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Histopathology of colon cancer
Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division.
🎗️ Key Fact: Approximately 20 million new cancer cases are diagnosed each year, with 10 million cancer-related deaths.
Most Common Cancers (2024)
| Cancer Type | New Cases (Annual) | Deaths (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Lung Cancer | 2.5 Million | 1.8 Million |
| Breast Cancer | 2.3 Million | 685,000 |
| Colorectal Cancer | 1.9 Million | 935,000 |
| Prostate Cancer | 1.4 Million | 375,000 |
| Stomach Cancer | 1.1 Million | 770,000 |
Cancer Treatment Modalities
- Surgery – Physical removal of tumors
- Chemotherapy – Systemic drug treatment
- Radiation Therapy – High-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells
- Immunotherapy – Stimulating the immune system
- Targeted Therapy – Drugs targeting specific molecules
- Hormonal Therapy – Blocking hormone receptors
Cancer Risk Factors
- Smoking and tobacco use (responsible for 25% of cancer deaths)
- Diet and lifestyle (processed foods, alcohol, physical inactivity)
- Genetic predisposition (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome)
- Environmental factors (pollution, UV radiation)
- Infections (HPV, hepatitis B/C, H. pylori)
Cancer Screening
- Breast: Mammography (age 40+)
- Cervical: Pap smear (age 21+)
- Colorectal: Colonoscopy (age 45+)
- Lung: Low-dose CT (high-risk patients)
- Prostate: PSA blood test (age 50+)
"The war on cancer is a war fought with knowledge, not just weapons." – Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee
Oncologist, Author of "The Emperor of All Maladies"