Cancer – What is It?
Cancer is a disease that occurs when some of your own cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. It can also spread to other parts of the body, where it forms new tumors or invades other tissues.
There are more than 100 different types of cancer, and each type has its own treatment plan. Your doctor will explain what treatment is best for you. But understanding some general concepts about cancer can help you and your family.
Cancer starts when some of your own cells start to grow and divide without control. Normally, your cells grow and die at the right times to keep your body working the way it should. But cancer cells have mutations that prevent them from dying. These mutations can be inherited — passed down from parents — or they can happen over time, such as when you are exposed to radiation or tobacco smoke. The mutations may also be caused by things that you do, such as drinking too much alcohol or not exercising regularly.
The first signs of cancer are usually a lump or bump that grows in an area of your body. Some cancers form solid tumors, such as those that develop in the breast, prostate, lung or colon. Other cancers form in blood vessels or fluid-filled organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas or liver. Cancers that start in blood cells (leukemias) or lymph nodes (lymphoma) often spread quickly to other parts of the body, where they can become life-threatening.
In the past, people thought that all diseases started when some of your cells grew out of control and spread to other parts of the body. This idea was based on Rudolf Virchow’s “cellular theory of disease,” which suggested that all diseases, including cancer, originated in individual cells and then proliferated.
Scientists now know that there are other reasons for cancer. They include:
A cancer cell can spread to other parts of the body because it secretes proteins that break apart tissue structures and dissolve cells. It can also create a mass called a tumor and attract blood to it. The blood vessels that feed the tumor provide the nutrients it needs to grow and spread.
Cancer can also be hard to treat because the abnormal cells can grow faster than normal cells. They also use different nutrients and make energy in a different way. Cancer therapy is designed to interfere with the ways that cancer cells behave, so they can no longer grow or spread.
Some of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of getting cancer are to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid smoking. Exercise is also very important, as is a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limiting how much you drink can also help reduce your cancer risk. The good news is that most cancers can be prevented with early detection and treatment. Talk to your doctor about screening tests that can find cancer at its earliest stages.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when some of your own cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. It can also spread to other parts of the body, where it forms new tumors or invades other tissues. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, and each type has its own treatment plan. Your doctor will explain what treatment is best for you. But understanding some general concepts about cancer can help you and your family. Cancer starts when some of your own cells start to grow and divide without control. Normally, your cells grow and die at the right times to keep your body working the way it should. But cancer cells have mutations that prevent them from dying. These mutations can be inherited — passed down from parents — or they can happen over time, such as when you are exposed to radiation or tobacco smoke. The mutations may also be caused by things that you do, such as drinking too much alcohol or not exercising regularly. The first signs of cancer are usually a lump or bump that grows in an area of your body. Some cancers form solid tumors, such as those that develop in the breast, prostate, lung or colon. Other cancers form in blood vessels or fluid-filled organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas or liver. Cancers that start in blood cells (leukemias) or lymph nodes (lymphoma) often spread quickly to other parts of the body, where they can become life-threatening. In the past, people thought that all diseases started when some of your cells grew out of control and spread to other parts of the body. This idea was based on Rudolf Virchow’s “cellular theory of disease,” which suggested that all diseases, including cancer, originated in individual cells and then proliferated. Scientists now know that there are other reasons for cancer. They include: A cancer cell can spread to other parts of the body because it secretes proteins that break apart tissue structures and dissolve cells. It can also create a mass called a tumor and attract blood to it. The blood vessels that feed the tumor provide the nutrients it needs to grow and spread. Cancer can also be hard to treat because the abnormal cells can grow faster than normal cells. They also use different nutrients and make energy in a different way. Cancer therapy is designed to interfere with the ways that cancer cells behave, so they can no longer grow or spread. Some of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of getting cancer are to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid smoking. Exercise is also very important, as is a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limiting how much you drink can also help reduce your cancer risk. The good news is that most cancers can be prevented with early detection and treatment. Talk to your doctor about screening tests that can find cancer at its earliest stages.