May has a couple of dates that remind me of very interesting events. We’ll talk about the dates later. Today let’s just focus on the month itself. Did you know that May is dedicated to raising Bladder Cancer awareness? I can almost bet that you didn’t. But now that you know, sip some coffee as you digest today’s read. Over the next few weeks I’ll be discussing basics I think you need to know about Cancer.

I probably should start by highlighting a couple of facts on bladder cancer before letting you know the most basic basics of Cancer, generally. So here we go:

• Navy blue, Purple or Yellow cancer ribbons are used to raise its awareness
• There are 3+ types of bladder cancer
• Blood in the urine MIGHT be a sign, usually the earliest
• Smoking is a major cause

1.What is Cancer???

Let’s flash back to the first term in our various Biology classes. That time we were being taught about Mitochondria (is there anyone that doesn’t remember the power house of the cell?!?😂) and the others. I hope you now have at least a vivid memory of what the cell is. If you don’t, just keep in mind that it’s the smallest unit of human life.

At some point, one cell might grow and divide. Now they are 2 cells. These cells also grow and divide again and now they get to 4. Now this doubling process goes on until the cells form a malignant tumour such that the body can no longer work as it’s supposed to. This, is what is referred to as Cancer.

Cancer is an NCD, meaning it is a non-communicable disease and it therefore cannot be transmitted from a cancer patient.

2.What are the types of Cancer???

There are several of them, with some mostly affecting men and others mainly affecting women.

Common types among men are;

• Prostate – This is the most common of all
• Colorectum – Develops from parts of the large intestines i.e either colon or rectum
• Oesophagus – Its symptoms may not show in the early stages

Among women are;

• Breast – Affects both men and women, but is more common in the latter
• Cervical cancer
• Lung cancer

There obviously are other types that are common, but I picked the above, because I have interacted with these patients. So you might as well find out about the others or even learn more about the ones I’ve listed.

3.Metastatis

Take for instance, a lung cancer scenario-cancer cells are in the malignant tumour in the lung. The cells can break from that tumour and spread to some other part of the body, say lungs, where they multiply and grow. This will be referred to as bone metastatis. So generally, metastatis is when the cancer cells grow in another part of the body, other than where they originated.

---

This is it for today. I hope you’ve learnt something you didn’t know about Cancer and that you are now very intentional to learn more.

Lol! I know this has been a short blog, unlike my norm; check out my other posts and you’ll get what I’m talking about. The next few posts will be quite brief and concise because for me, Cancer is a very sensitive topic.

My main intention with this series is to prompt you to read and consult widely about Cancer, and then create awareness!

~Bible Vibes~

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2