What is cancer?

Breast cancer:

Among Indian women, breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Indian women overall .Breast cancer is the malignant tumor (a tumor with the potential to invade other tissues or spread to other parts of the body) that starts in the cells of the breast. It occurs both in men and women. However male breast cancer is rare .

Oral cancer:

Oral cancers develop on the tongue, the tissue lining the mouth and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the area of the throat at the back of the mouth.

Lung cancer:

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide

Cervical cancer:

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease as it has a well defined, long pre-malignant phase which can be detected by regular screening tests and follow up. Unfortunately, most women in India are not aware about the screening.

Leukemia

Cancers that begin in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow are called leukemias. Large numbers of abnormal white blood cells (leukemia cells and leukemic blast cells) build up in the blood and bone marrow leads to low level of normal blood cells. And this reduces the flow of oxygen to body and its tissues and make it harder for the body to get oxygen to its tissues.

There are four major types of leukemia:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): This is the most common type of acute leukemia. It is more common in older adults (those over 65 years of age) and in men compared with women. About 4.3 per 100,000 men and women or 21,400 new cases of AML per year are diagnosed in the United States.
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): This is the most common type of leukemia in children, teens, young adults and those up to 39 years of age. About 54% of new cases occur in those under the age of 20. It is more common in persons of Hispanic and White origin. About 1.7 per 100,000 men and women or 5,900 new cases of ALL per year are diagnosed in the United States.
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): This leukemia is more common in older adults (most common in those over 65 years of age) and in men. It rarely occurs in children. About 1.9 per 100,000 men and women or 8,900 new cases of CML per year are diagnosed in the United States.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): This is the most common chronic leukemia in adults (most common in those over 65 years of age). It is more common in men than women and especially in white men. About 4.9 per 100,000 men and women or 20,700 new cases of CLL per year are diagnosed in the United States.