A PDQ Cancer Information Summary
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in the body begin to grow out of control and destroy or invade other healthy cells. These abnormal cells may also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. This is called metastasis. Cancer can be found almost anywhere in the body and it can affect any organ or tissue. Cancer can be a very serious disease and it can kill. However, thanks to advances in treatment and detection, many cancers can now be cured.
This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the prevention of cancer. It is based on an independent review of the medical literature. It is written for patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.
We do not know what causes most types of cancer, but we do know that certain characteristics—called risk factors—can increase a person’s chance of getting the disease. These factors include genetic changes, lifestyle choices (such as smoking and sun exposure), and exposure to chemicals that can cause DNA damage. Inherited gene mutations play a role in 5 percent to 10 percent of cancer cases.
The most common cancers are nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. These cancers can be prevented by practicing safe sun use and having regular screening tests for early detection.
Many signs and symptoms of cancer are similar to those caused by other illnesses, such as the flu. But if you have persistent and unusual symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor.
As cancer grows, it can put pressure on organs, nerves, and blood vessels. This can lead to pain, tiredness, and other problems. The cancer may also make a person’s immune system work poorly. The cells may release chemicals that change the way the body works, causing other symptoms.
When cancer cells break free of their normal restraints on growth, they can build up into a mass or tumor. The cells may stay in the tissue where they started (a condition called local invasion or invasive cancer), or the cells can travel through the blood and lymph to settle in other tissues in the body, where they become a new tumour. These new tumours are called secondary cancers or metastatic cancers.
The best way to protect against cancer is to avoid tobacco and UV radiation and to have routine screenings for these diseases. It is also very important to eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise, and to keep up with vaccinations. Getting regular checkups is especially important for people over age 50. These visit can help detect cancer in its earliest stages, when it is easier to treat. This PDQ cancer information summary is provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. This summary is updated periodically and does not contain all available information on this subject. Additional information is available on the NCI website.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in the body begin to grow out of control and destroy or invade other healthy cells. These abnormal cells may also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. This is called metastasis. Cancer can be found almost anywhere in the body and it can affect any organ or tissue. Cancer can be a very serious disease and it can kill. However, thanks to advances in treatment and detection, many cancers can now be cured. This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the prevention of cancer. It is based on an independent review of the medical literature. It is written for patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions. We do not know what causes most types of cancer, but we do know that certain characteristics—called risk factors—can increase a person’s chance of getting the disease. These factors include genetic changes, lifestyle choices (such as smoking and sun exposure), and exposure to chemicals that can cause DNA damage. Inherited gene mutations play a role in 5 percent to 10 percent of cancer cases. The most common cancers are nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. These cancers can be prevented by practicing safe sun use and having regular screening tests for early detection. Many signs and symptoms of cancer are similar to those caused by other illnesses, such as the flu. But if you have persistent and unusual symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor. As cancer grows, it can put pressure on organs, nerves, and blood vessels. This can lead to pain, tiredness, and other problems. The cancer may also make a person’s immune system work poorly. The cells may release chemicals that change the way the body works, causing other symptoms. When cancer cells break free of their normal restraints on growth, they can build up into a mass or tumor. The cells may stay in the tissue where they started (a condition called local invasion or invasive cancer), or the cells can travel through the blood and lymph to settle in other tissues in the body, where they become a new tumour. These new tumours are called secondary cancers or metastatic cancers. The best way to protect against cancer is to avoid tobacco and UV radiation and to have routine screenings for these diseases. It is also very important to eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise, and to keep up with vaccinations. Getting regular checkups is especially important for people over age 50. These visit can help detect cancer in its earliest stages, when it is easier to treat. This PDQ cancer information summary is provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. This summary is updated periodically and does not contain all available information on this subject. Additional information is available on the NCI website.