Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death. Every cell in the body is able to become cancerous; and, everyday, many cells in your body become cancerous. But, normally, your immune system, at work in a body strengthened by good nutrition and good living habits, overcomes those malignant cells and eliminates them.

Types Of Cancer

Although there are over a hundred different types of cancer, all of them generally fall under just five categories:

1. Carcinomas
These are the most common types of cancer. These are tumors which originate in body tissues and cover a surface or line internal organs. Such malignancies include skin, breast, lung, and intestinal cancers.

2. Lymphomas
These are cancers of the lymph system, which consists of a series of glands which filter out impurities from the body. Lymph glands are found in the neck, armpits, spleen, and groin. In the United States, the most common forms are Hodgkin’s disease and non- Hodgkin’s lymphomas. In central Africa, Burkitt’s lymphoma is common.

3. Leukemias
These are cancers which originate in the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. They are not solid tumors, but produce an excess of white blood cells.

4. Sarcomas
These originate in connective tissue and muscles; they attack bones, muscles, cartilage, or the lymph system. They are the rarest of the malignant tumors and also the most deadly.

5. Myelomas
These are also rare tumors, and begin in the plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Signs Of Cysts And Polyps

Here are several generalized signs of cysts and polyps. These, of course, are not definitive.

In the nose
Chronic difficulty in breathing through the nose.

In the colon
Bleeding or a mucous drainage from the rectum are common symptoms.

In the bladder
Blood in the urine.

In the cervix
A heavy watery, bloody, discharge from the vagina; bleeding may occur after intercourse, between periods, and after menopause.

Signs Of Skin Cancer

Skin cancers are far more common. Everyone should be aware of the signs:
Look for a tumor or lump under the skin, resembling a wart or an ulceration that never heals; moles that change color or size; flat sores; and lesions that look like moles.

Here are the five official warning signs of skin cancer:

  1. An open sore that bleeds, crusts over, and will not heal properly.
  2. A reddish, irritated spot that is usually on the chest, shoulder, arm, or leg. It may itch, hurt, or cause no discomfort at all.
  3. A smooth growth with an elevated border and a center indentation. As it becomes bigger, tiny blood vessels develop on the surface.
  4. A shiny scar-like area that may be white, yellow, or waxy with a shiny, taut appearance.
  5. An enlarging, irregular, “angry” appearing lesion on the face, lips, or ears.

Here is a description of one of the more common types of skin cancer: large flat, tan or brown, spots with a darker black or brown area dotted on its surface. The edges may, or may not, be clearly defined. The spot may appear mottled.

Moles should also be watched, especially those that change in size or color, are irregularly shaped, have ridges around the edges, widen, bleed, itch, or seem to be continually irritated by clothing.

Here are still more identifiers of skin cancer, the so-called “A-B-C-D checklist”:

  • Asymmetry: Both sides of the mole should be shaped similarly. If the overall shape is irregular, then it might be skin cancer.
  • Border: The edges of moles should be smooth, not blurred or ragged.
  • Color: It should be tan, brown, and dark brown if it is normal. If it is red, white, blue, or black, it is not.
  • Diameter: Any mole that is larger than ¼ inch in diameter, or whose diameter seems to be increasing, should be treated with suspicion.

Spots which are dry, red, and scaly (most frequently found on the face, neck, or backs of hands) may be actinic (solar) keratosis. These are lesions which result from years of overexposure to the sun. They can be precancerous. Later they may become hard to the touch and grayish or brown in color.

Signs Of Breast Cancer

Skin cancers are far more common. Everyone should be aware of the signs:
Look for a tumor or lump under the skin, resembling a wart or an ulceration that never heals; moles that change color or size; flat sores; and lesions that look like moles.

Here are special warning indications of breast cancer:
Lump(s), thickening, and other physical changes in the breast; itching, redness, and/or soreness of the nipples not associated with breast-feeding.

In the most common types:
Lumps are firm, do not go away, and are generally pain free. Lumps which do not move around may be malignant or may not be.

In another type:
There is itching, redness, and soreness of the nipple.

In yet a third type:
The breast becomes extremely tender and appears infected with something.

These three are explained in more detail below. There are several different types of breast cancer. Most of them are similar, producing lumps described above. But a few are different:

Paget’s disease of the nipple, affects the nipple, and cannot be detected by a self-examination. Cancer cells have migrated to the nipple. The symptoms are itching, redness, and soreness of the nipple. This form of cancer only occurs when a different form of cancer is present elsewhere in breast tissue.

Inflammatory carcinoma, is a different type. The skin thickens and turns red. The breast becomes extremely tender and appears infected with something. The lymphatic, and blood, vessels have become clogged because of a tumor.

This type of cancer spreads very rapidly. Professionals recommend a biopsy; but, if you choose not to do so, you must be planning to go on an intense natural remedies cleansing to eliminate the problem. Whatever you do, you had better set to work and do it.

Signs Of Other Cancers

Here are signs of thirteen other cancers:

Lung
A persistent cough, sputum with blood, chest pain.

Colon
Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, and changes in bowel habits (such as persistent diarrhea and /or constipation).

Bladder and kidney
Blood in the urine, pain and burning with urination, increased frequency of urination.

Leukemia
Paleness, fatigue, weight loss, repeated infections, easy bruising, bone and joint pain, nosebleeds.

Mouth and throat
A chronic ulcer of the mouth, tongue, or throat that does not heal.

Stomach
Indigestion and pain after eating, weight loss.

Laryngeal
Persistent cough, hoarse throat.

Lymphoma
Enlarged, rubbery lymph nodes; itching; night sweats; unexplained fever and / or weight loss.

Prostate
Weak or interrupted urine flow; continuous pain in the lower back, pelvis, and / or upper back.

Cervical and uterine
Bleeding between menstrual periods, unusual discharge, painful menstrual periods, heavy periods.

Endometrial
Bleeding between periods, unusual discharge, painful menstrual periods, heavy periods.

Ovarian
Often no obvious symptoms until it is in its later stages of development.

Testicular
Lump(s), enlargement of a testicle, thickening of the scrotum, sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum, pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum, mild ache in the lower abdomen or groin, enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.