Cancer – What is It?
Cancer is a name for many different diseases that start in cells, the body’s building blocks. Cells normally grow and divide to make more cells as the body needs them. But when cancer starts, the normal process breaks down and the cells grow and divide without control or order. Then the cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
Cancers often develop because of changes in the genes that control how cells work. Many things can damage genes, such as radiation, chemicals, tobacco, and some foods. Genes can also be damaged by the natural aging process. Over time, these changes can build up and help cancers grow.
When cancer starts, it’s usually in just one or a few cells. But more than 100 types of cancer can occur when cells change and grow in a harmful way. These changes are called mutations (say: meh-TUL-is). They can happen in any type of cell in the body.
Each cancer is unique. It’s caused by many different mutated genes that lead to abnormal growth and spreading. These mutations can come from here or there in your DNA, or they can be passed on by a parent to a child. Sometimes cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other parts of the body. They can grow and form new tumors in these other places, too. This is how cancer spreads.
Some types of cancer can be treated with medicines or other treatments. These can include chemotherapy (say: kee-moh-THER-uh-pee), surgery, radiation therapy, and stem-cell transplant. But cancer is still a serious disease, and it’s hard to predict who will get it or when it will happen.
Most people who get cancer have a family history of the disease. But you don’t need to have a family history of cancer to get it. Your risk of cancer depends on how much your genes change and how many other changes are needed for cancer to grow.
Like real crabs, Cancers retreat into their shells when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. They’re most comfortable in close, intimate relationships with a few friends and loved ones. They prefer a deep connection with those few people over small talk or socializing in large groups, which can easily overwhelm them. They are incredibly loyal and protective of their loved ones, sometimes to a fault. But if someone crosses a Crab, they can be petty and vindictive. That’s because they want to protect their loved ones and get their revenge.
Cancer is a name for many different diseases that start in cells, the body’s building blocks. Cells normally grow and divide to make more cells as the body needs them. But when cancer starts, the normal process breaks down and the cells grow and divide without control or order. Then the cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancers often develop because of changes in the genes that control how cells work. Many things can damage genes, such as radiation, chemicals, tobacco, and some foods. Genes can also be damaged by the natural aging process. Over time, these changes can build up and help cancers grow. When cancer starts, it’s usually in just one or a few cells. But more than 100 types of cancer can occur when cells change and grow in a harmful way. These changes are called mutations (say: meh-TUL-is). They can happen in any type of cell in the body. Each cancer is unique. It’s caused by many different mutated genes that lead to abnormal growth and spreading. These mutations can come from here or there in your DNA, or they can be passed on by a parent to a child. Sometimes cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other parts of the body. They can grow and form new tumors in these other places, too. This is how cancer spreads. Some types of cancer can be treated with medicines or other treatments. These can include chemotherapy (say: kee-moh-THER-uh-pee), surgery, radiation therapy, and stem-cell transplant. But cancer is still a serious disease, and it’s hard to predict who will get it or when it will happen. Most people who get cancer have a family history of the disease. But you don’t need to have a family history of cancer to get it. Your risk of cancer depends on how much your genes change and how many other changes are needed for cancer to grow. Like real crabs, Cancers retreat into their shells when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. They’re most comfortable in close, intimate relationships with a few friends and loved ones. They prefer a deep connection with those few people over small talk or socializing in large groups, which can easily overwhelm them. They are incredibly loyal and protective of their loved ones, sometimes to a fault. But if someone crosses a Crab, they can be petty and vindictive. That’s because they want to protect their loved ones and get their revenge.