Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second most common cause of death globally, accounting for millions of deaths every year. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. However, these are not necessarily the deadliest forms of cancer.

What makes cancer the deadliest depends upon how many people have it and what percentage of those people actually survive. Cancer researchers determine this on the basis of five-year relative survival. This is the percentage of people who are expected to survive the effects of a given cancer, excluding their risk of other possible causes of death, for five years past a diagnosis. It is also important to note that what makes cancer really deadly is that practically no cure for it. A cure for cancer would imply that there are no cancerous cells remaining in the body.

Here are the 5 deadliest cancers in the U.S., according to SEER five-year relative survival data for cases diagnosed between 2014 and 2020.

1. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen that aids digestion, mutate and multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Major risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, certain genetic mutations and environmental chemical exposure.

2. Esophageal cancer develops in the oesophagus, which is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.

3. Liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer originate in the liver or bile ducts, often linked to hepatitis infections, heavy alcohol use, obesity, and aflatoxin exposure.

4. Lung and bronchus cancer primarily caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, and environmental pollutants, affects the lungs and airways, making it the leading cause of cancer death in the US.

5. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly, often linked to genetic mutations, radiation exposure, and certain chemicals.

ALSO READ: Why Are Lifestyle Factors Making Millennials Vulnerable To Cancer?

Amid the rising heatwave conditions in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his concerns and advised the citizens to stay hydrated.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, PM Modi asked people to take precautions as well as help fellow citizens by offering drinking water.

"Temperatures are continuously rising in different parts of the country, and along with this, the many difficulties caused by the heat in daily life are also increasing. I urge all my fellow citizens to take as many precautions as possible. Please keep yourselves hydrated and carry water with you when stepping out of your homes,” the Prime Minister said.

“In such weather, your sensitivity also becomes a great source of support. If possible, do offer a glass of water to anyone who is thirsty. I also appreciate those people who keep water in pitchers outside their homes and shops so that anyone can drink from them,” he added.

Temperatures Are Rising Throughout The Nation

The post comes as the temperature is increasing throughout the country.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 45°C on Wednesday, while the minimum may stay close to 28°C.

This extreme heat has become a serious public health challenge, as it affects everything from hydration levels in the body to digestion, the health of your skin, heart, and even mental well-being.

The department has issued a clear warning for a “heatwave.” Strong surface winds are also expected during the afternoon and evening. Humidity levels on May 27 are forecast to vary between 40 per cent at the highest and 25 per cent at the lowest.

Authorities have cautioned that the heatwave may be accompanied by strong, hot winds later in the day. People are advised to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, remain hydrated, and take necessary measures to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. L.K Jha, Associate Director & Head Unit-II– Cardiology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, said how extreme heat levels can increase heart conditions such as palpitations.

“Dehydration contributes to palpitations associated with heatwaves significantly due to excessive sweating, fluid loss, and critical electrolyte loss, which all play key roles in maintaining normal heart rhythm and health of the cardiovascular system. Dehydration causes decreases in blood pressure, forcing the heart to increase its rate during periods of heat exposure if an individual is dehydrated”.

Read Also: Heatwave Hacks: A Complete Survival Plan for Extreme Indian Summer

How To Stay Fit During a Heat Wave?

• Drink water consistently at regular intervals instead of gulping large quantities at once. Electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water, lemon water with a pinch of salt, or buttermilk are healthy, affordable options to soothe parched throats.

• Add items like curd, rice, cucumber, and bottle gourd to your diet and avoid red meat and fried foods during peak summer days.

• Extreme temperatures put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, especially in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart conditions. Make sure to take all prescribed medications exactly as advised—don’t skip doses even if you experience heat-induced nausea. If you feel dizzy or experience palpitations or severe fatigue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

• Air conditioning is helpful, but overexposure can lead to dry skin, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. Once every two or three hours, step away from your desk for a few minutes. Walk or stand, and sip some water.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer causes about 60,000 deaths every year globally. The current estimates also show that about one in five Americans is at risk of having the deadly disease in their lifetime. Though the technology of curing skin cancer is very advanced, the early detection of the disease is still a very crucial aspect in the path to getting a full cure.

And now, the researchers have come up with the smart tattoo technology, which can be a game-changer in this aspect.

A recent research study led by Professor Jinyang Liang from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), an expert in ultrafast imaging and biophotonics, has shed light on promising smart tattoo technology that can aid in detecting skin cancer. The study was conducted in collaboration between the INRS in Québec and Université de Montréal.

The process that Professor Liang and his team have researched is Single-shot Microneedle-Encoded Upconversion Lifetime Mapping (SMEAR-ULM), which is a great leap forward in skin cancer detection.SMEAR-ULM monitors microscopic temperature changes on the skin surface that signal the pernicious transformations with unprecedented sensitivity.

Skin cancer is, without a doubt, one of the most deadly ailments known to man, and among its three types, melanoma is the most notorious one. Early detection in case of melanoma is very important for its cure. The current state of the treatment process depends heavily on visual examinations and invasive biopsies, which are known to cause discomfort for patients as well as occasional unnecessary interventions due to false positives, and SMEAR-ULM is a possible answer to these problems.

Read Also: Melanoma Is Being Overdiagnosed. Here's Everything You Should Know

Melanoma: The Deadliest Kind Of Skin Cancer

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It can occur anywhere on the skin but often develops on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, back, and legs. Melanoma can also appear in less-exposed areas, like the soles of the feet, palms, or under the nails, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones. Although rare, melanoma may develop in the eyes, mouth, or internal organs.

Symptoms Of Melanoma

The primary sign of melanoma is a new or changing mole, freckle, or skin lesion. The "ABCDE rule" helps identify suspicious moles:

• Asymmetry: One half does not match the other.

• Border: Irregular or scalloped edges.

• Colour: Multiple shades or unusual colours like red, white, or blue.

• Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).

• Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or colour.

Additional symptoms may include itching, bleeding, or a sore that doesn’t heal. Prompt medical attention is essential for suspicious skin changes.

The suspected case of Ebola infection in a young woman in Bengaluru who had returned from Ebola-affected Uganda has tested negative, India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has confirmed.

The woman who arrived in Bengaluru from Kampala, Uganda, on May 23, was suspected of infection after developing mild symptoms, including body aches. She was shifted from a hotel to the state-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital on May 26, and her samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

"The test result has returned negative for Ebola Virus Disease," the Ministry said, adding that there is "no confirmed case of Ebola in India".

The Ministry said that although the woman remained healthy apart from a mild body ache, she was isolated and tested as part of the precaution measures instated in the country against the Ebola outbreak, which has so far affected over 900 people and led to more than 200 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. As per African health officials, 10 nations on the continent are at high risk.

WHO Says Ebola Spreading Rapidly

Also read: Russia's New Ebola Vaccine To Protect Against Rare Bundibugyo Strain, Says Health Minister

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National IMA COVID Task Force and Past President of the Indian Medical Association, Cochin, told HealthandMe, that the spread of the outbreak to other countries may not be surprising.

“With air travel being common and the outbreak already having spread to multiple countries in Africa, it is entirely possible for someone who had contact with a person with Ebola virus disease to get on a flight to another country,” Dr. Rajeev said.

“All patients with Ebola disease may not know they have it — as the initial symptoms are nonspecific, such as fever and body ache. In addition, scarcity of the exact PCR test to diagnose the latest Bundibugyo Ebola virus in Africa makes it possible to miss it entirely,” he added.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus earlier stated he was “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic”.

He added that the ongoing outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us".

The global health agency has also determined that the deadly outbreak is a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)”.

India Boosts Surveillance

Read More: Why Ebola Outbreaks Keep Returning In Africa? | Explained

In view of the outbreak, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the concerned State authorities, is maintaining close surveillance, and all necessary public health protocols are being followed in accordance with WHO guidelines.

The government said it "remains vigilant and prepared, with screening and surveillance measures continuing at all designated Points of Entry and across the public health system".

Citizens are advised not to panic, avoid spreading misinformation, and rely only on official sources for information.

The government also issued guidelines for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries. As part of the precautionary measures, travelers entering the country from such nations are required to undergo a 21-day quarantine period.

How Ebola Spreads

Ebola disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate.

Ebola spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids

• Contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment

• Unsafe caregiving exposure

• Traditional burial practices involving direct contact

• Certain zoonotic animal exposures.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• fever,

• weakness,

• headache,

• muscle pain,

• vomiting,

• diarrhea,

• sore throat,

• unexplained bleeding.