Cancer and Your Health

Cancer is not confined to any particular race ofis, it grows like an apple or mango on a tree. It
people, for all races are known to be affected.begins small and grows large. A cancer, on the
Even animals, birds, fish, and plants have similarother hand, grows invasively, that is, it sends out
growths. Cancer is more common amongfine arms that break off and go to distant parts
advanced races, in part at least, because theof the body and start up new growths. When
average life, span among them is longer andoperating on a benign tumor, a surgeon can
cancer is predominantly a disease of old age.remove it as you would remove a nut from
Cancer is more prevalent among women becausewithin a shell. When operating on a cancer,
of the frequency with which the breasts andhowever the surgeon does not know how far the
uterus are affected. Every person should knowfine arms have gone, for they cannot be seen.
something about cancer and should undergo theThis is why cancers (tambours) should be
necessary examinations to make sure he doesremoved (operated) early before they begin
not have cancer in one form or another. It is notspreading their arms.
intended to imply that every individual will haveAlthough our knowledge of the laws which govern
cancer, but cancer is a possibility that everyoneand control cell growth is notably deficient, much
must face. It is necessary to be aware of thehas been learned concerning the cause and control
danger and to face it intelligently and courageously.of cancer.
It is important to know that even the most skilledMany agents are found to' be cancer-producing,
surgeons cannot help a person get well if thesuch as certain chemicals derived from coal-tar. In
cancer has progressed too far before it isaddition to chemica1s it is now known that
discovered.extensive exposure to X rays, gamma rays, and
A localized growth of cells produces a local swellingultra-violet rays will also produce cancer in certain
generally called a tumor. Not all tumors, however,susceptible animals or individuals. Any irritant may
are cancerous; some are harmless growths whichin time produce cancer. A decayed tooth, for
do not spread or tend to kill. Such growths areexample, may produce cancer of the tongue if it
said to be benign, while cancers are said to behas a sharp or rough edge.
malignant. A benign tumor grows expansively; that