What is Cancer?
Cancer is a very serious disease that makes people very sick and sometimes can be deadly. It can be found in many parts of the body and almost every person knows someone who has been very sick or died from this disease. Cancer is actually a group of diseases that have to do with cells (the tiny units that make up everything in the human body). Cancer happens when certain genes change and no longer work properly, or they get so damaged that they start growing and spreading very fast. The cells that grow and spread rapidly are called tumors (say: TOO-merz). They may also clump together into a lump or mass. A tumor can destroy and injure the surrounding tissue and damage organs around it. The abnormal cells also can travel through the blood or lymph system to other parts of the body and start a new cancer there. This is called metastasis.
Normal cells are made in all tissues of the body to keep the body working normally. They are also made to replace old or damaged cells that die. There is a balance between these two processes that keeps the number of cells in the body stable. Cancer occurs when genetic alterations tip this balance in favor of excessive cell growth.
A cancerous tumor usually starts in a single cell. This cell then becomes a source of cancerous cells that grow and multiply out of control. These cancerous cells can outnumber the normal cells in an area, and they can also behave differently from normal cells. They can grow and divide more quickly, and they can ignore signals that tell other cells to stop growing or to die. They can also invade other tissues and spread to distant locations in the body.
Cancerous cells may also be able to hide from the immune system, and they can trick the body’s blood vessels into growing toward the tumor to supply it with nutrients and oxygen. The tumor cells can also change the way that it gets energy from the nutrients, so that it grows faster.
There are many different types of cancer, and each has its own treatment. Your doctor will decide what treatment to use based on the type and stage of your cancer, your general health, and your preferences.
Some types of cancer can be prevented by staying physically active and eating a healthy diet. It is also important to get regular screening tests, such as a colonoscopy or mammography, to catch cancer early when it is smaller and easier to treat.
If you notice any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. You should also let your doctor know if you have any persistent problems, such as bleeding or a lump in your skin. This way, your doctor can find out what is causing your symptoms and help you take care of them. Some symptoms of cancer are easy to notice, such as unexplained weight loss or a feeling that something is wrong with your bowels. Other symptoms are harder to detect, but they are still worth checking out with your doctor.
Cancer is a very serious disease that makes people very sick and sometimes can be deadly. It can be found in many parts of the body and almost every person knows someone who has been very sick or died from this disease. Cancer is actually a group of diseases that have to do with cells (the tiny units that make up everything in the human body). Cancer happens when certain genes change and no longer work properly, or they get so damaged that they start growing and spreading very fast. The cells that grow and spread rapidly are called tumors (say: TOO-merz). They may also clump together into a lump or mass. A tumor can destroy and injure the surrounding tissue and damage organs around it. The abnormal cells also can travel through the blood or lymph system to other parts of the body and start a new cancer there. This is called metastasis. Normal cells are made in all tissues of the body to keep the body working normally. They are also made to replace old or damaged cells that die. There is a balance between these two processes that keeps the number of cells in the body stable. Cancer occurs when genetic alterations tip this balance in favor of excessive cell growth. A cancerous tumor usually starts in a single cell. This cell then becomes a source of cancerous cells that grow and multiply out of control. These cancerous cells can outnumber the normal cells in an area, and they can also behave differently from normal cells. They can grow and divide more quickly, and they can ignore signals that tell other cells to stop growing or to die. They can also invade other tissues and spread to distant locations in the body. Cancerous cells may also be able to hide from the immune system, and they can trick the body’s blood vessels into growing toward the tumor to supply it with nutrients and oxygen. The tumor cells can also change the way that it gets energy from the nutrients, so that it grows faster. There are many different types of cancer, and each has its own treatment. Your doctor will decide what treatment to use based on the type and stage of your cancer, your general health, and your preferences. Some types of cancer can be prevented by staying physically active and eating a healthy diet. It is also important to get regular screening tests, such as a colonoscopy or mammography, to catch cancer early when it is smaller and easier to treat. If you notice any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. You should also let your doctor know if you have any persistent problems, such as bleeding or a lump in your skin. This way, your doctor can find out what is causing your symptoms and help you take care of them. Some symptoms of cancer are easy to notice, such as unexplained weight loss or a feeling that something is wrong with your bowels. Other symptoms are harder to detect, but they are still worth checking out with your doctor.