What is Cancer and What Are the Side Effects?
Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control and form tumors. The abnormal cells may also spread to other parts of the body by microscopic movements called metastasis. Cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other methods. A cure is usually possible if the cancer is detected early and treated promptly.
The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Over a lifetime, the cells in our bodies grow and divide to replace old or damaged cells, or to become new cells that are needed. But sometimes, the normal process goes wrong. Cancer develops when a single cell has many genetic changes. These changes can cause the cell to grow out of control and divide without stopping when it should. The abnormal cells continue to grow and multiply until they crowd out normal cells or invade adjacent tissue. Cancer cells can also secrete enzymes that break down tissue barriers and allow cancer cells to spread.
A variety of different cancers can occur, and each type has its own unique characteristics. The type of cancer that you have determines the symptoms you will experience and how quickly it will spread. Some cancers will not show any signs or symptoms and are diagnosed only by a biopsy or other medical tests. Others will show warning signs that you should watch for and talk to your doctor about, even though these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes some cancers to grow and spread. But they do know that certain substances can cause mutations in the DNA of healthy cells, which could lead to cancer. These substances are known as mutagens, and some types of cancer are linked to specific environmental toxins. For example, cigarette smoke is associated with lung cancer and prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers is linked to mesothelioma.
Most people who get cancer are not aware that they have it until it is diagnosed by a doctor or during a screening test for another illness. Symptoms of cancer can vary and include pain, weight loss, fatigue, or a lump in the skin or breasts.
Many people who have cancer feel better after treatment. However, side effects are common and can be serious. They can be caused by the type of cancer you have, the treatment you receive, or both. Some side effects can be prevented by taking medicine. Other side effects are less predictable and may be more serious. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of treatment to find the best plan for you. The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. For some cancers, doctors can combine these treatments to shrink a tumor before surgery or kill cancer cells that remain after surgery. Some types of cancer also respond to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other therapies. Click on the links below to learn more about the different types of cancer and how they are treated.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control and form tumors. The abnormal cells may also spread to other parts of the body by microscopic movements called metastasis. Cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other methods. A cure is usually possible if the cancer is detected early and treated promptly. The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Over a lifetime, the cells in our bodies grow and divide to replace old or damaged cells, or to become new cells that are needed. But sometimes, the normal process goes wrong. Cancer develops when a single cell has many genetic changes. These changes can cause the cell to grow out of control and divide without stopping when it should. The abnormal cells continue to grow and multiply until they crowd out normal cells or invade adjacent tissue. Cancer cells can also secrete enzymes that break down tissue barriers and allow cancer cells to spread. A variety of different cancers can occur, and each type has its own unique characteristics. The type of cancer that you have determines the symptoms you will experience and how quickly it will spread. Some cancers will not show any signs or symptoms and are diagnosed only by a biopsy or other medical tests. Others will show warning signs that you should watch for and talk to your doctor about, even though these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Scientists aren’t sure what causes some cancers to grow and spread. But they do know that certain substances can cause mutations in the DNA of healthy cells, which could lead to cancer. These substances are known as mutagens, and some types of cancer are linked to specific environmental toxins. For example, cigarette smoke is associated with lung cancer and prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers is linked to mesothelioma. Most people who get cancer are not aware that they have it until it is diagnosed by a doctor or during a screening test for another illness. Symptoms of cancer can vary and include pain, weight loss, fatigue, or a lump in the skin or breasts. Many people who have cancer feel better after treatment. However, side effects are common and can be serious. They can be caused by the type of cancer you have, the treatment you receive, or both. Some side effects can be prevented by taking medicine. Other side effects are less predictable and may be more serious. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of treatment to find the best plan for you. The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. For some cancers, doctors can combine these treatments to shrink a tumor before surgery or kill cancer cells that remain after surgery. Some types of cancer also respond to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other therapies. Click on the links below to learn more about the different types of cancer and how they are treated.