Usually, the word cancer is equated with death. However, busting the common myth, health experts say that most cancers may be cured fully if diagnosed early. Late detection is one of the highest reasons behind poor survival rates. On the World Cancer Day on February 4,  THE HEALTH PIONEER sheds light on some most common types of cancer in India and the causes behind them.

TYPES OF CANCERS

* Gall Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer risk factors include smoking, genetic mutations, and exposure to certain chemicals. Speaking on the rise in gallbladder-related illness, Dr Sushma Bhatnagar, the head of National Cancer Institute of India said, "Cases of gallbladder cases in women have been on the rise especially in the north-eastern parts of the country and settlements beside rivers."

*Cervical Cancer

Screening tests and the HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer.

*Colorectal Cancer

If you are 45 years old or older, get screened. Screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer or find it early, when treatment works best.

*Gynecologic Cancers

Five main types of cancer affect a woman’s reproductive organs: breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. As a group, they are called gynecologic cancers.

*Breast Cancer

Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.

*Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. But when ovarian cancer is found early, treatment works best.

*Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system.

*Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers

Vaginal and vulvar cancers are rare, but all women are at risk for these cancers.

*Head and Neck Cancers

Cancers of the head and neck include cancers that start in several places in the head and throat, not including brain cancers or cancers of the eye.

*Kidney Cancer

To lower your risk of kidney and renal pelvis cancers, keep a healthy weight. Don’t smoke, or quit if you do.

*Liver Cancer

To lower your risk for liver cancer, get vaccinated against hepatitis B, get tested for hepatitis C, and avoid drinking too much alcohol.

*Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. To lower your risk, quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, and get your home tested for radon.

*Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that start in the lymph system. The two main kinds are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

*Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma, the cells grow too much, forming a mass or tumor in the bone marrow.

*Prostate Cancer

Most prostate cancers grow slowly and don’t cause any health problems. Learn more and talk to your doctor before you decide to get tested or treated for prostate cancer.

*Skin Cancer

To lower your skin cancer risk, protect your skin from the sun and avoid indoor tanning.

*Thyroid Cancer

The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck. It sends out hormones that help control many activities in the body.

MOST COMMON CAUSEs FOR CANCER

TOBACCO

Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer. People who use tobacco products have an increased risk of cancer because tobacco products and secondhand smoke have many chemicals that damage DNA.

Tobacco use causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. People who use smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) have increased risks of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.

Dr SVS Deo, Professor of Surgical Oncology at AIIMS Delhi says, “Smoking and consumption of alcohol account for 30 per cent of total cancer cases. If we can somehow curb the usage of these deadly items, cancer cases will go down.”

Environmental

Pollution

Environmental pollutants like arsenic, chromium, nickel, asbestos, dioxins besides tobacco are the major cause for lung cancer and gall bladder in India.

Dr Bhatnagar said, a major chunk of cancer cases are a result of air pollution, water pollution and an unhealthy lifestyle. Air pollution has also led an increase in the cases of cervical cancer. Delhi NCR witnessed 22000 cases of cancer last year of which 50 per cent of cases were treated at the National Cancer Institute, AIIMS."