Let’s Beat Cancer

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Jackqueline Ramales

Professor Naomi Leimsider

English 101

22, October 2017

                                                          Let’s Beat Cancer

A Cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. The word “Cancer” frightens each and every individual.

Scientists have discovered that chemotherapy, radiation and surgery have improved the survival rate in cancer patients.

As noted by William Nelson in “Metabolism and Cancer” (pg.9) “All Cancers start as a single rouge that begins reproducing itself uncontrollably”

Combinations of cells duplicate from DNA, RNA, Protein, Fat and carbohydrates, leading to the spread of cancerous cells.

Oncogenes promote carcinogenesis and tumor suppressor genes suppress tumor cell growth. If unchecked, cells can spread or metastasize causing the invasion of tumors into other organs.

In 1924 Otto H. Warburg, Physician Scientist recognized that cancer cells metabolized glucose to lactate despite the presence of oxygen this phenomenon is called the Warburg effect.

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It has been demonstrated that smoking, obesity, high levels of glucose, high levels of insulin and cholesterol have been linked to many types of cancers.

On the other hand Metformin, a medication used to treat diabetes, lower blood sugar levels thereby lowering insulin levels may benefit patients with cancer. Metformin helps to slow down the metabolism of cells thus preventing cells from multiplying faster and promoting tumor growth.

Although Metformin helps prevent the multiplication of cells and slow down metabolism it is not considered an approved treatment for cancer.

Radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the treatments used for cancer treatment.  

Dr. Norman Rosen, Interviewed on October, 2017 Stated “tumors should be definitively diagnosed by performing a biopsy” – tissue sample collected from the body or organ.

Biopsies are interpreted by a pathologist for diagnosis.

The staging of cancer is based upon T, N, M, System where the T equals Tumor size, the N equals Number of lymph nodes present and M equals the presence or absence of Metastasis.

Staging is important because it helps oncologists determine which treatments are necessary.

If a cancer is just localized to just one area, a local treatment such as surgery or radiotherapy can be utilized to eradicate the tumor.

If a cancer has metastasized, the local treatment is inadequate. The patient will need systemic treatment which affects the whole body. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapies are examples of systemic treatments.

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Lung, Colon, Melanoma, Bladder, Breast, and Kidney Cancers are treated with surgery, radiation, hormone and possible chemotherapy, depending on the stage.

Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple myeloma could be treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Multiple myeloma and Leukemia are also treated with immunotherapy.

Symptoms can be local or systemic. Systemic symptoms are related to more advanced cancers and can relate to tiredness, fatigue, fevers, night sweats and weight loss.  

Local symptoms are related to where the tumor is present in the body. For example, gastro intestinal cancer symptoms can include bleeding, cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. Some Patients do not present with any symptoms.