Recognize early warning signs of childhood cancer and understand the genetic and environmental risk factors that may affect your child’s health.
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Cancer is often described as a “silent enemy” because, in its earliest and most treatable stages, it may cause no pain or obvious symptoms. However, the body usually sends distress signals long before a tumor becomes life-threatening. The challenge is that these signals—like fatigue, a cough, or a change in bowel habits—are easily mistaken for common, benign illnesses like the flu or stress.
At Liv Hospital, we believe that awareness is the first line of defense. Understanding the difference between a persistent “red flag” and a temporary ailment can save your life. While we treat the most advanced stages of cancer with high-tech precision, our greatest victories happen when patients recognize a symptom early and come to us while the disease is still local.
This guide outlines the biological causes of cancer and the critical warning signs you should never ignore.
Cancer is a systemic disease. As tumors grow, they consume the body’s energy supply, release inflammatory chemicals, and disrupt normal organ function. This often leads to “Constitutional Symptoms” that affect the whole body, not just one part.
Losing 5kg (10lbs) or more without dieting or exercise is a major red flag.
This is not just “tiredness” from a long day. It is a bone-deep exhaustion that sleep does not cure.
Common in: Leukemia, Colon cancer (due to blood loss), and Stomach cancer.
Fever is usually a sign of infection. But a fever that comes and goes for weeks, especially at night (drenching the sheets), is suspicious.
Pain is usually a late symptom, but not always.
Beyond skin cancer, the skin can reflect internal health.
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Different organs send different SOS signals.
Cancer is, fundamentally, a disease of the genes. It begins when the DNA inside a cell is damaged.
Most cancers (90–95%) are caused by gene damage that happens during your lifetime. This damage is usually cumulative—it builds up over decades.
Diet and Inflammation: Chronic inflammation from obesity (fat cells release estrogen and cytokines) or highly processed meats (nitrates) damages colon cells.
About 5–10% of cancers are hereditary. You are born with the mutation in every cell of your body.
Liv Hospital Advantage: We offer comprehensive Genetic Counseling. If you have a strong family history, we can test your DNA (saliva or blood) to see if you carry these genes. Knowledge is power—it allows for preventative surgeries or intensive screening.
While you cannot change your age or genetics, about 40% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes.
Factor | Controllable? | The Risk |
Tobacco | ✅ YES | #1 cause of preventable cancer death (Lung, Throat, Bladder). |
Obesity | ✅ YES | Fat tissue is biologically active, increasing Estrogen and Insulin, which feed tumors (Breast, Uterine, Colon). |
Alcohol | ✅ YES | Acetaldehyde (breakdown product of alcohol) damages DNA and prevents repair (Liver, Esophagus, Breast). |
Sun Exposure | ✅ YES | UV rays are a direct carcinogen for skin. |
Age | ❌ NO | DNA damage accumulates over time. 77% of cancers are diagnosed in people over 55. |
Genetics | ❌ NO | Inherited mutations like BRCA. |
Don’t wait for symptoms. Screening finds cancer before symptoms appear, when it is most curable.
If you have vague symptoms or just want peace of mind, our Check-Up Center offers tailored “Onco-CheckUp” packages.
Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making your body less efficient at killing mutated cells or fighting viruses. While stress itself hasn’t been directly proven to cause cancer DNA mutations, it often leads to unhealthy behaviors (smoking, overeating, alcohol) that do cause cancer.
All cells, including cancer cells, use glucose (sugar) for energy. However, eating sugar doesn’t make cancer grow faster, and stopping sugar doesn’t make it shrink. The danger is that high sugar intake leads to obesity and high insulin levels, which are proven risk factors for cancer growth.
No. You cannot “catch” cancer from someone else like a cold. However, the viruses that cause cancer (like HPV or Hepatitis) are contagious. Getting vaccinated against these viruses is a powerful way to prevent cancer.
About 10–15% of lung cancers occur in nonsmokers. Causes include Radon gas (a natural radioactive gas in basements), Secondhand Smoke, Air Pollution, Asbestos exposure, or specific genetic mutations (like EGFR) that are more common in nonsmokers and women.
This means cells look abnormal (dysplasia) but haven’t invaded nearby tissues yet. Examples include Colon Polyps, Cervical Dysplasia (CIN), or DCIS (in the breast). Treating these conditions is vital because it prevents them from turning into invasive cancer.
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