Cancer develops when a cell in the body begins to grow abnormally fast or out of control. As a result of this growth the cell loses the specialised characteristics from the normal tissue and this growth may impact the normal functioning of the tissues, organ or body systems.
Cancer normally develops in the form of a tumour and usually develops in a major organ. Tumours can be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (spread to other parts of the body). Cancer will always be named after the place it began, regardless to where cancer may have spread (MDA Internet 2005; American Cancer Society 2006, Better Health Channel 2007; & The Cancer Council 2007).
Symptoms and characteristics
The symptoms of cancer can be variable depending on the location of cancer, the size of the cancer and its impact on surrounding structures or spread to other organs.
General symptoms of cancer may include:
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fever which is very common, particularly in the later stages of cancer
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fatigue
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pain may appear early with cancer, but particularly in the later stages of cancer
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unexplained weight loss may be the first symptom of cancer or in later stages
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specific symptoms such as a lump on an organ
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changes in the skin such as darkening, yellowing or reddening of the skin.
Statistics
In Australia approximately 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women will develop cancer by the age of 75 years. In Australia cancer is the leading cause of death accounting for 31 percent of male deaths and 26 percent of female deaths. More than 36 000 people die from cancer each year in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australasian Association of Cancer Registries 2001).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
American Cancer Society 2007, American Cancer Society, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Is_Cancer.asp?sitearea=>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australasian Association of Cancer Registries 2004, Cancer in Australia 2001, Canberra, viewed 24 April 2007, <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10083>.
Better Health Channel 2007, Cancer explained, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cancer_explained?open>.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.
The Cancer Council Australia 2007, Facts and figures, The Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.cancer.org.au/content.cfm?randid=101127>.
The Cancer Council Australia 2007, Common questions, The Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.cancer.org.au/content.cfm?randid=779291#11112>.
Links to specific types of cancer