GYN CHRONICLES
The Cancer Menace
Dr. Maureen Owiti
P
rof. Wangari Muta Maathai, Bob
Collymore, Hon. Ken Okoth,
Governor Joyce Laboso; big names
but what do they have in common? I think
we all know the answer to that. These
great people all succumbed to the dreadful
disease we call cancer!
What is cancer? I’m at great pains to
explain but as simply as I can cancer is a
disease that involves cells losing control
on how they grow or multiply. Different
cells and tissues have to grow and replace
themselves over time and most cells have
a time when they will die what we call
programmed cell death. Some cells lose
this control and therefore start to grow out
of control forming tumors. Not all tumors
are cancerous. Cancerous tumors are those
that are able to spread to other parts of the
body (metastasis) and cause those parts to
start having this abnormal growth.
Cancers encompass more than 100
different diseases and are grouped as
Carcinomas: arising from cells that make
up the skin or lining of organs or glands
such as the breast, kidney, cervix, stomach
and so on and are the most common form
of cancer; Sarcomas: originating from
connective tissue such as bone, cartilage,
fat, muscle, blood vessels; Lymphomas:
these are from lymphocytes which are
infection fighting cells of the immune/
lymphatic system; Leukemia’s: cancer of
the blood and is the only cancer that does
not form a solid tumor; and Melanomas:
originating from cells that make the skin
pigment.
So what causes cancer?
In some cases we know the exact cause of
cancer and in some cases there are just risk
factors associated with the development
In some cases we know the exact cause
of cancer and in some cases there are
just risk factors associated with the
development of certain cancers and
the exact cause is unknown. Sub-
stances that cause cancer are known
as carcinogens. If you can remember
a certain governor who spent Ksh.
200,000/= on wheelbarrows under the
guise that they were non-carcinogenic
i.e. did not cause cancer.
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of certain cancers and the exact cause is
unknown. Substances that cause cancer
are known as carcinogens. If you can
remember a certain governor who spent
Ksh. 200,000/= on wheelbarrows under the
guise that they were non-carcinogenic i.e.
did not cause cancer. Carcinogens can be
environmental, viral, bacterial, medication
or genetic.
Risk factors for developing
cancer
The risk factors for developing cancer can
be divided into Biological: race, gender,
age, skin type and genetic defects and so
on; Environmental: exposure to Ultraviolet
rays, nuclear or other particulate matter;
Occupational: exposure to chemicals,
ionizing radiation and examples include
flower farm workers who are exposed to
high levels of pesticides and for me our
radiology colleagues who walk around
with a gadget that measures the amount
of radiation they have been exposed to;
Lifestyle related factors: tobacco, alcohol,
UV light, and some food related factors.
How do I know I have
cancer?
The sad news is that it is very difficult to
know you have cancer in the early stages
and by the time you have symptoms it
is probably too late you already have
advanced stage 3 or 4 disease. Common
symptoms that may make you think you
have cancer could be tiredness or fatigue,
unexplained weight loss, headaches,
change in bowel habits e.g. diarrhea
alternating with constipation and presence