ANYONE CAN ATTACK CANCER
The human body is composed of billions of cells. On the way, the growth of these cells could be
that raged out of control and become cancer cells. This condition makes the cancer can strike
anyone. "Cancer cells exist in every human body," said Chairman of the Association of
Physicians Internal Medicine Hematology Medical Oncology Indonesia (Perhompedin) Prof
Haryanto Reksodiputro Arry on the sidelines of the National Congress Perhompedin I in Jakarta
in early February.
Each cell has a different task, depending on the tissue and organ formation. Cell growth is
controlled by genes in the cell nucleus. This gene ensures the growth of cells occurs in a
controlled manner, from time to breed, the time for cells to stop reproducing, put yourself in the
proper place, to destroy yourself in the event of damage.
According to the Center for Cancer Research UK (Cancer Research UK), each cell has the ability
to reproduce by splitting themselves up to 50-60 times before it finally dies. If any of the cell
proliferation, did not follow the supposed mechanism, the cell will kill themselves (apoptosis).
However, not all of the normal cells can take place. If there is a change or mutation of the gene,
the cells will form a specific protein that makes it unable to self-destruct. This damage also
makes the cells continue to proliferate despite exceeding the maximum capacity to divide and are
not bound by the code or signals from such cells.
The cells are not normal is constantly evolving and growing more and more, to form a tumor.
Form of tumor is generally not supposed to be a lump on the body.
These lumps can be benign or malignant. A benign tumor because of his cell covered with a kind
of capsule that makes the abnormal cells did not spread. If there is no abnormal cell protector,
the cell will spread to various parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymph system.
"To know that abnormal cells are benign or malignant, can only be determined in the anatomic
pathology laboratory," said the doctor of pediatric cancer Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Edi
Setiawan Tehuteru, mid-January.
When the tumor grew, the cell nucleus will be more far from the bloodstream. These conditions
threaten the survival of cells due to survive, cells need food and oxygen from the bloodstream.
Therefore, cancer cells will stimulate the surrounding normal cells to form new blood vessels so
that blood flow remains unacceptable cancer cells.
"This is what makes the body emaciated cancer patients because of its nutritional supply of
cancer cells is taken," said Edi.
Gene mutation
Changes in the gene that makes cells grow should not be triggered by many things. Cancer risk
factors include heredity (genetics), age, chemicals, viruses, and radiation.
If the three-generation family two family members suffering from cancer, other family members
a greater risk of getting cancer.
Examples of chemicals that cause cancer (carcinogenic substances) in cigarette smoke. However,
not all smokers will develop lung cancer because no single cause of cancer.
The cancer-causing virus do not work like a virus that causes infections in other diseases.
Viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) that trigger cervical cancer genetics system will
damage the cell so that the cells grow into cancer cells.
Radiation can trigger cancer from sun exposure or nuclear radiation from natural or synthetic
sources.
Age becomes a big risk factor for cancer. As we get older, the greater the likelihood of genetic
errors. At the same time, these factors trigger other cancers are also more easily attacked.
Center for Cancer Research UK said, there are about 200 types of cancer that are distinguished
by the type or types of cells. One source will cause a cancer-causing certain types of cancer and
do not trigger other types of cancer. For example, smoking will lead to lung cancer, but it will
not lead to skin cancer (melanoma). And vice versa.
Nevertheless, it is not easy for normal cells to turn into cancer cells. Center for Cancer Research
UK said it takes at least six different mutations before they become cancer cells.
At the beginning of the mutation, the cells still have the ability to self-destruct. If not, the
immune system detects and kills cells that have mutated. "To become cancerous, a cell takes 15-
20 years," said Arry.
Prevent abnormal cell so as not to be done by keeping mengganas lifestyle, start by eating
fibrous foods, be active, maintain weight, and avoid secondhand smoke.
This is in line with the UK Cancer Research Center. One-third of cancer cases in Britain in
connection with cigarettes, alcohol, diet, and excess weight. Excessive consumption of red meat
and less fruit and vegetable consumption increases cancer risk.
"From experience in Dharmais Hospital, the patients with colon cancer is almost certainly not
like to eat fruit and vegetables," said Edi.