Cancer – What it is and How it Can Be Treated
Cancer isn’t just one disease – there are more than 100 different types of it. They start in cells, which are the basic building blocks that make up tissue, such as skin, blood and bones. Normally, cells grow and divide to create new ones as the body needs them. But sometimes cancer cells can grow out of control and begin forming abnormal masses of tissue, called tumours. In some cases, these tumours can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system (the soft spongy area inside most bones).
Cancer can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapies and other drugs. But it’s important to remember that not all cancers can be cured. For some cancers, the aim is to keep them under control so they don’t come back or get worse. This is known as remission.
Most cancers start due to changes in DNA that happen over a person’s lifetime. But some start because of inherited faulty genes passed down in families.
The word cancer comes from the Greek for “unwanted growth”. It’s important to look out for any unusual lumps or swellings, especially if they keep growing or are painful. It’s also worth letting your doctor know if you have frequent, unexplained pain or fever.
Some cancers cause symptoms such as weight loss, tiredness and bleeding from the bowel or gums. Other cancers have no symptoms at all, but can be found by medical tests or scans.
When cancer is diagnosed, doctors will talk to you about your treatment options and explain how long they think it might be before the cancer goes away for good. The type of treatment you choose depends on your personal circumstances, and your preferences about how you want to live.
As the cancer grows, it can spread to nearby tissue by pushing on normal cells or by making enzymes that break down other tissues. If it spreads to other parts of the body, this is known as metastasis.
Cancer can steal nutrients from the healthy tissues around it, which makes people feel very tired. It can also lead to a high temperature, or fever. Fever is a common symptom of infections such as flu or colds, but it’s worth getting checked by your doctor if you have a persistent fever.
Some cancers may go into remission, which means that the cancer is not spreading or getting bigger and that there’s a chance it will stay that way for years. But if the cancer does return, it’s important to discuss what you want to do next with your healthcare team and with family and friends.
Cancer isn’t just one disease – there are more than 100 different types of it. They start in cells, which are the basic building blocks that make up tissue, such as skin, blood and bones. Normally, cells grow and divide to create new ones as the body needs them. But sometimes cancer cells can grow out of control and begin forming abnormal masses of tissue, called tumours. In some cases, these tumours can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system (the soft spongy area inside most bones). Cancer can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapies and other drugs. But it’s important to remember that not all cancers can be cured. For some cancers, the aim is to keep them under control so they don’t come back or get worse. This is known as remission. Most cancers start due to changes in DNA that happen over a person’s lifetime. But some start because of inherited faulty genes passed down in families. The word cancer comes from the Greek for “unwanted growth”. It’s important to look out for any unusual lumps or swellings, especially if they keep growing or are painful. It’s also worth letting your doctor know if you have frequent, unexplained pain or fever. Some cancers cause symptoms such as weight loss, tiredness and bleeding from the bowel or gums. Other cancers have no symptoms at all, but can be found by medical tests or scans. When cancer is diagnosed, doctors will talk to you about your treatment options and explain how long they think it might be before the cancer goes away for good. The type of treatment you choose depends on your personal circumstances, and your preferences about how you want to live. As the cancer grows, it can spread to nearby tissue by pushing on normal cells or by making enzymes that break down other tissues. If it spreads to other parts of the body, this is known as metastasis. Cancer can steal nutrients from the healthy tissues around it, which makes people feel very tired. It can also lead to a high temperature, or fever. Fever is a common symptom of infections such as flu or colds, but it’s worth getting checked by your doctor if you have a persistent fever. Some cancers may go into remission, which means that the cancer is not spreading or getting bigger and that there’s a chance it will stay that way for years. But if the cancer does return, it’s important to discuss what you want to do next with your healthcare team and with family and friends.