Cancer – What Causes It and How You Can Prevent It
Cancer is a word that strikes fear in most people’s hearts. It’s a group of diseases that starts when abnormal cells grow out of control. Cells are the tiny units that make up all living things, including your body. Healthy cells divide to create new cells as needed to keep your body working well. When a cell’s DNA becomes damaged, the damage may cause the cell to grow out of control.
The damaged cells can continue to grow and multiply, forming large masses of tissue called tumors. They can also break off and travel to other parts of the body, where they start growing and causing more problems, a process called metastasis.
When cancer is diagnosed, tests are done to find out how big the tumor is and whether it has spread from where it started. This information helps doctors decide the best treatment for each person. The way the cancer is treated depends on what type of cancer it is and its stage. The higher the stage, the more the cancer has grown and spread.
Researchers used to think that cancer was caused by a single mutation in a gene. But now scientists know that the growth of cancer is actually a result of multiple genetic changes and heritable traits. These changes can be caused by viruses, viruses, chemicals, radiation, or exposure to certain carcinogens, such as tobacco or asbestos.
The environment exerts a selection pressure on cells, which is the force that favors those with advantageous characteristics over other cells. These can include changes that promote survival or reproduction, resistance to homeostatic controls (such as limits on growth), and other properties related to the ability to invade other tissues or to evade the immune system.
As a result of these selection pressures, cells with cancerous traits become more common in the population. They grow and divide faster than normal cells, and they can invade other parts of the body. They can also evade the immune system and other protective structures in the body.
To help prevent cancer, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and limit red meat and processed meats. Be physically active for at least 150 minutes a week. Try to avoid too much alcohol, as even a single drink a day can increase the risk for several types of cancer. And don’t smoke, as smoking is a major risk factor for many types of cancer. See your doctor if you have any symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of screening for cancer. It’s important to weigh these risks and benefits, and discuss your personal and family history with the doctor.
Cancer is a word that strikes fear in most people’s hearts. It’s a group of diseases that starts when abnormal cells grow out of control. Cells are the tiny units that make up all living things, including your body. Healthy cells divide to create new cells as needed to keep your body working well. When a cell’s DNA becomes damaged, the damage may cause the cell to grow out of control. The damaged cells can continue to grow and multiply, forming large masses of tissue called tumors. They can also break off and travel to other parts of the body, where they start growing and causing more problems, a process called metastasis. When cancer is diagnosed, tests are done to find out how big the tumor is and whether it has spread from where it started. This information helps doctors decide the best treatment for each person. The way the cancer is treated depends on what type of cancer it is and its stage. The higher the stage, the more the cancer has grown and spread. Researchers used to think that cancer was caused by a single mutation in a gene. But now scientists know that the growth of cancer is actually a result of multiple genetic changes and heritable traits. These changes can be caused by viruses, viruses, chemicals, radiation, or exposure to certain carcinogens, such as tobacco or asbestos. The environment exerts a selection pressure on cells, which is the force that favors those with advantageous characteristics over other cells. These can include changes that promote survival or reproduction, resistance to homeostatic controls (such as limits on growth), and other properties related to the ability to invade other tissues or to evade the immune system. As a result of these selection pressures, cells with cancerous traits become more common in the population. They grow and divide faster than normal cells, and they can invade other parts of the body. They can also evade the immune system and other protective structures in the body. To help prevent cancer, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and limit red meat and processed meats. Be physically active for at least 150 minutes a week. Try to avoid too much alcohol, as even a single drink a day can increase the risk for several types of cancer. And don’t smoke, as smoking is a major risk factor for many types of cancer. See your doctor if you have any symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of screening for cancer. It’s important to weigh these risks and benefits, and discuss your personal and family history with the doctor.