptoms such as one sided weakness may appear in cancers involving brain.

Immune reactions

In particular situations, the immune system of the body may start attacking healthy cells. This unique reactions called paraneoplastic syndrome can lead to symptoms, such as walking difficulties and seizures.

Cancer spread

Spread of cancer to other places in the body – metastasis – depends on the type of  cancer.

Relapse of cancer

Some cancers are more prone to returning than others. Consult your doctor about the best approach to reducing your risk of cancer recurrence. Your doctor may design a follow-up care plan for you after treatment, such periodic scans and exams in the months or years after your treatment.

Reducing risk of cancer

• Quit smoking and don’t start if you don’t smoke yet as this will contribute to reducing your risk of cancer, not just lung cancer.
• Stay in the shade, apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, limit sun exposure.
• Choose non-processed nutrient rich foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
• Exercise regularly, healthcare professionals advise at least 30 minutes of exercise for most days of the week, you must tailor exercise guidance to your capabilities.
• Keep your weight within the advised limits, obesity is known to increase the risk of cancer.
• Limit alcohol intake or avoid drinking alcohol completely.
• Ask your doctor about about immunisation against viruses, such as hepatitis B and HPV, which can heighten the risk of cancer.

Research and initiatives

Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative

The Global Breast Cancer Initiative

The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer

Clinical Trial Research – Cancer Research UK

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

Whether you are undergoing treatment or supporting someone with cancer, your daily life will be different, it can be challenging for the person with cancer and those supporting them. At Cavendish Homecare, we understand the complexities and individual needs of each client living with cancer, our highly experienced carers and nurses provide clinical expertise as well as compassion and emotional support.

Cavendish Homecare provides flexible, comprehensive and responsive support to help you maintain the highest quality of cancer care at home. To learn more about our care services and how we can assist with your needs, please reach out to our team, we are here to discuss further and address any questions or concerns you may have.