Cancer – What is It and How Can It Affect You?
Cancer is an illness that occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably. These cells can then form a mass of tissue called a tumour, and if the cancer is not treated it can spread to other parts of the body.
Cells that grow and multiply normally in the body are controlled by a set of instructions that are encoded in our DNA. These instructions tell the cells when to start dividing, and when to stop dividing. During the process of cell division, mistakes can happen. When a mistake occurs, the cell’s DNA can be damaged. Damaged DNA is referred to as a mutation. These mutations can occur in one or more of the genes that control how the cells grow and divide. Mutations can be caused by both genetic factors that we are born with, and by environmental factors such as smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol, exposure to radiation and sunburns, unhealthy diets, infections, obesity, unsafe sex and exposure to certain chemicals and substances.
Some of these mutations lead to a cancer that starts in the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. The majority of cancers however, start in a tissue such as breast, lung or colon. When a tumour forms, it may affect the tissue that surrounds it and can also impact other organs such as the lungs, liver and bones.
The different types of cancer have their own characteristics. They vary in what tissue they develop from, how fast the cancer grows and spreads, and what symptoms it causes.
Cancers are usually classified into stages based on how far the tumour has progressed. Stage 1 is when the tumour is still localized to the site of origin, a stage 2 when it has spread to nearby tissues and stages 3 through 5 when the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumour to other areas of the body, which is referred to as metastatic cancer.
Some types of cancer can be cured at early stages, and others can be controlled with medication or surgery. Unfortunately, many of the most common cancers can take decades to develop and are only detected when they reach advanced stages. This is why it’s important to practice preventive health measures and report any unusual, persistent symptoms to your doctor.
Cancer is not preventable, but there are steps that can be taken to lower your risk of getting it. While only 5-10% of cancer cases can be attributed to hereditary genetic mutations, the vast majority of cancers are caused by lifestyle choices and exposure to carcinogens. This includes cigarette smoke, poor diet (fried foods and red meat), excessive drinking of alcohol, excessive sun exposure and exposure to radiation. This is why it’s important to limit these habits, exercise regularly, and get regular screenings.
Cancer is an illness that occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably. These cells can then form a mass of tissue called a tumour, and if the cancer is not treated it can spread to other parts of the body. Cells that grow and multiply normally in the body are controlled by a set of instructions that are encoded in our DNA. These instructions tell the cells when to start dividing, and when to stop dividing. During the process of cell division, mistakes can happen. When a mistake occurs, the cell’s DNA can be damaged. Damaged DNA is referred to as a mutation. These mutations can occur in one or more of the genes that control how the cells grow and divide. Mutations can be caused by both genetic factors that we are born with, and by environmental factors such as smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol, exposure to radiation and sunburns, unhealthy diets, infections, obesity, unsafe sex and exposure to certain chemicals and substances. Some of these mutations lead to a cancer that starts in the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. The majority of cancers however, start in a tissue such as breast, lung or colon. When a tumour forms, it may affect the tissue that surrounds it and can also impact other organs such as the lungs, liver and bones. The different types of cancer have their own characteristics. They vary in what tissue they develop from, how fast the cancer grows and spreads, and what symptoms it causes. Cancers are usually classified into stages based on how far the tumour has progressed. Stage 1 is when the tumour is still localized to the site of origin, a stage 2 when it has spread to nearby tissues and stages 3 through 5 when the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumour to other areas of the body, which is referred to as metastatic cancer. Some types of cancer can be cured at early stages, and others can be controlled with medication or surgery. Unfortunately, many of the most common cancers can take decades to develop and are only detected when they reach advanced stages. This is why it’s important to practice preventive health measures and report any unusual, persistent symptoms to your doctor. Cancer is not preventable, but there are steps that can be taken to lower your risk of getting it. While only 5-10% of cancer cases can be attributed to hereditary genetic mutations, the vast majority of cancers are caused by lifestyle choices and exposure to carcinogens. This includes cigarette smoke, poor diet (fried foods and red meat), excessive drinking of alcohol, excessive sun exposure and exposure to radiation. This is why it’s important to limit these habits, exercise regularly, and get regular screenings.