What is Cancer and How Can it Affect You?
A cancer is a disease that develops when some cells in your body start to grow and multiply out of control. It can affect any type of tissue in the body, but all cancers share one thing in common – they are a group of abnormal cells that keep growing and spreading into other parts of your body.
All living tissues are made up of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organs and other tissues. Cells are constantly dividing and producing new cells as old ones die. This process happens millions of times a day and is vital to the normal function of our bodies. However, if the process goes wrong, cells do not die when they should, and old or abnormal cells can continue to grow out of control, forming masses (also called tumors).
Thirty years ago, scientists could not offer a coherent explanation for how cancers arise in the human body. They knew that certain chemicals, radiation, and viruses can cause cancers to start, but they did not understand how the abnormal cells came to be in the first place.
Today, a revolution in the methods of biological research allows us to understand cancers at the genetic level. As a result, we can now target prevention, detection, and treatment efforts directly at the genes that produce precancerous cells. We are now able to see how these cells change over time, giving rise to cancers in different parts of the body.
Most cancers are diagnosed after a health care professional suspects the patient has symptoms or after a physical exam and medical history. Depending on the type of cancer, the health care professional may order blood tests to measure certain hormones or other substances in the blood that are linked with some types of cancer. These tests are often used to help determine the stage of the cancer.
A health care professional can also order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to examine the cancer and see how it has spread. Many cancers can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Other cancers may be treated with drugs or immune system therapies.
People who have had cancer can sometimes worry that their cancer will come back, and this can interfere with their daily lives. There are ways to manage these worries, such as distraction and finding support from family and friends. If these strategies do not work, it may be helpful to talk with a mental health professional.
A cancer is a disease that develops when some cells in your body start to grow and multiply out of control. It can affect any type of tissue in the body, but all cancers share one thing in common – they are a group of abnormal cells that keep growing and spreading into other parts of your body. All living tissues are made up of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organs and other tissues. Cells are constantly dividing and producing new cells as old ones die. This process happens millions of times a day and is vital to the normal function of our bodies. However, if the process goes wrong, cells do not die when they should, and old or abnormal cells can continue to grow out of control, forming masses (also called tumors). Thirty years ago, scientists could not offer a coherent explanation for how cancers arise in the human body. They knew that certain chemicals, radiation, and viruses can cause cancers to start, but they did not understand how the abnormal cells came to be in the first place. Today, a revolution in the methods of biological research allows us to understand cancers at the genetic level. As a result, we can now target prevention, detection, and treatment efforts directly at the genes that produce precancerous cells. We are now able to see how these cells change over time, giving rise to cancers in different parts of the body. Most cancers are diagnosed after a health care professional suspects the patient has symptoms or after a physical exam and medical history. Depending on the type of cancer, the health care professional may order blood tests to measure certain hormones or other substances in the blood that are linked with some types of cancer. These tests are often used to help determine the stage of the cancer. A health care professional can also order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to examine the cancer and see how it has spread. Many cancers can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Other cancers may be treated with drugs or immune system therapies. People who have had cancer can sometimes worry that their cancer will come back, and this can interfere with their daily lives. There are ways to manage these worries, such as distraction and finding support from family and friends. If these strategies do not work, it may be helpful to talk with a mental health professional.