Cancer – A Disease That Starts in Cells
Cancer is a disease that starts in cells, the tiny units that make up tissues and organs. Cells give the body structure and are also responsible for growth, repair, and other essential functions.
Cancers develop when a person’s genes mutate (change) and they become abnormal, or cancerous. Mutations may be caused by inherited (passed on from parents to offspring) or environmental factors. Most cancers begin when cells start to grow and divide uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can crowd out normal healthy cells and interfere with how the body works. Cancer cells can also spread from the original site of the cancer to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis.
Most cancers start in the tissues that line the inside or outside of organs. Other types of cancer start in blood cells or in the tissues that produce them. The earliest descriptions of cancer included several different kinds, but they were all described as masses or tumors that invaded other tissues and caused pain, swelling, and other symptoms.
The development of modern medicine in the 20th century led to a deeper understanding of how cancer develops and how it can be treated. The cellular theory of disease postulated that all diseases, including cancer, were caused by changes in cells that proliferated too rapidly. This knowledge was confirmed by advances in molecular biology, which showed that mutations in genes were responsible for the alterations in cells that led to cancer.
Often cancer cells form into large masses or tumors that may be painful or disfiguring and cause other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting. Cancer cells can also infiltrate the body’s organs and damage tissue, affecting the way a person functions.
People with cancer sometimes feel tired, have problems with their hair or nails, or have other side effects of treatment. Some treatments can also damage healthy tissue, such as nerves or muscles. It is important for people to be aware of the possible side effects and talk with their doctors about them.
Cancer can be cured in many cases. However, some cancers will return after treatment and need to be monitored for recurrence. Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, doctors use different treatments to try to cure or control the cancer. New ways to treat cancer are always being studied and tested.
It is important to remember that cancer and its treatment can be very stressful for people. Everyone needs support from family and friends. It is also important to take time to do things that you enjoy. This can help you maintain a sense of normalcy in your life and feel stronger to fight the cancer. If you have questions about your support network or how to deal with stress, ask your doctor. It is very important to tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms, such as fatigue or a fever. They can check whether these new symptoms are caused by your cancer or if you have another illness, such as an infection.
Cancer is a disease that starts in cells, the tiny units that make up tissues and organs. Cells give the body structure and are also responsible for growth, repair, and other essential functions. Cancers develop when a person’s genes mutate (change) and they become abnormal, or cancerous. Mutations may be caused by inherited (passed on from parents to offspring) or environmental factors. Most cancers begin when cells start to grow and divide uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can crowd out normal healthy cells and interfere with how the body works. Cancer cells can also spread from the original site of the cancer to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. Most cancers start in the tissues that line the inside or outside of organs. Other types of cancer start in blood cells or in the tissues that produce them. The earliest descriptions of cancer included several different kinds, but they were all described as masses or tumors that invaded other tissues and caused pain, swelling, and other symptoms. The development of modern medicine in the 20th century led to a deeper understanding of how cancer develops and how it can be treated. The cellular theory of disease postulated that all diseases, including cancer, were caused by changes in cells that proliferated too rapidly. This knowledge was confirmed by advances in molecular biology, which showed that mutations in genes were responsible for the alterations in cells that led to cancer. Often cancer cells form into large masses or tumors that may be painful or disfiguring and cause other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting. Cancer cells can also infiltrate the body’s organs and damage tissue, affecting the way a person functions. People with cancer sometimes feel tired, have problems with their hair or nails, or have other side effects of treatment. Some treatments can also damage healthy tissue, such as nerves or muscles. It is important for people to be aware of the possible side effects and talk with their doctors about them. Cancer can be cured in many cases. However, some cancers will return after treatment and need to be monitored for recurrence. Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, doctors use different treatments to try to cure or control the cancer. New ways to treat cancer are always being studied and tested. It is important to remember that cancer and its treatment can be very stressful for people. Everyone needs support from family and friends. It is also important to take time to do things that you enjoy. This can help you maintain a sense of normalcy in your life and feel stronger to fight the cancer. If you have questions about your support network or how to deal with stress, ask your doctor. It is very important to tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms, such as fatigue or a fever. They can check whether these new symptoms are caused by your cancer or if you have another illness, such as an infection.