Cancer – What is It?
Cancer isn’t just one disease — there are more than 100 different kinds. Each type of cancer has its own characteristics, how it grows and spreads in the body, what kind of symptoms it causes, and whether or not it can be cured. Some cancers are easier to treat than others. But no matter what kind of cancer you have, it is always important to seek treatment as soon as possible because the sooner you get diagnosed, the better your chances are of being cured.
Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow and divide without control or order. This abnormal growth can form a mass of abnormal cells, known as a tumour. Cancer can also spread from the place where it starts to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This process is called metastasis.
All the cells in your body have a control centre called a nucleus that holds genes, which are long strings of coded messages that tell the cell how to behave. Sometimes changes (mutations) in the genes can happen, causing cells to start growing and multiplying out of control and developing into cancer. These abnormal cells can then outnumber the normal cells in an area and cause tumours to grow and spread.
There are many things that can cause cancer, including ageing, inherited faulty genes and certain viruses. But most cancers develop due to a mix of genes and lifestyle factors, such as smoking tobacco, being overweight, drinking alcohol, exposure to radiation and infections with viruses like Hepatitis B and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Some cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors.
The immune system is a network of organs and cells that protect the body against infection and disease. It is made up of lymph nodes, spleen and the thymus, as well as white blood cells that attack germs.
Some cancers can start in cells that make up the immune system, for example cancers of the lymphatic system and leukaemia. Other cancers can start in other types of cells, for example cancers that grow from the bones and connective tissue, such as sarcoma, or from germ cells, such as seminoma and dysgerminoma.
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumour, but most cancers have at least one common sign: pain that doesn’t go away. This includes nagging pain that doesn’t respond to treatment, persistent coughing or a lump in the breast. If you have any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks or they worsen, see your doctor.
Managing symptoms is an important part of cancer treatment. But it is also important to try and prevent symptoms from happening in the first place. You can do this by getting regular check-ups, being aware of the 7 warning signs of cancer and visiting your doctor if you notice any new or persisting symptoms that don’t go away.
Cancer isn’t just one disease — there are more than 100 different kinds. Each type of cancer has its own characteristics, how it grows and spreads in the body, what kind of symptoms it causes, and whether or not it can be cured. Some cancers are easier to treat than others. But no matter what kind of cancer you have, it is always important to seek treatment as soon as possible because the sooner you get diagnosed, the better your chances are of being cured. Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow and divide without control or order. This abnormal growth can form a mass of abnormal cells, known as a tumour. Cancer can also spread from the place where it starts to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This process is called metastasis. All the cells in your body have a control centre called a nucleus that holds genes, which are long strings of coded messages that tell the cell how to behave. Sometimes changes (mutations) in the genes can happen, causing cells to start growing and multiplying out of control and developing into cancer. These abnormal cells can then outnumber the normal cells in an area and cause tumours to grow and spread. There are many things that can cause cancer, including ageing, inherited faulty genes and certain viruses. But most cancers develop due to a mix of genes and lifestyle factors, such as smoking tobacco, being overweight, drinking alcohol, exposure to radiation and infections with viruses like Hepatitis B and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Some cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors. The immune system is a network of organs and cells that protect the body against infection and disease. It is made up of lymph nodes, spleen and the thymus, as well as white blood cells that attack germs. Some cancers can start in cells that make up the immune system, for example cancers of the lymphatic system and leukaemia. Other cancers can start in other types of cells, for example cancers that grow from the bones and connective tissue, such as sarcoma, or from germ cells, such as seminoma and dysgerminoma. Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumour, but most cancers have at least one common sign: pain that doesn’t go away. This includes nagging pain that doesn’t respond to treatment, persistent coughing or a lump in the breast. If you have any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks or they worsen, see your doctor. Managing symptoms is an important part of cancer treatment. But it is also important to try and prevent symptoms from happening in the first place. You can do this by getting regular check-ups, being aware of the 7 warning signs of cancer and visiting your doctor if you notice any new or persisting symptoms that don’t go away.