Cancer – A Disease That Can Start in Any Part of the Body
Cancer is a disease that can start in almost any part of the body. It is the result of changes (mutations) in genes. Genes are the instructions that control how cells grow, repair themselves and decide whether to live or die. Cells that don’t follow the normal controls and multiply out of control can lead to cancer. Cancer can also spread from where it started to other parts of the body.
The most common types of cancer are breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. But cancers can occur in many different parts of the body, and they can be found in any age group. Fortunately, cancers caught early are treatable. Cancers that are treated successfully can often be cured. Cancers that aren’t treated as quickly as they should be can be fatal.
There are many types of cancer treatment. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for your type of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some people are given a drug that boosts the body’s natural defences against cancer (immunotherapy).
Normally, genes make sure cells grow and divide to produce new cells at the right time. But mutations in genes can cause normal controls to break down and cells to keep dividing when they shouldn’t or stop producing new cells when the body doesn’t need them. These abnormal cells build up until they form a mass of abnormal cells that is a tumor.
Cancers can be either benign (not dangerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor will invade surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. A benign tumor will not invade surrounding tissues and is unlikely to spread.
Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose cancer, including blood and urine tests, X-rays and CT scans. A biopsy is a tissue sample that doctors examine to find out what kind of cancer you have and how far it has spread. If cancer is diagnosed, doctors can use the results of your tests and the biopsy to decide on a treatment plan.
Some cancer treatments are targeted, which means they focus on the genetic changes that help cancer cells grow and change. Other cancer treatments use high-energy particles (proton or particle therapy) or waves (radiation therapy) to kill cancer cells and reduce the chances of them coming back.
Some cancers are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites, such as the human papilloma virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus. Vaccines are being developed to prevent these infections from turning into cancer. Other cancers are caused by lifestyle factors, such as tobacco and excessive drinking. Scientists are working to develop vaccines against HPV, asbestos and certain chemicals that increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Other preventive measures include regular screenings and a healthy diet.
Cancer is a disease that can start in almost any part of the body. It is the result of changes (mutations) in genes. Genes are the instructions that control how cells grow, repair themselves and decide whether to live or die. Cells that don’t follow the normal controls and multiply out of control can lead to cancer. Cancer can also spread from where it started to other parts of the body. The most common types of cancer are breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. But cancers can occur in many different parts of the body, and they can be found in any age group. Fortunately, cancers caught early are treatable. Cancers that are treated successfully can often be cured. Cancers that aren’t treated as quickly as they should be can be fatal. There are many types of cancer treatment. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for your type of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some people are given a drug that boosts the body’s natural defences against cancer (immunotherapy). Normally, genes make sure cells grow and divide to produce new cells at the right time. But mutations in genes can cause normal controls to break down and cells to keep dividing when they shouldn’t or stop producing new cells when the body doesn’t need them. These abnormal cells build up until they form a mass of abnormal cells that is a tumor. Cancers can be either benign (not dangerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor will invade surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. A benign tumor will not invade surrounding tissues and is unlikely to spread. Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose cancer, including blood and urine tests, X-rays and CT scans. A biopsy is a tissue sample that doctors examine to find out what kind of cancer you have and how far it has spread. If cancer is diagnosed, doctors can use the results of your tests and the biopsy to decide on a treatment plan. Some cancer treatments are targeted, which means they focus on the genetic changes that help cancer cells grow and change. Other cancer treatments use high-energy particles (proton or particle therapy) or waves (radiation therapy) to kill cancer cells and reduce the chances of them coming back. Some cancers are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites, such as the human papilloma virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus. Vaccines are being developed to prevent these infections from turning into cancer. Other cancers are caused by lifestyle factors, such as tobacco and excessive drinking. Scientists are working to develop vaccines against HPV, asbestos and certain chemicals that increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Other preventive measures include regular screenings and a healthy diet.