Charity Blogging for Cancer Awareness

Seldom have I heard of a family who has not greatly suffered due to cancer.  Be it having lost a dear family member or they themselves are suffering from the illness.

But what exactly is cancer?  And is there a way to prevent it?

Cancer ribbon
(Photo credit: Wylio.com)

According to the cancer.gov website, cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues.  Accordingly, these abnomal cells do not remain stagnant and can spread to other body parts by use of our blood and lymph systems.

There are actually more than 100 (!) types of cancer, which are normally named after the body part or region it infects.  For instance, a cancer that forms in the breast is known as breast cancer, one that starts in the prostate is known as prostate cancer, and so on and so forth.

Cancer starts in a human cell.  Normally, cells divide, mutiply and everntually die to be replaced by new ones to keep the body functioning at its optimum capacity.  A cell, however, when it becomes damaged or changed, can produce an abnormal mutation affecting its normal processing -- instead of dying, these cells last longer but still new ones are being produced.  These extra cells may may form lumps or masses of tissue called a tumor.

There are instances when a tumor is benign (not cancerous).  They can be surgically taken out and often do not appear again.  On the other hand, malignant tumors are the ones we need to watch out for as cells in them may invade other parts of the body.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE...

The key to preventing cancer is actually quite simple -- Live a healthy lifestyle!

By exercising, eating the right foods and having enough rest, one can definitely lower one's risk of contacting this disease.  It is also wise to monitor any abnormal changes in the body and do frequent medical screening and check-ups to catch the instance of cancer before its occurs or spreads.

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Stef of life and fever is inviting all bloggers to join her Charity Blogging for Cancer Awareness project.  For every 10 bloggers who post a 300-word entry regarding cancer and its effects, she will donate a Prosure package (a vital nutritional formula that helps manage weight loss due to cancer) to CanShare.  View full details here.


Please do your part and help his very admirable advocacy.

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A whole day event dedicated to cancer awareness will be held in December.  Visit Stef's life and fever blog for more updates.