Cancer Sintomas

(intro music) i'm sorry, there's nothing i can do... it was once spoken of only in hushed whispers behind closed doors. family members were reluctant to admit that a parent, a spouse, or a sister suffered from it. many considered it a full death sentence, a source of helplessness. "it" was cancer.

"my first reaction when i was told of my mother's illness was that i went completely and totally numb. you don't want ever in your life to have a parent call you and say, 'i have cancer.' it's a shock." today, cancer is still a dreaded and potentially lethal disease. but talking about cancer is no longer taboo. with today's methods of early detection

and advanced treatments, millions of cancer victims have gone on to live happy, productive, cancer-free lives. and millions more have avoided cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices like quitting smoking, protecting themselves from the sun, exercising, and eating right. just what is cancer, and what are its causes? do you know anyone who has, or has had cancer? at what stage was it detected?

how did the illness affect family and friends? do you think you're susceptible to cancer? what preventative steps can you take now? no doubt, the person who finds a cure for cancer will be a world hero. but there is as yet, no cure. in fact, many scientists believe that our best bet for beating cancer, will continue to be proactive behavior, including a healthy lifestyle and early detection.

one reason a cure remains elusive, is that cancer is not just one disease. cancer is a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. normal healthy cells are programmed to go about their daily routine of growing, replicating, and repairing body tissues. when something interrupts this programming, cells start to grow abnormally.

the result is a new growth of tissue that serves no physiological function. this new tissue is called neoplasm. a neoplasmic mass of cells is called a tumor. fortunately, most tumors are benign, or non-cancerous. a benign tumor is usually enclosed in a fibrous capsule that prevents it from spreading to other parts of the body. but some tumors are malignant, or cancerous. they grow uncontrollably, carrying a mutated

genetic code, and can spread throughout the body if not detected. the only accurate way to tell whether a tumor is benign or malignant, is through a biopsy, or tissue sample. "the rate at which a cancer cell can grow can be very disturbing. if i take a normal glial cell in the brain and put it in a petri dish, it takes 5-7 days

for that cell to divide into two cells. a cancer cell completely loses that type of information. so, the ability to receive the information can be lost, or the ability to interpret the information being received, is lost. we don't quite know, we know that both can happen. as a result of that, a cancer cell in the brain can divide once every 12 hours. that's a very scary proposition because that means you can get

two cells, four cells, eight cells, and in a very short period of time you can have quite a mass of cells." uncontrolled growth, that's the first problem. in addition, when cancerous cells invade the body's tissues, they disrupt the dna and rna, the substances that that carry a cells genetic code within normal cells. this disruption produces mutant cells that differ in form, quality, and function from normal cells.

why are these mutations a problem? for one thing, they make attacking cancerous cells very difficult. researchers have learned how to isolate certain cells and target them with drugs. but if each cell is different, no one drug will attack it in the same way. yet another deadly characteristic of malignant cells is metastasis, or the ability of these cells to move from one part of the body to another and grow.

"in a tumor, cells frequently break off from the main tumor or walk away somehow through various motility mechanisms. and they can actually secrete enzymes and kind of worm themselves in so that they can actually get into the bloodstream or the lymph system, which are both moving fluid systems in the body. they can sort of be carried along in the blood." as with many diseases, we know more about haow

cancer cells act, than we do about what causes cancer. we can describe the process by which cancer cells divide and spread, but we don't know for sure what makes a normal cell become cancerous. so, the question remains, what causes cancer? "my doctors have not given me any indication that it's anything that they understand where it came from. they just say that amaybe it's a gene, maybe

it's the fact that i had my period for many, many, many years. i was 59 when i still had my period, and they feel that the estrogen is the factor. the fact that i had estrogen for so long in my body, might be a factor." scientists suspect a number of culprits. some of which we can take an active role in avoiding, and some over which we have little control.

one theory supported by recent research, suggests the existence of oncogenes, or cancer-causing genes. some cancers including breast, colon, and stomach cancer tend to run in families, suggesting that some of us may inherit a genetic predisposition to certain cancers. "genetics has become a very interesting area of review and of potential treatment, because we are finding that as we look closer and closer at the chromosomes that each individual has.

that chromosome makes up the genes of our body and tells us what color hair we will have, what color eyes. they also tell us what immune defects we'll have. it will also tell us what potential malignancies we can get. we're just trying right now, in fact we're just starting to decipher what's going on with that aspect." noted variations and incidence rates, and the types of cancers that developed based on gender and race,

also suggest possible genetic causes. how much these rates are influenced by variations in diet, exercise patterns, or other culturally-influenced behaviors however, is not yet known. although data are inconclusive, many scientists suspect certain viruses may create an opportunistic environment for cancer cells to develop. the herpes virus as well as the human papilloma virus for example, are associated with high rates of cervical cancer.

in some cases, certain medical treatments are questioned as possible causes of cancer. for instance, estrogen therapy for post-menopausal women is currently under scrutiny as a possible cancer-causing agent. most doctors however, believe that properly administered estrogen does not substantially increase the risk of cancer for most patients. and that the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.

stronger correlations have been found between exposure to certain chemicals and the development of cancer. many people worry about the chemicals added to foods. sodium nitrate, used to preserve various meats is particularly implicated as containing carcinogenic properties. much of the concern over chemicals in the foods we eat centers around the pesticides and herbicides sprayed on food crops. used to promote growth, prevent plant disease

and increase production, dangerous warnings about the side effects of pcbs and dioxin, have left people leery of the safety of the soil and the crops grown in it. many scientists point out however, that the truly dangerous chemicals are already banned, and concentrations of those chemicals in the food supply are very low. usually well below federal standards. they also stress the importance of eating fruits

and vegetables to prevent certain cancers. most would agree that the health advantages of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh the risks presented by eating foods with very low concentrations of chemical residues. agricultural worker who are exposed to high, prolonged doses of herbicides and pesticides however, are at risk for developing cancers. as are people exposed to occupational hazards

like asbestos and coal tar. in addition to workplace hazards, environmental pollutants in our air and water have been implicated in causing cancer. ionizing radiation from x-rays and medical wastes, as well as ultra-violet radiation from the sun have been proven to cause cancer. and potential radiation spills from nuclear power plants, are a source of widespread public concern.

despite government monitoring, a number of other substances, many of them unknown until the 20th century, are also thought to cause cancer. among them is the defoliant agent orange, that was sprayed on the rainforests of southeast asia during the vietnam war. agent orange is blamed for a variety of cancers among american soldiers. in addition, exposure to chemical warfare during

the persian gulf war, is now suspected in various illnesses among those veterans, including cancer. many of these cancers surfaced long after the wars ended. a more subtle suspect in the search for the causes of cancer, is stress. many experts believe that prolonged stress and depression weaken the immune system, which wears down the body's resistance to cancer. although scientists disagree on the direct relationship

between cancer and stress, most agree there are a number of sociological factors related to cancer. the two most potent social sources of malignancies are alcohol and tobacco. heavy consumption of alcohol has been related to cancers of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, and liver. these cancers show up even more frequently in people who also use tobacco. cigarette smoking itself is responsible for

30% of all cancer deaths, and 87% of all lung cancer deaths. passive, or secondhand smoke is responsible for an additional 4000 lung cancer deaths a year in the united states. why are these considered social factors? while both have chemical roots, their uses are often social in nature. this serves as a perfect example of why it's

impossible to identify one cause of cancer. rather, it's often a combination of various factors that increases individual risk. the list of suspected causes of cancer is daunting. but it doesn't need to be overwhelming. there's no need to run out and give up everything fun. the most significant risk factors involve choices in lifestyle and behavior. this means that you can take an active role in reducing

or even eliminating certain risk factors from your daily life. the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of getting cancer, don't use tobacco. exposure to chemicals in tobacco increases your list for cancers of the lung, pancreas, stomach, bladder, esophagus, mouth and throat. lung cancer in particular has an especially poor

rate of survival. only 13% of lung cancer patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis. on the other hand, and many as 90% of almost all lung cancer deaths could be avoided if people did not smoke. another proactive step you can take to reduce your risk of cancer is to limit your exposure to the damaging rays

of the sun. if you think a tan is healthy, think again. the sun sends off deadly ultraviolet rays that can seriously damage your skin. although basil, or squamous, cell skin cancers are highly curable, one form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is deadly. melanoma is the number one cancer killer of women ages 25-29, and the number two cancer killer

for women ages 30-34, and the death rate for men over fifty is increasing faster than any other type of cancer. you can protect yourself from skin cancer by wearing a hat and protective clothing, avoiding sun exposure from the hours of 10am-2pm, and wearing sunscreen with an spf of no less than 17. and then there's your fitness level. you already have plenty of excellent reasons to

work out and eat a balanced diet - cancer prevention is another. a growing body of evidence shows that regular, moderate exercise and a diet low in fat and high in fiber can help reduce your risk of colon, breast, and other cancers including ovarian. eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. eat more fiber and maintain a desirable weight,

since the risk of certain caners increases for people who are more than 40% overweight. taking positive steps to reduce your risk of developing cancer is a vital part of protecting your health. just as important, you can take an active role when it comes to cancer screening. sometimes, people avoid cancer screening for fear of bad news. what they don't realize

is that when caught early, cancer can be highly curable, and periodic screenings can help identify precancerous conditions that can be addressed immediately. in fact, for some cancers, cure rates approach 100% when caught early. so, what steps can you take? first, don't underestimate the importance of your annual physical. a physical for women over 18 should include

a pelvic exam and a pap test for detecting cervical cancer. of equal importance, you need to monitor your own health on a regular basis. be aware of changes in your body and watch for the 7 warning signs of cancer. (read list above) having one of these signs doesn't, necessarily, mean you have cancer, but caution is the approach you

should take. remember, the key to successful cancer treatment is early detection. your doctor is your ally in cancer screening, but you, ultimately, have the primary responsibility for your health and this means working several simple self exams into your regular routine. examine your skin. (doctor) "one of the simplest things that we can look at, in fact, most of us are always looking into

the mirror or when we're bathing ourselves, we can always check our skin. and if we see a new skin lesion, make not of it and check it repeatedly. if that skin lesion grows rapidly or if it is abnormally colored, in other words if it's blue of blackish in color, or if it bleeds easily, i think personally myself, i would go see a doctor right away." if you notice a sudden, progressive change in a mole, it may be melanoma. a simple a, b, c, d rule will

help you know what to look for. a is for symmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other half. b is for border irregularity: the edges are ragged, notched or blurred. c is for color: the pigmentation is not uniform. d is for a diameter greater than 6mm, or larger than a pencil eraser. if you have any of these warning signs, see your doctor. testicular cancer is currently one of the most common types of tumors found in young men. those between the ages of 17-34 are at greatest risk.

so, men should practice regular self examination of their testicles; especially since testicular tumors are often painless. report any suspicious lumps or thickening to your doctor. breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. when detected early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, the five year survival rate for victims of breast cancer is almost 100%.

but that rate falls significantly if the cancer has spread to surrounding tissue - once again, emphasizing the importance of early detection. (doctor) "now, one great area of preventative medicine is for both women and men with regards to breast cancer. a woman, even if she doesn't have any family history of having breast cancer, should examine her breasts

on a monthly basis. when's the earliest time to start? now. it really doesn't matter your age, it's getting in the habit of doing your self breast examination." (woman) "in october i went for my regular mammogram, and i found out that day that i had a spot on the mammogram from my regular doctor and, uh, i was terribly shocked. i went in for a biopsy the next day and found out that i had cancer. and they could not feel it and, as a matter of fact,

it didn't show up on 3 out of the 4 mammograms that they took subsequently, but they saw it and, uh, i had a biopsy, and within two weeks had a lumpectomy, and uh, i waited for that to heal and now i'm undergoing radiation for 6 weeks. i was fairly calm when i found out, uh, because everybody was so upbeat on the fact that they had found it so early that is reassured me. it made me feel that, maybe, it's not as serious as it could have been, ya know? i'm just

going along with that, which helps my attitude tremendously. and i don't feel i'm in denial, at all, because i just feel well. and i feel i'm going to be well. i know many, many women who've survived breast cancer. i have 2 or 3 friends in my life right now - 3 or 4 friends in my life, at the moment, who have had it for at least 10 years, 15 years. one woman, a friend of mine, had it when she was 30 and she's still here, and she's 60. my prognosis now, according to my oncologist, is

in 20 years i have a 90% chance of being around." how can you make cancer self-screening a regular part of your life? surviving a diagnosis of cancer has been aided tremendously by advancements in both diagnostic techniques and treatments. for example, coupled with self examinations, periodic mammograms are the single most important tool for detecting breast cancer. like mammography, various sophisticated technologies

have been critical in detecting potential tumors. (doctor) "one of the questions that, uh, physicians ask and people as is 'what can we use to determine where are the cancers and what's going on?' what i have for you, right here, is an example of a cat scan. as we go from the base of the skull which is the right here up, we can see that there's a mass over here. and this mass is the tumor in this individual.

around this, and you can see it on a slice down here, is a dark area. that dark area is the swelling that occurs around the tumor. this is why people, when they have a tumor, it grows to a certain size, with the swelling it begins to cause symptoms like seizures or muscle weakness or memory loss. we also use mri's, which are similar." once cancers are detected, they are usually treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

often, but not always, with a combination of all three. surgery involves the physical removal of the malignant mass or masses. radiation works by destroying or inhibiting the malignant cells. it may be used instead of surgery, in some cases, or in conjunction with surgery to destroy the cells around the removed tumor. because cancer cells only respond to high doses of radiation, technicians are very careful to localize the treatment directly on the tumor.

they create a block with a cutout opening where the radiation will penetrate the rest of the form will protect the surrounding normal tissues as much as possible chemotherapy is the use of various drugs that are given through the vein or given orally and chemotherapy is a material that has been derived from the fungi of various

coal mines in japan to the barks of trees to various plants that grow wild. those materials affect our bodies ability to or actually not only our bodies but the cancer cells ability to create dna and to duplicate. fortunately it affects the cancer cells but it also affects the normal good cells. when it affects the good cells it usually affects the most rapidly reproducing

good cells and those are the lining of our mouth and our esophagus and our stomach and the hair on our scalp. so when an individual gets chemotherapy is causes them to lose their hair and it causes them to have a sore mouth or difficulty swallowing or burning when they swallow. it may also cause some diarrhea. nausea can occur from a number of different reasons. we have

progressed incredibly over the last ten to twenty years and are continuing to improve by decreasing the side effects. unfortunately we're not perfect. and our bottom line is to try to cure or control people. as cancer research continues and technology advances, new treatments are on the horizon. "right now newer things that are coming out have to do with genetic therapy and vaccines

and these things are currently being tried." a diagnosis of cancer can be frightening to the individual, as well as to friends and family. often it stimulates a greater awareness of human and personal mortality. "knowing now that it's in my family and my immediate family, it makes me aware of my own health to a greater degree. my relationship with my mother since she's developed

cancer has changed in a way where i have sort of become the parent in the relationship. i've been helping her in ways that i've never helped before. and, um, i am so aware now of the fact that there is sort of limited time for her here, that i am much more sentimental about the time i spend with her." "i have spoken to my daughters about the fact that they need to be careful, because i have had breast

cancer, that they should go in for their exams maybe to get a baseline at the age of 35 or 40 at the latest. and then, once a year after that i feel is important for them. according to my doctors, breast cancer is becoming epidemic as prostate cancer is for men. the only thing i could possible say is to get very frequent exams in those areas for men for prostate

and women for breast cancer. and do self-exams and try to eat healthfully, try to drink a lot of water, and exercise, and stay away from too much fat. definitely stay away from junk food. they feel there is a correlation between poor nutrition and breast cancer." just as new treatments are on the horizon so too is greater understanding of cancer in general.

ongoing research encourages continued hope for a cure. whatever the future holds for cancer research, one thing is certain. cancer survivors look at the world in a new way. "i think that the most enlightening thing that has happened to me is that i value each day more than i have before. i notice things smell like they did when i was a kid or the sky is gorgeous like it was when i was a kid.

those are the things that i notice that have just started happening. i do feel i am much more aware of each year being so precious." are you doing all you can to prevent and fight cancer? music subtitles by the amara.org community