(iii) umor viruses:T Some viruses are known to be involved in oncogenic transformations.Possible symptoms of cancer
(i) A lump or hard area in the breast.
(ii) Unexplained low-grade fever.
(iii) Unexplained loss of weight.
(iv) Non-injury bleeding from the surface of the skin, mouth or any other opening of the body.
(v) Bleeding in vagina at times other than the menstruation.Treatment
• The common approaches for treatment of cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
• Alcohol refers to ethyl alcohol or ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH) manufactured by fermentation of sugars.
• Drinking of excessive alcohol that impairs one’s physical, physiological and psychological functions, refers to alcohol abuse.
The dependence or addiction of alcohol is called alcoholism and the addict is termed as alcoholic. WHO declared in 1964 that
alcoholism is disease.
Psychological problems
• Heavy drinking causes depression. Suicide attempt is
much common in alcoholics than in the rest of society.
• Sexual relationship is usually deteriorated because of
impotence or rejection by the partner.Social problems
• These include absence from work, unemployment,
marital (marriage) tensions, child abuse, financial
difficulties and problems with law, including violence
and traffic offences.Problems caused by alcoholPhysical problems
• These are variable and can affect virtually any organ in
the body.• Drug addiction or abuse can be defined as intake of drugs for purpose other than clinical use, in amount, concentration or
frequency that impairs physical, physiological and psychological functions of the body. The drugs, which are commonly abused
are opioids, coca alkaloids and cannabinoids.
Habituating Drugs
Psychotropic drugs
Mood altering drugs that affect behaviour and mental
activity. Includes tranquilisers, sedatives, hypnotics, opioids
and stimulants.Psychedelic drugs
Drugs change one’s behaviour, thoughts, feelings and
perceptions without any actual sensory stimulus. Includes
LSD, mescaline, prilocybine, cannabinoids, etc.• Opiate narcotics/Opioids are the drugs derived from dried latex of unripe fruits of poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). They
are also called pain killers and have narcotic, analgesic, astringent (that causes contraction of body parts) and sedative effect,
e.g., opium (afeem), heroin, smack, etc.
• Cocaine is natural coca alkaloid obtained from leaves of coca (or cocca) plant (Erythroxylum coca). Cocaine has vasoconstrictor
properties and acts as a good local anaesthetic. It is a powerful CNS stimulant. Its overdose causes hallucinations.
• Hemp or cannabis compounds (hallucinogenic chemicals) are obtained from leaves, resin and flowering tips (inflorescence)
of hemp plant that naturally have sedative effects, e.g., bhang, charas, ganja, marijuana, etc.
• Tobacco has volatile poisonous alkaloid called nicotine which causes addiction. High concentration of nicotine paralyses nerve
cells and may also lead to heart diseases.