The word cancer is daunting. Millions of people are killed by this deadly enemy every year, and even today, with the continuous advancement of medical technology, many people still fall victim to it, and people are usually no strangers to the formation of cancer.
When certain cells are affected by genetic mutations, environmental factors, etc., they can lose control and multiply indefinitely to form tumors. The cells in these tumors are often morphologically abnormal and dysfunctional, causing serious effects on the normal functioning of the body. What is often overlooked is that the body sends out some warning signs when cancer first forms.
01. The process of cancer formation
Genetic mutations: Cancer usually originates from genetic mutations. These genetic mutations can be inherited or caused by acquired factors. When a cell's genetic material (DNA) is damaged or altered, the normal process of cell growth and division may be disturbed, causing the cell to lose control over growth.
Precancerous lesions: After a genetic mutation, the cell may enter the precancerous stage, that is, the cell has undergone some abnormal changes but has not yet formed a tumor. At this stage, the growth and division of cells may have begun to show abnormalities, but no noticeable mass has yet formed. Cancer cells begin to accumulate gradually in the body.
Tumor development: Cancer begins to develop when the cells of the precancerous lesion multiply uncontrollably and form a tumor. Tumour cells often lose their characteristics as normal cells, and they may grow indefinitely, forming lumps.
As the tumour progresses, cancer cells may spread to surrounding tissues and form metastases elsewhere in the body, eventually leading to impaired multi-organ function. In this process, many factors may affect the formation and development of cancer, such as genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, etc.
02. How cancer is formed
Gene mutations: Mutations in genes can occur during cell division in the body. These mutations may be due to genetic factors, environmental toxins, or other reasons. When certain key genes are mutated, they can cause cells to lose their normal control over growth and division, leading to the formation of cancer.
Environmental factors: Factors including chemicals, radiation, viral infections and other factors can trigger cancer. Long-term exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco, industrial chemicals, and environments polluted by carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer. Long-term radiation is also one of the important causes of cancer.
Lifestyle: Poor lifestyle habits are also closely related to the occurrence of cancer. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, chronic high stress, smoking, alcohol abuse, etc., all increase the risk of cancer.
03. Three early symptoms of cancer
Body pain: When cancer cells form in the body, they tend to invade and destroy normal tissues, causing pain or discomfort in certain parts of the body. This pain may manifest as a dull, tingling, localized, or dull ache.
Because these pains may not be noticeable or easily masked by other conditions, many people do not pay enough attention to them.
Persistent fatigue and weakness: Patients with early stages of cancer experience long-lasting fatigue. This is mainly due to the fact that cancer cells consume the body's energy and produce a series of metabolic changes.
Although most people experience occasional fatigue and weakness, if you still experience persistent fatigue and weakness on a regular basis despite adequate rest and adequate sleep, it is likely to be a warning sign from your body.
Persistent fever: Fever is a natural response of the body's immune system and is usually caused by infection, inflammation, etc. If the fever lasts for a long time and cannot be treated with conventional methods, cancer should be considered.
Cancer cells may cause infection as they grow, leading to persistent fever. Cancer can also block lymphatic vessels or cause other complications of infection, which can lead to fever. This persistent fever is often mistaken for the common cold or other illnesses, thus ignoring the potential cancer risk.
04. The four things that cancer cells are most afraid of
Drink water in moderation: Water is the source of life for the body, but drinking water in moderation can not only replenish the water needed by the body in time, but also help eliminate harmful substances in the body, reduce the burden on the body, and thus prevent the occurrence of cancer.
Drinking a regular amount of water every day, especially a glass of warm water first thing in the morning, helps to cleanse the intestines, eliminate toxins from the body, and create a good environment for good health.
Moderate exercise: Moderate exercise not only helps maintain good health, but also significantly reduces the incidence of various cancers. Studies have shown that consistent and appropriate exercise can effectively improve the function of the immune system, strengthen the body's resistance, and slow down the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Moderate sun exposure: While prolonged exposure to strong sunlight may increase the risk of skin cancer, moderate sun exposure can help promote vitamin D synthesis and improve immune system function, thereby reducing the incidence of cancer.
According to research, adequate intake of vitamin D can reduce the incidence of many types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Moderate sun exposure can be a simple and effective way to prevent cancer.
Maintain an optimistic attitude: A positive and optimistic mindset is essential for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Negative emotions will increase the stress of the body and affect the normal function of the immune system, thereby reducing the body's resistance and easily inducing the occurrence of cancer.
Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude can promote the balance of endocrine in the body, enhance immunity, and be conducive to physical health. It is necessary to learn to stabilize and regulate personal emotions and maintain an optimistic attitude, so that cancer cells have nowhere to hide and keep the body away from cancer.
On the road to cancer prevention, it is important to understand the early symptoms and pay attention to the body's signals. Cancer is not invincible, but we need early detection and early treatment. If you find abnormal symptoms in your body, you must seek medical attention in time and seek help and treatment from a professional doctor. Only with the guidance of medical professionals can we better cope with the challenges of disease and protect our health.
Proofread by Zhuang Wu