In classical literature like Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and Jataka Parijata cancer (malignant growths/ tumours, historically referred to as Vrana or Arbuda) is generally associated with severe afflictions to the 1st, 6th, 8th, and 12th houses by natural malefics especially Rahu, Saturn, and Mars. Some authors suggest that if 6th lord, being a malefic, should occupy the Lagna, 8th or 10th house, the native may suffer from dreadful disease of Cancer. According to Jatak Parijat. If the 6th lord, with a malefic occupies Lagna, 8th or 10th house and is devoid of benefic aspects, the native suffers from Vrana.
Some ancients also suggested that the ascendant and 8th(and not 6th house) should be afflicted to cause Karma Vyadhis like Cancer. According to these sages, the 6th house has not much to do with malignant diseases.
A study of hundreds of horoscopes of persons suffering from cancer undertaken by Dr. B.V. Raman has revealed that Vrana or Mamsarbud Roga Yoga, should not be literally applied for a malefic becoming lord of 6th house. A malefic can become lord of sixth house only when birth takes place in Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces or Gemini lagnas. But there are many instances of people born in other lagnas also having died of cancer. Hence not only the malefic but mere presence of the 6th lord whether benefic or malefic, in Lagna should be treated dreadful and a yoga for cancer.
Further studies conducted by Dr B V Raman also revealed the following:-
1.Venus becomes involved with the seat of disease in almost all patients who have cancer with in the oral cavity including lingual cancer.
2.Mars appears to be the villain in patients having cancer of gall bladder.
3.Mars and Rahu have dominant positions afflicting the Lagna in case of cancer of the skin.
4.Lords of Lagna and the 6th in the 10th house aspected by Saturn or Mars predispose one to Cancer of the breast.
5.Cancer of rectum and of the prostrate seems to be generally connected with Scorpio or 8th house particularly if Saturn and Ketu.
6.When the Ascendant or Moon sign is Scorpio with Saturn and Lord of 6th is in 10th, the native is exposed to the danger of suffering from cancer of the Rectum.
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow haphazardly and spread to other parts of the body. In astrology haphazard growth is represented by Rahu. Unafflicted Jupiter represents systematic growth. Afflicted Jupiter represents haphazard growth. Eleventh house represents growth. Our body which suffers much in cancer ,is represented by Lagna/Lagna Lord. All forms of suffering, misery and mental anguish is represented by eighth house. Cancer is a chronic disease. Chronicity is also indicated by eighth house. It leads us to the conclusion that Lagna/Lagna Lord should be afflicted and connected to the eighth house and eleventh house or their lords or planets placed therein. Based on these simple facts Dr S B Goel ,an able astrology teacher in Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, gave following simple parameters of cancer which are applicable to all cancer patients:-
1.Lagna/Lagna lord afflicted by natural malefics.
2.Lagna/Lagna Lord associated with eleventh house/ eleventh lord and planets placed therein
or
Lagna /Lagna Lord associated with afflicted Jupiter.(Afflicted Jupiter represents haphazard growth.)
3.Lagna/Lagna Lord associated with 8th house/Lord and planets placed therein
or
Mahadasha of a planet associated with eighth house/eighth lord at the time of birth.
According to Dr S. S. Chatterjee following combinations indicate cancer:-
(i) When lagna lord/6th lord/8th lord make any relationship with Mars, Rahu and Saturn.
(ii) Conjunction of Jupiter, Ketu and Venus in any sign may cause cancer.
(iii) When Saturn and Mars have relationship with Jupiter or Rahu.
(iv) If Moon is afflicted by three malefics and lord of lagna is weak.
(v) When sixth or eighth lord is posited in Lagna and is afflicted, one may have tumour. Cancer is actually a special form of tumour.
(vi) When Sun, Moon and Lagna are afflicted one may have Cancer.
(vii) Mars in sixth house identical with a fixed sign will cause Cancer.
(viii) When Saturn, Rahu and Mars are posited in any sign, the native may have Cancer provided these planets are not yogakarka for the ascendant.
(ix) When Cancer, Scorpion and Pisces are afflicted blood cancer occurs. Moon should also be afflicted.
(x) When all benefics are weak and .Rahu and Mars are posited in any sign , cancer may occur.
According to him there is some evidence that the Cancer of the cervix in women and of the prostrate in men are found more often in those who started sexual activity at a much younger age and those who changed partners frequently.
He also found that afflicted Mercury produces cancer in the body. Venus is known to produce cancer in throat. Mars is well known to produce cancer in uterus. Findings of Dr B V Raman, as we have seen above, are identical with these findings.
Shri V P Goel has given following two combinations for abdomen cancer:-
(i) Rahu or Ketu in Lagna with a malefic sixth lord.(ii) Rahu or Ketu in eighth house or twelfth house and the sixth house is afflicted.
Shri Raj Kumar retired Lt.Col. has given following combinations for cancer in his book on Medical Astrology:-
(i) Malefic sixth lord posited in first, seventh or eighth house is aspected by Rahu.
(ii) Conjunction of Jupiter, Venus and Rahu/Ketu in any sign.
(iii) Lagnesh is weak and Moon is afflicted by more than two malefics.
(iv) Saturn related with lagna or 8th house, while Mars is related with Saturn.
(v) Saturn and Mars are related with Jupiter or Rahu.
(vi) Sun, Moon and Lagna and their sign lords are afflicted.
(vii) Saturn, Rahu and Mars are posited in airy signs with no benefic influence.
(viii) Moon and all watery signs are afflicted.
(ix) Rahu and Saturn afflict lagna, sixth and eighth house/their lords.
(x) Saturn, Jupiter and Mars are inter-related by contact or aspect.
Warning signal of cancer:– i)Loss of weight ii)A sudden change in size or colour of wart or mole iii)A lump or thickening of the breast iv)Unusual bleeding or discharge v) Hoarseness of voice or persistent cough which does not respond to medicines vi) Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing vii) A change in bowel habits or alternating constipation or diarrhea viii) A sore or ulcer that does not readily heal ix) Constant fever .
Example one:-
This person is suffering from lung cancer which has radiated to spinal cord. His lagna has a malefic Mars in it. Lagna lord Jupiter aspects his eleventh house. His starting dasa is of Mars which aspects the eighth house. Hence all the three principles of Dr. S B Goel are applicable to this chart. In addition to it following combinations are there in his chart.
1. Sixth lord is a malefic and it occupies the tenth house.
2. Malefic Mars aspects eighth house. Hence eighth house is afflcted.
3.His lagna lord is afflicted as it is aspected by Mars.
4.Lord of Cancer i.e Moon is aspected by Mars. It is also in eighth house. Scorpion is in Rahu -Ketu axis. Pisces is occupied by Mars. Hence all the three watery signs are afflicted.
Example Two:-
This lady was suffering from liver Cancer. Her lagna is afflicted by aspect of afflicted Jupiter and ninth aspect of Rahu. Lagna lord aspects eleventh lord and also afflicted Jupiter. Lagna lord aspects eighth house. Hence all the three principles of Dr. S B Goel are applicable to this chart. In addition to it following combinations are there in his chart.
1.Sixth lord is with Rahu. It is combust and also aspected by Mars.
2.Saturn is with Jupiter and also aspected by Mars.
3. Moon is with Saturn and is aspected by Mars and Rahu.
4. Sun, Moon and Lagna all are afflicted.
5. Saturn and Mars both are related with Jupiter.
6. Saturn, Jupiter and Mars are inter-related.
Example Three:-
He suffered from mediastinal seminoma in 2011 but recovered in 2012.His lagna lord is with Mars . Lagna lord Saturn is with eleventh lord Mars. Lagna Lord also aspects eleventh house. Lagna lord Saturn also aspects eighth lord Sun. Hence all the three principles of Dr. S B Goel apply to this chart. In addition to it following combinations are there in his chart.
1.Sun, Moon and Lagna are afflicted. Saturn is Lagna lord and it is related with Mars.