For centuries, humans have encountered life changing events that changed us forever. One of the most common disasters in history is diseases. Various diseases have claimed millions of peoples lives. With time, we learnt to treat or prevent some of them. For other diseases, we have not been so lucky and they continue to kill us in numbers. Of these, is cancer, and specifically, bladder and kidney cancer.
Although there are different types of cancers, they all begin in the same way. Cell division is a closely regulated process in the body with numerous proteins and enzymes controlling every aspect of this process. When the mechanism to control cell proliferation fails, cells continue dividing resulting in a lump known as a tumour that may spread to other parts of the body and becomes cancer.
Bladder and kidney cancers affect the respective organs. It affects both men and the opposite sex too although it is more common in men. In addition, it affects a significant proportion of the population and kills almost half of every case. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for the disease as it is the cause of at least half of most of these new cases. Some industrial chemicals, chronic irritation that are from schistosomiasis and long-term exposure to some of these drugs also predisposes one to the diseases.
The most common symptom associated with both diseases is the appearance of blood or blood clots in the urine. Other symptoms include pain or burning during urination, frequent passage of urine and feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied lower back pain on one side of ones body and feeling to urinate but not able to pass the urine.
By the time blood is spotted in urine and a cancer diagnosis is given, the disease has spread to other parts of ones body. Consequently, there may be other symptoms depending on which part of the body is infected. For instance, shortness of breath if its already in the lungs and jaundice if its in the liver.
Diagnosis is usually by cystoscopy or a biopsy. A CT or X-ray may determine whether cancer has spread. If it remains on the bladders inner surface and grow and divide slowly, the risk of death is less than 5%. Such tumours may be removed completely during cystoscopy. Sometimes, a part or the whole organ may be removed. Other treatment options include radiation and chemotherapy.
Since smoking is a high-risk factor for contracting cancer of the kidney and bladder it needs to be stopped. Quitting smoking is never easy but there are various support groups to help. Additionally, it is essential to lead an active life in order to avert the risk of disease. Eating whole foods, fruits and vegetables is also a good way to avert the risk of developing the disease.
Leading a healthy life is the only way to reduce the chances of developing the disease. Eating, exercising and quitting smoking are healthy lifestyle habits that can significantly reduce ones risk for the disease. This will have to work until we can develop a cure or at least, a vaccine.
Although there are different types of cancers, they all begin in the same way. Cell division is a closely regulated process in the body with numerous proteins and enzymes controlling every aspect of this process. When the mechanism to control cell proliferation fails, cells continue dividing resulting in a lump known as a tumour that may spread to other parts of the body and becomes cancer.
Bladder and kidney cancers affect the respective organs. It affects both men and the opposite sex too although it is more common in men. In addition, it affects a significant proportion of the population and kills almost half of every case. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for the disease as it is the cause of at least half of most of these new cases. Some industrial chemicals, chronic irritation that are from schistosomiasis and long-term exposure to some of these drugs also predisposes one to the diseases.
The most common symptom associated with both diseases is the appearance of blood or blood clots in the urine. Other symptoms include pain or burning during urination, frequent passage of urine and feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied lower back pain on one side of ones body and feeling to urinate but not able to pass the urine.
By the time blood is spotted in urine and a cancer diagnosis is given, the disease has spread to other parts of ones body. Consequently, there may be other symptoms depending on which part of the body is infected. For instance, shortness of breath if its already in the lungs and jaundice if its in the liver.
Diagnosis is usually by cystoscopy or a biopsy. A CT or X-ray may determine whether cancer has spread. If it remains on the bladders inner surface and grow and divide slowly, the risk of death is less than 5%. Such tumours may be removed completely during cystoscopy. Sometimes, a part or the whole organ may be removed. Other treatment options include radiation and chemotherapy.
Since smoking is a high-risk factor for contracting cancer of the kidney and bladder it needs to be stopped. Quitting smoking is never easy but there are various support groups to help. Additionally, it is essential to lead an active life in order to avert the risk of disease. Eating whole foods, fruits and vegetables is also a good way to avert the risk of developing the disease.
Leading a healthy life is the only way to reduce the chances of developing the disease. Eating, exercising and quitting smoking are healthy lifestyle habits that can significantly reduce ones risk for the disease. This will have to work until we can develop a cure or at least, a vaccine.
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