Demystifying Cancer: Key Insights for Better Understanding
Cancer can be a complex and intimidating topic, but knowledge is a powerful tool in navigating it. In our latest blog post, we break down the essentials of what cancer is, how it develops, and the latest advancements in treatment. Join us as we simplify the science behind cancer and empower yourself with the information you need to make informed decisions. Dive in to uncover the facts and gain a clearer perspective on this challenging disease.
Understanding Cancer: A Guide for Patients
By Laura Velasco Centella, PT
What is Cancer?
Cancer refers to a group of diseases that can begin in almost any organ or tissue of the body. It happens when a group of cells become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, potentially invading nearby tissues and spreading to other parts of the body.
Normal and Abnormal Cell Development
Healthy Cells vs. Cancerous Cells
Our bodies are made up of billions of cells, each containing DNA that acts like an instruction manual. This manual tells cells how to grow, function, reproduce, and die. When cells are damaged or old, they are supposed to self-destruct through a process called apoptosis.
However, cancerous cells have mutations in their DNA, which means they follow incorrect instructions. These mutations can be inherited, occur as we age, result from unhealthy lifestyles, or be caused by exposure to carcinogens like tobacco smoke or UV light. Because of these faulty instructions, cancerous cells don’t die when they should and instead grow and divide uncontrollably.
Unmasking the Enemy: The hallmarks of a cancer cell reveal the intricate strategies it uses to thrive and spread. Understanding these can be the key to unlocking better treatments.
Tumors: Benign vs. Malignant
Tumors are lumps or masses of cells. Not all tumors are cancerous:
Benign Tumors: These do not invade other tissues or organs and typically grow slowly. They may need to be removed if they cause complications by pressing on nearby structures. (1)
Malignant Tumors: These are cancerous. They can invade nearby tissues and spread to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, a process called metastasis. (1)
Characteristics of Cancer Cells
Despite the variety of cancers, cancer cells share common traits: (2,3)
Rapid and uncontrolled growth.
Avoidance of apoptosis.
Ability to invade other tissues.
Formation of new blood vessels to supply the tumor.
Altered metabolism to support rapid growth.
Evasion of the immune system.
Cancer Treatments
There are many types of cancer and thus many treatment options, including:
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Hormone therapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapy
Gene therapy
Often, a combination of treatments is used to achieve the best results. As our understanding of cancer improves, new treatments are continuously being developed. (4)
Cure and Remission
A cancer treatment aims to eliminate the disease or reduce it to a state where the patient can live a normal life. A cure means the cancer is completely gone and is not expected to return. However, doctors often use the term "remission" to describe a state where cancer is undetectable and not causing symptoms, as it’s rare to be certain that cancer will never come back. (5)
The Vital Role of Exercise in Cancer Care
Exercise is not only safe for cancer patients but highly beneficial. Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can significantly improve your health and well-being during and after cancer treatment. Here's why exercise is crucial: (6,7)
Reduces Treatment Side Effects: Exercise helps alleviate common side effects of cancer treatments, such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve sleep quality and reduce pain.
Boosts Physical Function: Regular exercise strengthens your muscles, enhances flexibility, and improves cardiovascular health, making daily activities easier and more manageable.
Enhances Treatment Efficacy: Exercise can improve blood flow to tumors, helping treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy work more effectively. Better blood circulation also aids in delivering more oxygen to the tumor, which can inhibit its growth. (8)
Prevents Recurrence: Studies have shown that regular exercise can lower the risk of cancer recurrence and improve survival rates for certain types of cancer.
Supports Immune Function: Physical activity strengthens your immune system, helping your body fight cancer cells more effectively. It can also reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for overall health. (9)
Promotes Mental Health: Exercise is a natural mood booster. It releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and provide a sense of well-being, helping you cope better with the emotional challenges of cancer.
Improves Quality of Life: By maintaining a regular exercise routine, you can enhance your overall quality of life, giving you more energy and a positive outlook.
Modulating the Tumor: Enhancing therapy by targeting the tumor's unique environment for more effective treatment outcomes.
Starting an Exercise Program
Before starting an exercise program, it is important to assess your health status. Knowing your baseline health allows you to measure progress and tailor a safe and effective exercise plan. Starting with low-intensity activities like walking or cycling is usually safe and beneficial, but it’s essential to consult your doctor, especially if you have other health conditions. We can't improve what we do not measure, so understanding your starting point is key to making meaningful progress.
Cedar Rock Wellness: Here to Help
At Cedar Rock Wellness, we combine technology and science to help you on your path to better health. Whether you're undergoing cancer treatment or in remission, our team is ready to support you in improving your physical fitness and overall well-being. Visit us to start your journey toward better health.
REFERENCES:
1. Patel A. Benign vs Malignant Tumors. JAMA Oncol. 2020 Sep 1;6(9):1488. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2592. PMID: 32729930.
2. Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell. 2011 Mar 4;144(5):646-74. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.02.013. PMID: 21376230.
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5. Can Cancer Be Cured? American Cancer Society. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/can-cancer-be-cured.html
6. Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, May AM, Schwartz AL, Courneya KS, Zucker DS, Matthews CE, Ligibel JA, Gerber LH, Morris GS, Patel AV, Hue TF, Perna FM, Schmitz KH. Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Nov;51(11):2375-2390. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002116. PMID: 31626055; PMCID: PMC8576825.
7. Schmitz KH, Campbell AM, Stuiver MM, Pinto BM, Schwartz AL, Morris GS, Ligibel JA, Cheville A, Galvão DA, Alfano CM, Patel AV, Hue T, Gerber LH, Sallis R, Gusani NJ, Stout NL, Chan L, Flowers F, Doyle C, Helmrich S, Bain W, Sokolof J, Winters-Stone KM, Campbell KL, Matthews CE. Exercise is medicine in oncology: Engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer. CA Cancer J Clin. 2019 Nov;69(6):468-484. doi: 10.3322/caac.21579. Epub 2019 Oct 16. PMID: 31617590; PMCID: PMC7896280.
8. Esteves M, Monteiro MP, Duarte JA. Role of Regular Physical Exercise in Tumor Vasculature: Favorable Modulator of Tumor Milieu. Int J Sports Med. 2021 May;42(5):389-406. doi: 10.1055/a-1308-3476. Epub 2020 Dec 11. PMID: 33307553.
9. Spiliopoulou P, Gavriatopoulou M, Kastritis E, Dimopoulos MA, Terzis G. Exercise-Induced Changes in Tumor Growth via Tumor Immunity. Sports (Basel). 2021 Mar 30;9(4):46. doi: 10.3390/sports9040046. PMID: 33808154; PMCID: PMC8065770.