What is cancer?

[Admin]

I am sure most of us know that cancer kills. But do you really understand what is cancer?

Well, to begin with, you must understand that the human body is made up of millions of cells. A group of cells of the same type is known as tissue e.g. muscle tissues are made up of muscle cells. A group of different tissues form an organ which has function(s) to carry out e.g. the liver. Few organs will work together in a system for example the kidneys and the bladders belong to urinary system. These body systems make us "alive"

Cancer is a condition where there are a group of cells with abnormal growth. How are theY abnormal? The cells of our body grow not only by increasing in size but also in number by cell division. The processes of cell growth and function are controled by genetic codes (DNA) in the cells. The codes set the program for cell growth and functions. If any error occurs in the coding, the cell will behave abnormally. Cancer cells are cells with "abnormal" DNA. They keep dividing without knowing when to stop. They do not carry out the normal jobs other normal cells do. They can also "invade" other tissues or organs and if this happens, we say the cancer has spread.

I hope you understand the term "cancer" better now.

By Dr. Teoh KA

[azaliha]

Dr Teoh,

Thank you for the explaination. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 but after 2 years, last 2 months her cancer reoccur, but not on the same location, but spread around her chest. My question... she want to try cupping treatment (in Malaysia we called BEKAM) and postponing her chemo treatment. I already bought the set of cupping for her although I myself not really confident with this treatment. What is your opinion on this traditional cupping method?

[Marryly]

There are lots of natural therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion for treating the breast cancer,I think it is much better to treat the breast cancer by cupping together with the herbal medication.

[dr_mathew]

There are lots of natural therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion for treating the breast cancer,I think it is much better to treat the breast cancer by cupping together with the herbal medication.

OMG!!! PLEASE...................!!!!!!
I am not anti-traditional medicine. But from my PROFESSIONAL point of view as  a MEDICAL DOCTOR, I strongly discourage your sister to undergo any sort of therapy other than those suggested by your doctor!!
This is because breast cancer if detected early can be treated and the cancer  grows and spreads VERY FAST. If your sister is lucky to have the cancer in one of its earliest stage, surgical removal of the cancer is possible!! PLEASE DO NOT WAIT ANYMORE!!! CONSULT YOUR DOCOTR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! I am telling you this again and again because I have seen many patients died because of late treatment as they rather tried traditional treatment first, presented to us only in the late stage of the disease!!

P/S: TO THOSE SO CALL "TRADITIONAL HEALER", Please if you were to persue someone especially those with serious illness like cancer to try you treatment, DO SHOW US VALID STUDIES AND PROOF!! We are practising eveidence-based medicine. If your treament method is backed up by valid researches and studies, I am more than happy to learn from you. If not, Please do not give wrong message although I know this is a forum for discussion, not meant for giving advice.
Thanks.

[Admin]

Dr Teoh,

Thank you for the explaination. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 but after 2 years, last 2 months her cancer reoccur, but not on the same location, but spread around her chest. My question... she want to try cupping treatment (in Malaysia we called BEKAM) and postponing her chemo treatment. I already bought the set of cupping for her although I myself not really confident with this treatment. What is your opinion on this traditional cupping method?

Dear Aza,
I totally agree with Dr Mathew. If chemotherapy is offered to your sister, I asume the disease is already at its later stage. But still I don't think your sister should postponed the treatment and the reasons have been clearly mentioned by Dr Mathew.
Having said that, chemotherapy has complications too such as lowered immune system, loss of appetite, nausea & vomiting etc. Your sister should discuss this matter further with her doctor to see whether chemotherapy can be done or only supportivre treatment.

[stabilo]

dear Aza, can you please explain more about the cupping treatment?

[azaliha]

Dear all Dr,

My sister have already completed the treatment for her breast cancer. She have done mastectomy and re constructive surgery in 2/3/05. After that she has already completed chemo therapy, 20 session of radiotherapy and the last one is hormon therapy. All was done in 2005. But unfortunately Dec 07 last year, doctor detected another lump around her chest.

If all the treatment & surgery have already done and completed early, why its comes again? That's why my sister do not have trust anymore on this treatment.

Stabilo, I do not really know about cupping treatment. Its a Chinese traditional treatment that using suction power and needle to remove toxic gases and blood. I bought it from here! http://cupping.xaper.com/   Its was sold by a medical doctor.

[drbalo]

Dear all Dr,

My sister have already completed the treatment for her breast cancer. She have done mastectomy and re constructive surgery in 2/3/05. After that she has already completed chemo therapy, 20 session of radiotherapy and the last one is hormon therapy. All was done in 2005. But unfortunately Dec 07 last year, doctor detected another lump around her chest.

If all the treatment & surgery have already done and completed early, why its comes again? That's why my sister do not have trust anymore on this treatment.

Stabilo, I do not really know about cupping treatment. Its a Chinese traditional treatment that using suction power and needle to remove toxic gases and blood. I bought it from here! http://cupping.xaper.com/   Its was sold by a medical doctor.

Dear Aza,

I understand your sister and your frustration. It looks like when the cancer was detected, it was already mid-to-late stage. That's why so many forms of treatment was offered. And if it was already at that stage, recurrence is expected in months to years' time. And this is the time that the cancer has come back or what known as recurrence. Sad to say, it is a bad sign and usually palliative treatment will only be offered. Having said so I think you should go back to your doctor for further decision. As far as I know, there is no treatment for recurrence, meaning to cure it. That's why it is cancer!
Well, at this stage, you can try whatever treatment you want and update us on your sister's progress, although I personally don't think it will work (may be psychologically yes). As long as it makes you and your sister feel better, I have no objection at all. After all, that's the purpose of palliative care, to minimise the suffering of patients with terminal illness. I feel very sorry for you and your sister  :'( but this is the disease (breast cancer) prosess.
You made a good suggestion in the "support group" section of this forum. I urge the administrator of this forum to have a new board for cancer support group.

Do update us frequently in the new board for cancer if any.
Hear from you soon, Aza.

[Admin]

Thanks Dr Balo and Aza. New Board for Cancer has been created. Aza, you can post further questions and info in the new breast cancer support group here:  http://www.emedinews.com/index.php/board,155.0.html

Do update us regarding your sister's progress in the new board created for you and other breast cancer patients and their family & friends.

[stabilo]

dear aza,

i'm sorry to hear about your sister's condition.
she must have gone thru a lot of hardship 
continue to encourage her
not to give up 

by the way, how is she doing right now?
is she feeling very ill?
did the doctor say anything about her prognosis?

[aliun]

Thanks for info

[omnimdism]

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, do not invade or metastasize.

For more details, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer

[spikegomez]

thanks for a great information about cancer... now i know what is really a cancer is....