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What is Cancer ?


Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth.There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected.Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when two things occur:

A cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymph systems, destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion that cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis. When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a serious condition that is very difficult to treat.


Cancer cell

How cancer spreads - scientists reported in Nature Communications (October 2012 issue) that they have discovered an important clue as to why cancer cells spread. It has something to do with their adhesion (stickiness) properties. Certain molecular interactions between cells and the scaffolding that holds them in place (extracellular matrix) cause them to become unstuck at the original tumor site, they become dislodged, move on and then reattach themselves at a new site.



What causes cancer ?

Cancer is ultimately the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Normal cells in the body follow an orderly path of growth, division, and death. Programmed cell death is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form. Unlike regular cells, cancer cells do not experience programmatic death and instead continue to grow and divide. This leads to a mass of abnormal cells that grows out of control.



Symptoms Of Cancer


 Brain:- Irritation, Numbness or partial paralysis of any body part accompanied with server headache, fits and transitory blindness etc.

 Eyes Server pounding, conjunctivitis with hemorrhage in the eye.

 Oral Cavity Ulcers in mouth or white/red patches ( Leukoplakia/ Erythroplakia ) on the inner of cheeks, under the lips, tongue/ partial closer of mouth.

 Throat/Lung/larynx Difficulty/plain in swallowing/Unexplained persistent cough/vomit or stool/urine.

 Stomach/Pancreas/Gall Bladder/Intestine Loss of weight & appetite, continuous abdominal pain, stone in gall bladder/ alternation in bowel habits. Such as constipation or loose motions.

 Respiratory/Digestive/ Excretory System Blood stained cough/vomit or stool/urine.

 Any Body Part Any new swelling or lump however smaller painless it maybe.

 Body Part/Wart or Mole An ulcer/sore/wound that does not heal up to two or three weeks or change in shape//size/ color weeping and changing habit of a wart of mole after dormancy. Blood Unusual increase or decrease in blood cell count, pale appearance, fatigue. breathlessness and or frequent fever.

 Breast/Reproduction In females any swelling or lump redness, persistent irritation in the breast. Change in the appearance & discharge in the nipple (Breast self examination needed) Irregularity in the menstrual period or start of bleeding after menopause. Pain/irritation/itching in the concerned organs.

HIV / AIDS




What Is AIDS ? What Is HIV ?

AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the disease progresses. HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person .

The virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during childbirth, and through breast feeding. HIV can be transmitted in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood transfusion, and contaminated hypodermic needles. Both the virus and the disease are often referred to together as HIV/AIDS. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS. The development of numerous opportunistic infections in an AIDS patient can ultimately lead to death.

What causes HIV/AIDS ?

HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The disease progresses in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. The rate of disease progression varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors (age of the patient, body's ability to defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected person's genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of HIV).

How HIV is transmitted?

The HIV virus can be transmitted by unprotected sexual contact sharing needles, by transfused blood products, from mother to newborn, and by occupational needle-stick exposures. Higher risk of HIV transmission is associated with penile anal intercourse and IV drug abuse.
Higher risk of HIV transmission is associated with a higher number of sexual partners.

Symptoms AIDS


 Flu Like Fever for more than one month.
 Persistent Cough for more than one month.
 Generalized itchy skin disease.
 Recurrent Herpes Zoster.
 Thrush in mouth and throat.

 Swollen glands.
 Constant Headache.
 Loss in body weight (more than 10%).
 Persistent Body weakness.
 Fall in Blood Cells(CD4T Cells).