Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that can invade and destroy healthy tissue. It starts when genes that manage cell activity mutate (change). Mutations may occur spontaneously or be caused by certain infections, like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus infection and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection. Cancer can also develop when inherited genetic mutations accumulate over time, like with certain types of leukemia.
In normal cells, when a cell is damaged or no longer needed, it dies and is replaced by new cells. But in cancer, this orderly process breaks down. Old or abnormal cells continue to grow and divide without stopping, forming large masses of tissue called tumors. Tumors may be solid, or they may form in the blood and lymph tissues, which can travel to other parts of the body and cause more tumors.
Most cancers start in a single part of the body. But a few forms of cancer, such as brain and bone cancer, can spread to other parts of the body from where they started. They may also spread to other people, where they can be found and treated.
There are many different kinds of cancer, and signs and symptoms vary depending on the type. Early warning signs can be difficult to recognize, especially because they often resemble less serious conditions. Some common cancer signs and symptoms include:
Cancer can be hard to treat. But treatments can slow cancer’s progress, ease symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. Treatments work best when they are given before the cancer grows or spreads to other parts of the body.
Some types of cancer, like skin and breast cancer, are more likely to happen as a result of certain habits or environmental factors. For example, smoking can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. A poor diet can contribute to some types of cancer. Exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals can be harmful too.
Many kinds of cancer are preventable. Regular screening tests can help find some cancers when they are small and haven’t spread. Vaccines can protect against some cancers too. People who have the most common kinds of cancer have a better outlook for recovery. This is partly because they receive treatment earlier, when it works best. The chances of survival and quality of life are much lower for people who get cancer after it has spread. Some people with cancer experience fewer or no symptoms and can live long lives. Others have a more serious illness and can’t be cured, but their cancer can be controlled. Treatments that reduce the cancer’s size and stop it spreading are called remission.
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that can invade and destroy healthy tissue. It starts when genes that manage cell activity mutate (change). Mutations may occur spontaneously or be caused by certain infections, like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus infection and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection. Cancer can also develop when inherited genetic mutations accumulate over time, like with certain types of leukemia. In normal cells, when a cell is damaged or no longer needed, it dies and is replaced by new cells. But in cancer, this orderly process breaks down. Old or abnormal cells continue to grow and divide without stopping, forming large masses of tissue called tumors. Tumors may be solid, or they may form in the blood and lymph tissues, which can travel to other parts of the body and cause more tumors. Most cancers start in a single part of the body. But a few forms of cancer, such as brain and bone cancer, can spread to other parts of the body from where they started. They may also spread to other people, where they can be found and treated. There are many different kinds of cancer, and signs and symptoms vary depending on the type. Early warning signs can be difficult to recognize, especially because they often resemble less serious conditions. Some common cancer signs and symptoms include: Cancer can be hard to treat. But treatments can slow cancer’s progress, ease symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. Treatments work best when they are given before the cancer grows or spreads to other parts of the body. Some types of cancer, like skin and breast cancer, are more likely to happen as a result of certain habits or environmental factors. For example, smoking can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. A poor diet can contribute to some types of cancer. Exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals can be harmful too. Many kinds of cancer are preventable. Regular screening tests can help find some cancers when they are small and haven’t spread. Vaccines can protect against some cancers too. People who have the most common kinds of cancer have a better outlook for recovery. This is partly because they receive treatment earlier, when it works best. The chances of survival and quality of life are much lower for people who get cancer after it has spread. Some people with cancer experience fewer or no symptoms and can live long lives. Others have a more serious illness and can’t be cured, but their cancer can be controlled. Treatments that reduce the cancer’s size and stop it spreading are called remission.