A good number of deadly cancers are
not known to many. Some of these cancers do not kill in high numbers, but when someone is affected, they become a terminal disease.
A terminal disease is a disease in which if an individual contacts, he should be ready for his eventual death at any moment onward.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria has the highest rate of cancer in Africa, with the figure possibly reaching about 13 million in 2030. Every year, 10,000 Nigerians die as a result of cancer-related deaths, while 250,000 new cases of cancer are recorded annually.
The list of deadly cancers common among Nigerian men include: leukaemia (white blood cells cancers), lung, colorectal (colon), liver, prostrate, throat, among the rest. However, the four top cancers are: prostrate, liver and colon and breast cancer.
1. Prostrate
In a research work published in Pan African Medical Journal in August 10, 2013, a study carried out in Lagos to find out the rate at which men are affected with prostrate cancer revealed there was a high prevalence of prostate cancer in the community of Lagos, which was much higher than the previously known figure.
Majority of the men examined already have advanced and high grade cancers and did not even seek for medical treatment.
In addition, there are so many men who are suffering from prostrate cancer, but are dying in silence. Prostrate cancer when it affects a man leads to a situation, whereby it could be difficult for the affected man to pass out urine or perform $exual activities.
2. Liver
Liver cancer just like all other cancers is very lethal. It kills gradually.
One big challenge of liver cancer is that it is a metastasis. That is, it is a cancer which spreads to other regions of the body, apart from where it starts. This means if a man has liver cancer, the cancer will spread to other vital organs in his body.
Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver before it becomes a malignant tumour. Men who come up with this type of cancer hardly survive it.
3. Colorectal
Colorectal cancer is also called colon cancer.
Every year, the month of March is used to mark the colon cancer awareness month (commonly called colon cancer awareness month).
Most Nigerians are not aware of colon cancer; yet it is one of the commonest cancers, globally. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in Nigerian men (after prostate and liver cancer).
According to the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) in Nigeria, every two hours, a Nigerian is diagnosed of colon cancer.
About 80% of all Nigerians who are diagnosed of colon cancer die from it. This is sad and very unfortunate; given the fact that colon cancer is one of the cancers that is virtually 100% preventable.
The colon and rectum (in our local language are called abodi, afoanu etc). They are the last part of the digestive system. Rectum helps absorb water and salt from the food matter to form faeces or stool that then passes out from the body.
The colon is a muscular tube about five feet long while the rectum. It is the final six inches of the digestive system, where faeces is stored until it passes out of the body through the anus.
Most colon cancers develop slowly, over 10 to 15 years. It usually begins as a small non-cancerous growth, called polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
It should be noted that so many factors trigger abnormal proliferation of cells, which is known as cancer. These factors include: exposure to radiation, some food, unhealthy lifestyle, heredity, and other carcinogenic substances.
4.Breast cancer:Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that develops from breast cells.
Breast cancer usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. A malignant tumor can spread to other parts of the body. A breast cancer that started off in the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma, while one that developed from the ducts is called ductal carcinoma.
The vast majority of breast cancer cases occur in females. This article focuses on breast cancer in women.
15 SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER:
Women's bodies are always changing. Sometimes changes that seem normal can be signs of cancer, though.
The key is to pay attention to your body so you can notice when something's different, says Robyn Andersen, PhD, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. "New symptoms indicate something has changed in your body, and you want to know what that means."
So, what should you watch for?
1. Breast changes
Most breast lumps aren't cancer, but your doctor should always check them. Let her know about these changes, too:
Skin dimpling or puckering
Nipples that turn inward
Nipple discharge
Redness or scaling of your nipple or breast skin
To look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. You may also have tests like a mammogram or a biopsy, when doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue for testing.
2. Bloating
"Women are natural bloaters," says Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "It's OK to wait a week or two to see if it goes away."
If your symptoms don't get better with time, or if they happen with weight loss or bleeding, see a doctor. Constant bloating can sometimes mean ovarian cancer. You'll have a pelvic exam as well as blood tests, and sometimes an ultrasound, to look for the cause of the problem, Andersen says.
3. Between-Period Bleeding
If you’re still getting periods, tell your doctor if you’re spotting between them. Bleeding that’s not a part of your usual monthly cycle can have many causes, but your doctor will want to rule out endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of your uterus).
Bleeding after menopause is never normal and should be checked right away.
4: Skin Changes
A change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other spot is a common sign of skin cancer. See your doctor for a thorough exam and perhaps a biopsy. This is one time you don't want to wait, Meyers says.
5. Blood in Your Pee or Stool
Talk to your doctor if you're bleeding from a part of your body that normally doesn't, especially if the bleeding lasts more than a day or two, Meyers says.
Bloody stool is often from hemorrhoids, but it can also be a symptom of colon cancer. Bloody urine is usually the first sign of cancer of the bladder or kidneys, says Herbert Lepor, MD, a urologist at NYU's Langone.
6. Changes in Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands around the body. Most changes in them come from common infections. But some cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause lymph nodes to swell.
It's a good idea to see your doctor if you have a lump or swelling anywhere in your body that lasts a month or more, Meyers says.
7. Trouble Swallowing
Occasional trouble swallowing is nothing to worry about. But when it happens often, especially with vomiting or weight loss, your doctor may want to check you for throat or stomach cancer.
He'll look into your symptoms with a throat exam and a barium X-ray. During a barium test, you drink a special liquid that makes your throat stand out on the X-ray.
8. Weight Loss Without Trying
Most women wish extra pounds would magically melt away. But losing 10 pounds or more without a change in your diet or exercise habits could signal a problem.
Most unintended weight loss is not cancer, Meyers says. "It's often caused by stress or your thyroid, but it can be a sign of pancreatic cancer," she says. Stomach and lung cancers are also possible.
Your doctor may ask for a lot of tests to look for a problem, including blood tests and imaging tests, like a CT scan.
9. Heartburn
Too much food, alcohol, or stress (or all three) can cause serious heartburn. Meyers suggests that you change your diet for a week or two to see if your symptoms get better.
If that doesn't help, talk to your doctor. Heartburn that doesn't go away or gets worse could mean cancer of the stomach, throat, or ovaries.
10. Mouth Changes
If you smoke, watch for white or bright-red patches inside your mouth or on your lips. Both can signal oral cancer. Ask your doctor or dentist about tests and treatment.
11. Fever
A fever that doesn’t go away and can't be explained could mean leukemia or another blood cancer. Your doctor should get the details of your medical history and give you a physical exam to check for the cause.
12. Fatigue
A lot of women are tired because they lead hectic lives. But extreme tiredness that won’t go away isn’t normal.
Talk to your doctor if your fatigue never gets better or if you have other symptoms, like blood in your stool. Your doctor will ask for your complete medical history and give you blood tests.
13. Cough
Most coughs go away on their own in 3 to 4 weeks. Don't ignore one that lasts longer than that, especially if you smoke or are short of breath. If you cough up blood, go to the doctor. A cough is the most common symptom of lung cancer.
14. Pain
Cancer doesn’t cause most aches. But ongoing pain can signal bone, brain, or other cancers. Ask your doctor about any unexplained aches that last a month or longer.
15. Belly Pain and Depression
It’s rare, but belly pain plus depression can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Should you worry? Not unless pancreatic cancer runs in your family, Meyers says. "Then you need a prompt.
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