ONCOLOGY

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

🧬 What Is Cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. These cells can invade nearby tissues and sometimes spread (metastasize) to distant organs.

🔬 Types of Oncology

Medical Oncology

Uses chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy to treat cancer.

Surgical Oncology

Involves the removal of tumors and surrounding tissue through surgery.

Radiation Oncology

Uses radiation therapy to destroy or shrink cancer cells.

Pediatric Oncology

Specializes in cancers that affect children and adolescents.

Hematologic Oncology

Focuses on blood cancers, like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

⚠️ Common Types of Cancer

Breast cancer

Lung cancer

Prostate cancer

Colorectal cancer

Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma)

Cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer

Leukemia and lymphoma

Brain tumors

Pancreatic and liver cancers

🩺 How Cancer Is Diagnosed

Biopsy (taking a tissue sample)

Imaging: MRI, CT scan, PET scan, ultrasound

Blood tests (e.g., tumor markers)

Endoscopy or colonoscopy

🧪 Treatment Options

Chemotherapy: Destroys cancer cells throughout the body.

Radiation therapy: Targets specific areas to shrink tumors.

Surgery: Removes localized tumors.

Immunotherapy: Boosts the body's immune response against cancer.

Targeted therapy: Attacks specific genes or proteins in cancer cells.

Hormone therapy: Blocks hormones that fuel certain cancers (like breast or prostate).

🌱 Supportive & Palliative Care

Manages side effects like pain, fatigue, nausea

Supports emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being

Enhances quality of life — even when a cure isn’t possible

📋 Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

Avoid tobacco

Limit alcohol

Eat a healthy diet

Maintain a healthy weight

Get vaccinated (e.g., HPV, hepatitis B)

Regular screenings: mammograms, colonoscopy, Pap tests, etc.