Cancer – A Serious Illness That Affects Many Areas of the Body
Cancer is a disease that occurs when some cells in the body begin to grow out of control and form tumors. Cancer is usually caused by changes (mutations) in the genes that govern how cells work. These mutations may cause normal cells to start growing and dividing too fast or to not stop when they should. The resulting abnormal cells may also be able to grow out of control and invade other parts of the body.
Cancer can be a very serious illness that can affect many areas of the body. It may grow into surrounding tissues and structures, including organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves, skin, and hair. It can also spread from where it started to other areas of the body through the blood or lymph systems. When cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, they are called secondary cancers or metastases.
It is important to remember that not everyone who has cancer will get the same symptoms. This is because different types of cancer can grow in different ways. Also, some cancers grow faster or can spread to other parts of the body more quickly than others. These factors make it very important to report any new or changing symptoms to your doctor.
When cancer is diagnosed, tests will be done to find out how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started in the body. This information helps doctors decide on the best treatment for you.
Researchers have learned a lot about the causes of cancer and how it grows. They are developing ways to prevent cancer and treat it if it does occur. They are also studying ways to help the body’s immune system fight cancer.
A key finding is that cancer cells develop through a process called evolution by natural selection. This means that all of the features of evolution—heritable variation, a struggle for existence, and variation influencing this struggle—are present in cancer cells.
As cancer cells evolve, they accumulate mutations that give them advantages in a particular environment. These genetic changes allow cancer cells to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells, and they also enable them to survive better in a particular type of environment. These adaptations can lead to a variety of cancer behaviors, such as spreading to other parts of the body and resisting treatment.
However, although cancer cells are adapted to their environments, they are not free from environmental limits. These limitations include the need for resources, space, and an appropriate balance of toxins. Like other populations of organisms, cancer cells can be limited by famine, competition for space and nutrients, habitat degradation, and accumulation of hazards. Moreover, as they grow, cancer cells can become dependent on particular characteristics that are not required for survival in their normal environment, such as the promotion of angiogenesis or faster nutrient uptake. This dependence makes them less sensitive to the cues that normally induce cell death.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when some cells in the body begin to grow out of control and form tumors. Cancer is usually caused by changes (mutations) in the genes that govern how cells work. These mutations may cause normal cells to start growing and dividing too fast or to not stop when they should. The resulting abnormal cells may also be able to grow out of control and invade other parts of the body. Cancer can be a very serious illness that can affect many areas of the body. It may grow into surrounding tissues and structures, including organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves, skin, and hair. It can also spread from where it started to other areas of the body through the blood or lymph systems. When cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, they are called secondary cancers or metastases. It is important to remember that not everyone who has cancer will get the same symptoms. This is because different types of cancer can grow in different ways. Also, some cancers grow faster or can spread to other parts of the body more quickly than others. These factors make it very important to report any new or changing symptoms to your doctor. When cancer is diagnosed, tests will be done to find out how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started in the body. This information helps doctors decide on the best treatment for you. Researchers have learned a lot about the causes of cancer and how it grows. They are developing ways to prevent cancer and treat it if it does occur. They are also studying ways to help the body’s immune system fight cancer. A key finding is that cancer cells develop through a process called evolution by natural selection. This means that all of the features of evolution—heritable variation, a struggle for existence, and variation influencing this struggle—are present in cancer cells. As cancer cells evolve, they accumulate mutations that give them advantages in a particular environment. These genetic changes allow cancer cells to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells, and they also enable them to survive better in a particular type of environment. These adaptations can lead to a variety of cancer behaviors, such as spreading to other parts of the body and resisting treatment. However, although cancer cells are adapted to their environments, they are not free from environmental limits. These limitations include the need for resources, space, and an appropriate balance of toxins. Like other populations of organisms, cancer cells can be limited by famine, competition for space and nutrients, habitat degradation, and accumulation of hazards. Moreover, as they grow, cancer cells can become dependent on particular characteristics that are not required for survival in their normal environment, such as the promotion of angiogenesis or faster nutrient uptake. This dependence makes them less sensitive to the cues that normally induce cell death.