Cancer – What is It?
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases that can develop anywhere in the body. Cells are the basic building blocks of the human body and are designed to grow and die in order to repair and replace themselves. When this process becomes disrupted, the body’s ability to repair and replace cells fails. The extra cells that are left behind can begin to grow and form a tumor. The tumour may be benign or malignant, depending on its type. If it is malignant, it can spread and invade surrounding tissues, and may break away and spread to other areas of the body.
The stage of cancer is important because it helps the doctor determine how the cancer is progressing and whether it is likely to spread to other areas of the body. The lower the stage, the more limited the cancer’s spread is. Higher stages, such as stage four, can spread from the primary site to distant organs. Cancer that has spread to distant organs is known as metastatic. It is important to understand the cancer’s stage, because it helps a doctor determine which therapeutic protocols are best for the patient. In addition to helping doctors decide what treatments to prescribe, staging can also help the patient communicate their condition to other healthcare professionals.
Scientists have discovered that cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells. Because DNA contains instructions for cell growth and division, changes in DNA cause cancer. Because cells have the capability to repair mistakes, they will not die unless they are damaged. However, if a cell’s DNA is altered, a cancerous cell will result. The extra cells can form tumors and can be dangerous to the body, depending on where it develops.
While the majority of cancers are not hereditary, the vast majority of them are caused by a genetic defect. Inheritance of these mutations is relatively rare. It accounts for less than three percent of cancer cases in the general population. Although BRCA2 and BRCA1 mutations increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer by seventy-five percent, Lynch syndrome is present in 3% of colorectal cancer cases.
Some types of cancer are more common in older people, and the longer people live, the greater their chance of developing cancer. Many of these types of cancer can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Cancer-causing agents are known as carcinogens, and they alter the behavior of cells by causing mutations. Infections may also be a factor, especially in people with weakened immune systems. The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer and the HIV vaccine can protect against certain forms of cancer.
When it comes to cancer treatment, a primary care physician or a main oncologist may be the best person to consult for treatment. While these tests can help diagnose cancer, many are used as presumptive evidence. Biopsy is the procedure of taking a sample of cancer tissue from a patient’s body. The pathologist analyzes the sample to confirm the diagnosis. Some samples are easy to obtain, while others may require surgery. These tests can be performed on patients without symptoms, and can be beneficial in detecting the disease at an early stage.
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases that can develop anywhere in the body. Cells are the basic building blocks of the human body and are designed to grow and die in order to repair and replace themselves. When this process becomes disrupted, the body’s ability to repair and replace cells fails. The extra cells that are left behind can begin to grow and form a tumor. The tumour may be benign or malignant, depending on its type. If it is malignant, it can spread and invade surrounding tissues, and may break away and spread to other areas of the body. The stage of cancer is important because it helps the doctor determine how the cancer is progressing and whether it is likely to spread to other areas of the body. The lower the stage, the more limited the cancer’s spread is. Higher stages, such as stage four, can spread from the primary site to distant organs. Cancer that has spread to distant organs is known as metastatic. It is important to understand the cancer’s stage, because it helps a doctor determine which therapeutic protocols are best for the patient. In addition to helping doctors decide what treatments to prescribe, staging can also help the patient communicate their condition to other healthcare professionals. Scientists have discovered that cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells. Because DNA contains instructions for cell growth and division, changes in DNA cause cancer. Because cells have the capability to repair mistakes, they will not die unless they are damaged. However, if a cell’s DNA is altered, a cancerous cell will result. The extra cells can form tumors and can be dangerous to the body, depending on where it develops. While the majority of cancers are not hereditary, the vast majority of them are caused by a genetic defect. Inheritance of these mutations is relatively rare. It accounts for less than three percent of cancer cases in the general population. Although BRCA2 and BRCA1 mutations increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer by seventy-five percent, Lynch syndrome is present in 3% of colorectal cancer cases. Some types of cancer are more common in older people, and the longer people live, the greater their chance of developing cancer. Many of these types of cancer can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Cancer-causing agents are known as carcinogens, and they alter the behavior of cells by causing mutations. Infections may also be a factor, especially in people with weakened immune systems. The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer and the HIV vaccine can protect against certain forms of cancer. When it comes to cancer treatment, a primary care physician or a main oncologist may be the best person to consult for treatment. While these tests can help diagnose cancer, many are used as presumptive evidence. Biopsy is the procedure of taking a sample of cancer tissue from a patient’s body. The pathologist analyzes the sample to confirm the diagnosis. Some samples are easy to obtain, while others may require surgery. These tests can be performed on patients without symptoms, and can be beneficial in detecting the disease at an early stage.