Understanding and Addressing Cancer and Non-Cancerous Symptoms

Every one of you, at a certain point in life, would have experienced some sort of disease, and the first thing you would have done was to Google search the disease from websites across the world. Some of those results would certainly have pointed towards the likelihood of cancer. This sure will create a wave of upset and panic around you. As we are in the digital era that further proceeds with artificial intelligence, it is inevitable that the medical field slowly incorporates along with advanced technology that leaves patients with lots of confusion regarding the precision these systems offer. While symptoms related to cancer receive a lot of attention, symptoms from non-cancerous diseases should also be identified and managed. Establishing a connection between these two domains can provide patients with all-encompassing care and assistance. 

In this article, let us shed light on the complete understanding regarding the differences in cancerous and non-cancerous symptoms. 

Cancer cells Vs. Non Cancer cells: 

The human body creates new cells all the time. Normal cells go through the usual cycle of growth, division, and death. Contrarily, cancer cells do not adhere to this cycle. Rather than death, they uncontrollably proliferate and carry on producing more abnormal cells. These cells invade organs like the pancreas, liver, lungs, and breast. The exact cause of this series of events remains unknown. 

Risk factors of cancer:

• Older age individuals tend to develop cancer more often than young adults.
• Having a family history of cancer would increase your chance of developing it.
• Exposure to environmental factors like asbestos, arsenic, and other chemicals increases the chance of developing cancer.
• Heavy alcohol consumption and tobacco use can increase the risk of cancer.
• Exposure to certain infections like HPV, Hepatitis B, C, and helicobacter pyroli increases the risks of acquiring cancer.

Understanding the symptoms of non-cancer and cancer conditions: 

There are certain conditions and symptoms that patients often misconception as the precursor to cancer. Very often, many of us can experience symptoms such as persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel and bladder habits that can be identified as symptoms of cancer. However, there are certain other conditions where these symptoms can occur as well due to various underlying illnesses like autoimmune diseases, infections, or even certain systemic disorders.  

Some of the symptoms are often misinterpreted as potential signs of cancer:

1. Unexplained weight loss: it is often associated with various types of cancers. However, weight loss can often occur due to other conditions like malnutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, thyroid diseases, previous surgeries, or patients with mental health disorders like depression. 
2. Swelling or lumps: normally, cancer is associated with the development of lumps and swells in the tissues where the cancer cells originate, like breast cancer, testicular cancer, or lymph node cancers. This development of lumps can often also be due to cysts, infections, or inflammations. 
3. Skin Variations: New moles or skin lesions are examples of skin changes that are frequently extensively watched for indications of skin cancer. However, not every alteration in the skin is a sign of cancer; benign diseases like dermatitis, eczema, or infections can cause some.
4. Persistent fatigue: It is common for a person to feel fatigued but not for a prolonged period. However, cancer may not be the only reason behind it. Chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, thyroid disorders, and depression can also be reasons behind it.

Patients have often created a stigma around them about the symptoms they develop and misinterpret the ones that are due to an underlying illness with the cancerous condition. This causes increased anxiety and unnecessary medical interventions that frustrate the patient in all aspects.

 Similarly, it is also vice versa in certain cases where the patients experience some cancerous symptoms and disregard them as a normal underlying disease. This is also a very serious condition that needs to be addressed since it can lead to delayed diagnosis in certain cases where the cancer cells have already become metastatic [spreads to other body parts or organs]. 

A proper cancer diagnosis under the guidance of an oncologist is necessary to rule out any risks and complications involved.

Signs that indicate you don’t have a cancer:

Don’t panic. Here are certain signs and symptoms of non-cancerous conditions that indicate that you do not have cancer:

1. No persistent symptoms: if you don’t experience persistent symptoms like unexplained weight loss or fatigue associated with cancer, there is a minimal chance that you can have cancer. 
2. Signals That Have Been Present for a While: Everybody will have some typical indicators present from an early age. Common symptoms like headaches, coughing, feverishness, soreness, indigestion, and allergies don’t automatically mean that you have cancer. Cancer typically progresses slowly, and its symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease. There won’t be just one particular cancer symptom. Every stage of cancer is distinct from the others and will worsen with time.
3. No family history: If any members of your family do not have a previous history or exposure to cancer, then the chance of developing cancer is low.
4. Normal blood findings: A complete blood count, tests for liver function and kidney function, and tumor marker tests will reveal any abnormalities of cancer. As long as it is normal, there is a minimal chance that you can develop cancer. 

Empowering patients: 

The immediate urge to Google their conditions has put a mask on people’s faces that binds them from identifying the originality of their condition. The first and foremost approach to empowering patients is providing adequate knowledge about the common symptoms of cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. It is vital to provide patients with adequate knowledge and enhance their understanding of when to see a doctor, when not to panic, and address their issues with sufficient medical advice. 

As a patient, it is not possible to differentiate between a non-cancerous symptom and a cancerous symptom without the aid of a healthcare professional. But it is mandatory that you get the necessary education and keep an overall track. Monitoring, along with patient education, will help you understand the severity of the case. 

The help of educational resources, online materials, webinars, seminars, and cancer awareness programs guided by an oncologist or a healthcare professional will help create cancer awareness.

In the case of cancer patients, providing them with adequate knowledge of the cancer treatment procedures they undergo, like Cancer drugs used in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, will make patients understand the side effects related to the procedures and effective ways to manage them.

Conclusion: 

The key aspect of patient care will always lie in addressing and understanding the symptoms; it can be effectively achieved by the collaboration between oncologists, physicians, and patients. Empowering the patients with adequate knowledge helps improve their overall well-being and the cancer community.