Cancer is the uncontrolled division of cells that cause the growth of tumors. Cancerous or malignant tumors metastasize or spread to and damage vital organs. Colon cancer starts in the colon or large intestine and can be of many types, depending on the cells that turn cancerous and where the tumors form. The most common type is adenocarcinomas, which begin in the mucus layer of the colon. In the early stages of colon cancer, the symptoms can be mistaken for those of other diseases. That said, let’s look at a few telltale signs of colon cancer that one should keep an eye out for: 1. Bowel problems Constipation and diarrhea affect almost everyone due to minor infections. That said, bowel changes that last for over a few days could indicate a severe health issue and need immediate medical attention. Bloody, narrow, and thin stools can be indicative of changes in the colon. Additionally, large tumors block the colon and can cause disturbances in bowel movement. If there is no known cause and this symptom persists for more than a few weeks, an underlying disease like colon cancer may be responsible. So, it’s best to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and guidance on the next steps.

Blood clots can be both positive and negative. When you sustain a wound, a clot can prevent you from losing a lot of blood. However, even without any wound, blood clots can form in the deep portions of the veins, resulting in deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A clot that is unnecessary could eventually lead to pulmonary embolism, wherein the major organs are deprived of oxygen. Here are five tell-tale symptoms of DVT that you should know about: 1. Swelling in the limb While swelling can generally be attributed to any other health condition, the pain resulting from DVT is accompanied by painful discomfort. Pain from the blood clot(s) often leads to cramps and even muscle strain. In many cases, it also impairs free movement. The skin around the feet and ankles (largely the lower part of the legs) may turn tender or pale. 2. Chest pain A dislodged clot can lead to pulmonary embolism. Heart attack and pulmonary embolism (PE) share many symptoms. One way to identify the difference between the two is to understand the nature of the pain. With PE, the pain is sharp and intense when you take a deep breath; it worsens with every breath you take.

Leukemia is the cancer of white blood cells or leukocytes. It is the most common kind of blood cancer affecting close to 50,000 people a year in the country. An abnormal count of white blood cells flooding the blood vessels results in a decrease in red blood cells and platelets. Symptoms like anemia, bleeding problems, and frequent infections occur when there are changes in the balance or proportion of these three blood cells. Leukemia can be acute and rapidly progressive or chronic and slowly progressing. It can also be classified into myelogenous, affecting the bone marrow and leukocytes, or lymphocytic, affecting only white blood cells. Treatment options for leukemia include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant. 1. Chemotherapy As the name suggests, chemotherapy involves medicines or chemicals that kill or inhibit the multiplication of cancerous cells. These chemicals can be consumed as pills, administered intravenously, or injected subcutaneously. Chemotherapy treatment is given in cycles, a few days of treatment followed by a recovery period to not overwhelm the body. The treatment process involves a period of induction and intensification. Some patients may require maintenance chemotherapy to prevent the recurrence of cancer. Side effects of chemotherapy include damage to the hair, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow.

Doctors can diagnose prostate cancer early if one goes for periodic screening. In many cases, since the cancer is diagnosed only at an advanced stage, doctors start aggressive treatment right after diagnosis. The goal of the treatment is to stop and control the spread of cancer as quickly as possible. They will combine one or more treatment methods based on your medical history, overall health, and stage. Read on to know the common treatment methods for prostate cancer. 1. Active Surveillance This is recommended to men with early-stage prostate cancer. Doctors track cancer closely via frequent screening tests like DRE, PSAs, and biopsies. To arrest any growth, they will recommend surgery or radiation therapy. Active surveillance prevents avoidable costs and side effects that are associated with cancer treatment. 2. Surgery Since prostate affects men above 60 years of age, surgery is recommended only for good overall health, and if the cancer is still at an early stage. Doctors remove the prostate through a procedure called Prostatectomy. This type of surgery to ensure that cancer has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Doctors also use non-invasive procedures like laparoscopy, where small cuts are made, and the prostate is removed. Another rarely used surgery is perineal Prostatectomy, where doctors make a cut between the anus and scrotum and remove the prostate.

Treatment for cervical cancer is similar to other cancers. It aims to stop cancer from spreading. Treatment methods vary from person to person, depending on the stage of cancer, overall health, and age. Surgery might not be possible for all cancers, and chemotherapy may not be permitted due to the patients’ overall health. In such cases, a multi-disciplinary team of doctors decides on the way forward. Here are a few treatment options for cervical cancer. 1. Surgery Surgery is done to ensure the cancer cells do not spread outside of the cervix. The most commonly used surgical procedures for cervical cancer are: Conization –This procedure removes all micro-invasive cancer tissues that can be seen through a microscope only. LEEP – Here, electricity is passed through a thin wire hook to remove the micro-invasive cancer cells. Hysterectomy – A small cut is made in the abdomen to remove the uterus and cervix. A radical hysterectomy is done to remove the vagina, uterus, cervix, and the cancer tissues around the cervix. Exenteration – This is another rare procedure used when cancer has returned after radiation. This procedure removes those parts where cancer has spread. Surgery may have short-term side effects, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, or long-term side effects, such as fistula and loss of sensation during intercours .