There are more than 300 types of cancer. Some types grow and spread quickly and cause an early death. But other types may be completely cured. In all types of cancer,though,there is uncontrolled and irregular growth of abnormal cells. This growth can take place in any tissue or organ of the body.

    Normal cells divide in an orderly way. One cell becomes two cells, two cells become four, four cells become eight, and so on. Through normal cell division, body tissues and organs are formed. But cancer cells do not divide in an orderly and controlled way.When cancer cells divide, for example, one cell may become four or five. The four cells may become eleven cells, and these cells may continue to grow in a disorganized way. The cells are irregular in size and shape, and they no longer form useful tissues and organs. Cancer cells use nourishment needed by healthy cells.Also,the large mass of useless cancer cells crowds normal cells. This prevents healthy tissue from functioning.

What causes cancer?

There is no single cause of cancer. But a combination of environmental and biological factors is now known to affect the growth of different types of cancer.

Environmental factors

Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer. Different carcinogens cause different kinds of cancer. Exposure to asbestos for many years may cause a type of lung cancer. Smokers have a much higher rate of lung, larynx and esophageal cancer than nonsmokers do. Too much exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancers. Cancer of the bowel is very common in the united states, but vegetarians rarely develop it. Too much exposure to radiation may also cause some forms of cancer.

Biological factors

Some families have"familial tendency"toward a certain type of cancer. such as breast or stomach cancer. This means that members of these families are more likely than other people to get a certain type of cancer. As you grow older, your chance of getting cancer will increase. For some unknown reason, cells that have been dividing normally for many years may suddenly begin to grow in a way that is not normal.

Reducing risks through sensible eating

Eating a smart diet can also reduce the risk of cancer. Although no single vitamin or food product has been proven to prevent cancer, there is evidence that there is a relationship between diet and cancer. Such an approach includes eating foods rich in vitamins A and C. Fruits and vegetables, especially the dark green and yellow vegetables, help lower the risk for cancers of the larynx, esophagus, and lungs. Be sure to include such vegetables as broccolli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.

    Avoid eating too many sly-cured, nitrite-cured, and smoked foods. Excess nitrates may form nitrosamines, which can cause cancer in the stomach and esophagus. In general, reduce your intake of high-fat foods. Not only does this help to control weight, but avoiding fatty foods can also reduce cancers of the breast,colon,and prostate.

    Concentrate on foods with high fiber content. The theory is that the fibers in foods like wheat bran,oatmeal,fruits and vegetables are not digested.Fecal material, along with carcinogenic chemicals that may adhere to the lining of the colon, is thus quickly eliminated.

    Do not use alcohol excessively.Alcohol,combined with cigarette smoking or smokeless tobacco, increases the risk of cancers of the mouth ,larynx. throat, esophagus, and liver.

    Finally, avoid obesity. If you are overweight by 40 percent or more, the risk of cancer in the colon, breast, prostate, gallbladder, ovary, and endometrium of the uterus is high.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), five daily servings of fruits and vegetables can help ensure short-term nutritional needs but may not be enough to guard against health problems that develop over time. Because these foods are rich in the substances that help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases like diabetes, the Institute urges Americans to become health-savvy and aim for more than five a day - ideally, nine servings.

Fruits and Vegetables: Low on America's Dietary Totem Pole

       A 1999 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that the potato - whether fresh, french-fried, or turned into chips - was America's most widely eaten vegetable, with iceberg lettuce in second place, followed by tomatoes, carrots and onions. The deeply-colored green and yellow vegetables rich in disease-fighting substances represented only 0.4 percent of Americans' daily servings
    "According to surveys," says Polk, "many Americans barely eat two or three servings of vegetables and fruits in the course of a day, and that's not nearly enough to satisfy our nutritional needs. Five servings a day is really the minimum. But health experts advise that nine servings should be our goal."
    Polk points out that in addition to the powerful anti-cancer substances they contain, called phytochemicals, vegetables and fruits also have the fiber that creates a "full" feeling with a minimum of calories, often far more effectively than starchy, higher calorie foods like potatoes and pasta. For example, one serving of raspberries has twice as much fiber as one serving (one slice) of whole-wheat bread, which is considered a good source of fiber. Polk stresses that the many kinds of phytochemicals found in different vegetables and fruits are the paramount reason for increasing our intake of these foods.

Vegetables and Fruits Are High in Health Protection

"When it comes to preventing cancer, eating more vegetables is second only to quitting smoking in its importance as a protective measure," says Dr. John D. Potter, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Cancer Prevention Research Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Potter headed an AICR expert panel of scientists who reviewed more than 4,500 studies on the connection between diet and cancer. They found convincing evidence that diets high in vegetables and/or fruits protect against many different types of cancers.

Polk notes that eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is important because certain types of phytochemicals are found only in specific kinds of vegetables. For example, carotenoids, a family of antioxidants found in tomatoes, watermelon and sweet potatoes, are believed to enhance immunity and heart health as well as play an anticancer role. One type, lycopene, is linked to reduced risk of prostate and breast cancer, while two others, lutein and zeaxanthin, are believed to protect against macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 65.

Scientists believe phytochemicals work, both independently and with each other, in a synergistic fashion that may boost each other's effectiveness. Some eliminate free radicals that damage DNA, while others help rid the body of carcinogens.

Diets containing substantial and varied amounts of vegetables and fruits will prevent 20 percent or more of all cases of cancer"

Early detection of cancer

Unfortunately ,many types of cancer cannot yet prevented. Therefore, finding these cancers early is very important. The chance of a cure is much greater when a cancer is found early. For example, colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer is second incidence only to lung cancer. If it is found and treated in an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 87 percent for colon cancer and 78 percent for rectal cancer.Cervican cancer can be effectively detected by PAP test.

    A yearly physical checkup for anyone over the age of 30 may help to prevent or detect cancer in the early stages. Sometimes a cancer that causes no symptoms may be found. If a tumor is found, a physician may suggest a biopsy. A biopsy is an operation to remove a small amount of tissue from the body so that a physician can look for abnormal cells.

The list below includes the seven of the American Cancer Society and two others. See a physician if you notice any of these signs. These conditions do not always mean that cancer is present, but you should be examined by a physician just to be safe.

Treatment of cancer

The goal of cancer treatment is to destroy cancer cells or to remove them completely. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the three standard ways of treating cancer. Any combination of these methods may be used. The method of treatment depends upon the location of the cancer, its size and its type of growth. The effect of the treatment depends upon the type of cancer and how far it has spread.