Different Types of Cancer
Cancer isn’t one disease but many different types of cancer. These types differ in how fast they grow and spread, what part of the body they start in and which organs they affect. Some are more likely to stay in one place, while others spread quickly and are harder to treat.
Cancer usually starts when cells change and no longer grow or die when they should. Cells that grow and divide too often or don’t die when they should may become abnormal and form tumors (say: TOO-merz). Cancer cells also ignore signals that tell other cells to stop growing or to die, and they can damage nearby tissues.
A person’s chance of getting cancer is partly a matter of luck, but lifestyle choices and environmental risks can increase or decrease the risk. Genetic changes that contribute to cancer can happen by accident, but they’re also passed down from parents and grandparents. These genetic changes are called mutations. Mutations in genes can change proteins that control how the cells grow, repair themselves or die. They can also cause the genes to mutate into cancer-causing genes.
Inherited genetic mutations play a role in about 5 to 10 percent of cancers. But other factors, such as smoking and exposure to harmful substances in the environment, play a much bigger role.
Scientists are working hard to develop new ways to treat cancer. They’re studying medicines that block the growth of cancer cells, help cells repair themselves or prevent them from dividing, and use the body’s immune system to fight cancer. They’re also developing tests to find out whether a person has cancer and to help plan treatment.
People who are diagnosed with cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy and sometimes with other drugs. Symptoms can be controlled with medicines that reduce the amount of cancer tissue, relieve pain and discomfort and make the patient feel more normal.
Cancer can be prevented in some cases by not smoking, staying out of the sun, eating a well-balanced diet and exercising most days of the week. Scientists are learning more about how to prevent cancer and how to find it early when it is easier to treat.
Anyone who has symptoms that don’t go away should see their doctor. Symptoms that can be caused by cancer include unusual tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest, a lump or thickening of an area of the skin, a new or changing mole, a sore that won’t heal and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). The earlier a cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.
Cancer isn’t one disease but many different types of cancer. These types differ in how fast they grow and spread, what part of the body they start in and which organs they affect. Some are more likely to stay in one place, while others spread quickly and are harder to treat. Cancer usually starts when cells change and no longer grow or die when they should. Cells that grow and divide too often or don’t die when they should may become abnormal and form tumors (say: TOO-merz). Cancer cells also ignore signals that tell other cells to stop growing or to die, and they can damage nearby tissues. A person’s chance of getting cancer is partly a matter of luck, but lifestyle choices and environmental risks can increase or decrease the risk. Genetic changes that contribute to cancer can happen by accident, but they’re also passed down from parents and grandparents. These genetic changes are called mutations. Mutations in genes can change proteins that control how the cells grow, repair themselves or die. They can also cause the genes to mutate into cancer-causing genes. Inherited genetic mutations play a role in about 5 to 10 percent of cancers. But other factors, such as smoking and exposure to harmful substances in the environment, play a much bigger role. Scientists are working hard to develop new ways to treat cancer. They’re studying medicines that block the growth of cancer cells, help cells repair themselves or prevent them from dividing, and use the body’s immune system to fight cancer. They’re also developing tests to find out whether a person has cancer and to help plan treatment. People who are diagnosed with cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy and sometimes with other drugs. Symptoms can be controlled with medicines that reduce the amount of cancer tissue, relieve pain and discomfort and make the patient feel more normal. Cancer can be prevented in some cases by not smoking, staying out of the sun, eating a well-balanced diet and exercising most days of the week. Scientists are learning more about how to prevent cancer and how to find it early when it is easier to treat. Anyone who has symptoms that don’t go away should see their doctor. Symptoms that can be caused by cancer include unusual tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest, a lump or thickening of an area of the skin, a new or changing mole, a sore that won’t heal and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). The earlier a cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.