What is Cancer?
While it can be hard to think of a single disease called cancer, there are more than 100 types. Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells grow abnormally and begin to spread throughout the body. In order for cells to be healthy, they grow and divide normally. Then, when they get damaged, they die and new cells take their place. However, in cancer, the orderly process gets interrupted by genetic changes. Some cancers begin as solid tumors, but some do not and remain in individual cells.
In addition to spreading through the bloodstream, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. These cells can reach distant organs or lymph nodes. Although most cancer cells die before spreading, some can survive in a new location and develop into a new tumor. This process is known as metastasis. Cancer cells can also travel through the lymphatic system to form a new tumor. Hence, it is important to treat cancer in its early stages.
Cancer begins in cells that are abnormal and do not respond to the signals that normally tell the cells to stop dividing or die. They continue to grow uncontrolled in a culture setting, akin to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in the body. Cancer cells also fail to respond to growth factors that normal cells receive in the body. This means that they will continue to grow to a very high cell density in a tissue. This process simulates how cancer cells grow and spread.
The causes of cancer vary widely. But most types involve multiple changes in gene sequences. For example, some cancer cells have double the number of chromosomes, while others make energy in a manner that is different than that of normal cells. Because cancer cells cannot survive without these abnormal characteristics, researchers have developed therapies that target these traits. Ultimately, cancer can be prevented and cured. And it is never too late to start fighting cancer. However, it is important to remember that many people die from the disease.
The primary goal of cancer treatment is to cure the disease. Various types of treatments may be used, such as chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and radiation therapy. As research continues, new cancer treatments are emerging, including designer drugs and other ways to fight the disease. Some of these drugs inhibit tumor growth or correct genetic defects that cause cancer. In addition, they may aid the immune system to fight cancer. However, it is important to remember that the symptoms of cancer can be related to other conditions, which should be addressed by a medical professional.
A person’s genetic code determines how the cells grow. Cancer cells change the instructions for normal cell growth. It’s possible for cancer cells to inherit this mutation from a parent, but this does not mean the person is genetically predisposed. There are also risk factors for cancer such as smoking and sun exposure, and these can increase the risk of developing the disease. The most common risk factor for cancer is smoking, but this is not always the case. Cancer is caused by mutations in one or more of these genes, and smoking increases the risk of certain types of cancer.
While it can be hard to think of a single disease called cancer, there are more than 100 types. Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells grow abnormally and begin to spread throughout the body. In order for cells to be healthy, they grow and divide normally. Then, when they get damaged, they die and new cells take their place. However, in cancer, the orderly process gets interrupted by genetic changes. Some cancers begin as solid tumors, but some do not and remain in individual cells. In addition to spreading through the bloodstream, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. These cells can reach distant organs or lymph nodes. Although most cancer cells die before spreading, some can survive in a new location and develop into a new tumor. This process is known as metastasis. Cancer cells can also travel through the lymphatic system to form a new tumor. Hence, it is important to treat cancer in its early stages. Cancer begins in cells that are abnormal and do not respond to the signals that normally tell the cells to stop dividing or die. They continue to grow uncontrolled in a culture setting, akin to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in the body. Cancer cells also fail to respond to growth factors that normal cells receive in the body. This means that they will continue to grow to a very high cell density in a tissue. This process simulates how cancer cells grow and spread. The causes of cancer vary widely. But most types involve multiple changes in gene sequences. For example, some cancer cells have double the number of chromosomes, while others make energy in a manner that is different than that of normal cells. Because cancer cells cannot survive without these abnormal characteristics, researchers have developed therapies that target these traits. Ultimately, cancer can be prevented and cured. And it is never too late to start fighting cancer. However, it is important to remember that many people die from the disease. The primary goal of cancer treatment is to cure the disease. Various types of treatments may be used, such as chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and radiation therapy. As research continues, new cancer treatments are emerging, including designer drugs and other ways to fight the disease. Some of these drugs inhibit tumor growth or correct genetic defects that cause cancer. In addition, they may aid the immune system to fight cancer. However, it is important to remember that the symptoms of cancer can be related to other conditions, which should be addressed by a medical professional. A person’s genetic code determines how the cells grow. Cancer cells change the instructions for normal cell growth. It’s possible for cancer cells to inherit this mutation from a parent, but this does not mean the person is genetically predisposed. There are also risk factors for cancer such as smoking and sun exposure, and these can increase the risk of developing the disease. The most common risk factor for cancer is smoking, but this is not always the case. Cancer is caused by mutations in one or more of these genes, and smoking increases the risk of certain types of cancer.