Cancer – What it is and How it Can Affect You
Cancer is a group of diseases that starts when cells grow out of control and form a mass (tumour). There are many different types of cancer, but they all start in cells. Normal cells need to grow and make copies of themselves in a controlled way so they can develop into different tissues and organs. But sometimes a change happens (mutation) in the genes that tell cells how to grow and copy themselves. This can cause cells to go haywire and start growing and making more cancer cells or to spread to other parts of the body. It takes about six mutations to turn a normal cell into a cancer cell. Mutations can happen because of things that happen inside your body, such as exposure to radiation or chemicals in tobacco smoke. They can also be caused by things from outside the body, such as viruses or pollution. Mutations can also be inherited, which means you have a fault in one or more of your genes and are more likely to get a particular type of cancer.
When a cancer is diagnosed, doctors can use tests to check if you have the right mix of cells to be cancerous and to see how quickly the cancer is growing. They can then recommend treatment to control the cancer or treat any symptoms that are causing them.
Some cancers are more common than others, but many cancers are preventable. The biggest preventable causes are things you can control, such as not smoking or drinking too much alcohol and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. You can also protect yourself from some cancers by getting vaccinated. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent cervical and other genital cancers and the Hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce your risk of liver cancer.
The first signs of cancer can be anything from a painless lump in your breast to a persistent cough or a sore that won’t heal. If you notice any of these, make an appointment with your doctor. Tell your doctor how long you have had the symptom and how often it has happened. They will ask you questions about your general health and may do some tests to figure out what is causing it, such as blood tests or an ultrasound scan. They may also refer you to a specialist or take a biopsy.
Cancer is a group of diseases that starts when cells grow out of control and form a mass (tumour). There are many different types of cancer, but they all start in cells. Normal cells need to grow and make copies of themselves in a controlled way so they can develop into different tissues and organs. But sometimes a change happens (mutation) in the genes that tell cells how to grow and copy themselves. This can cause cells to go haywire and start growing and making more cancer cells or to spread to other parts of the body. It takes about six mutations to turn a normal cell into a cancer cell. Mutations can happen because of things that happen inside your body, such as exposure to radiation or chemicals in tobacco smoke. They can also be caused by things from outside the body, such as viruses or pollution. Mutations can also be inherited, which means you have a fault in one or more of your genes and are more likely to get a particular type of cancer. When a cancer is diagnosed, doctors can use tests to check if you have the right mix of cells to be cancerous and to see how quickly the cancer is growing. They can then recommend treatment to control the cancer or treat any symptoms that are causing them. Some cancers are more common than others, but many cancers are preventable. The biggest preventable causes are things you can control, such as not smoking or drinking too much alcohol and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. You can also protect yourself from some cancers by getting vaccinated. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent cervical and other genital cancers and the Hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce your risk of liver cancer. The first signs of cancer can be anything from a painless lump in your breast to a persistent cough or a sore that won’t heal. If you notice any of these, make an appointment with your doctor. Tell your doctor how long you have had the symptom and how often it has happened. They will ask you questions about your general health and may do some tests to figure out what is causing it, such as blood tests or an ultrasound scan. They may also refer you to a specialist or take a biopsy.