Cancer – Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
Cancer is an illness that occurs when cells grow out of control and form growths called tumors. The disease can be fatal if it spreads beyond the place where it started. Treatment can shrink tumors, ease symptoms, and help people live longer. New treatments are being developed all the time.
Most cancers develop when genes that manage cell activity mutate, or change. The changes cause cells to grow and divide out of control, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. These cells can then gather in large numbers and form tumors. Cancers can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system, where they can then grow and form more tumors.
Doctors can’t say for sure what causes most cancers. But they do know that things like smoking, not wearing sun protection, and getting older increase the chances of developing them. And some cancers run in families. People who have a history of certain types of cancer are more likely to get them again.
The type and stage of cancer determines the best treatment plan. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other medicines and procedures. The goal of treatment is to cure the cancer or keep it from coming back.
Different types of cancer grow at different rates and spread differently. Some stay mainly in the area where they start. Others spread to nearby tissues and can break off and travel to other parts of the body. Some cancers form solid tumors, while others form masses of tissue called lesions or neoplasms.
Some types of cancer are fueled by hormones, such as those in the breasts, prostate, and ovaries. Hormone therapy uses medicines or surgery to block the body’s natural hormones and slow cancer growth. Other treatments use heat to kill cancer cells, without harming healthy cells. These treatments include hyperthermia and brachytherapy, which delivers radiation or heated liquids directly to the site of the cancer.
When cancer is caught early, it is much easier to treat than if it spreads. The most common way to prevent cancer is to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limiting fatty foods, processed meats, added sugar, and alcohol can also reduce cancer risk.
Some people have a kind of cancer that doesn’t respond well to treatment. If a person’s cancer hasn’t spread, doctors can use a strategy called active surveillance to monitor the cancer and take action as soon as any symptoms appear. This approach is most often used for prostate and lung cancers. In this case, doctors watch the cancer closely with regular PSA tests, MRI scans, and biopsies. They can then decide whether to begin treatment right away or to wait and see if the cancer progresses. This is sometimes called “watchful waiting.” It’s important to remember that not all symptoms or illnesses are caused by cancer or its treatment. So if you have cancer, you should still get regular health exams and visit your doctor if you have any new or unusual symptoms.
Cancer is an illness that occurs when cells grow out of control and form growths called tumors. The disease can be fatal if it spreads beyond the place where it started. Treatment can shrink tumors, ease symptoms, and help people live longer. New treatments are being developed all the time. Most cancers develop when genes that manage cell activity mutate, or change. The changes cause cells to grow and divide out of control, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. These cells can then gather in large numbers and form tumors. Cancers can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system, where they can then grow and form more tumors. Doctors can’t say for sure what causes most cancers. But they do know that things like smoking, not wearing sun protection, and getting older increase the chances of developing them. And some cancers run in families. People who have a history of certain types of cancer are more likely to get them again. The type and stage of cancer determines the best treatment plan. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other medicines and procedures. The goal of treatment is to cure the cancer or keep it from coming back. Different types of cancer grow at different rates and spread differently. Some stay mainly in the area where they start. Others spread to nearby tissues and can break off and travel to other parts of the body. Some cancers form solid tumors, while others form masses of tissue called lesions or neoplasms. Some types of cancer are fueled by hormones, such as those in the breasts, prostate, and ovaries. Hormone therapy uses medicines or surgery to block the body’s natural hormones and slow cancer growth. Other treatments use heat to kill cancer cells, without harming healthy cells. These treatments include hyperthermia and brachytherapy, which delivers radiation or heated liquids directly to the site of the cancer. When cancer is caught early, it is much easier to treat than if it spreads. The most common way to prevent cancer is to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limiting fatty foods, processed meats, added sugar, and alcohol can also reduce cancer risk. Some people have a kind of cancer that doesn’t respond well to treatment. If a person’s cancer hasn’t spread, doctors can use a strategy called active surveillance to monitor the cancer and take action as soon as any symptoms appear. This approach is most often used for prostate and lung cancers. In this case, doctors watch the cancer closely with regular PSA tests, MRI scans, and biopsies. They can then decide whether to begin treatment right away or to wait and see if the cancer progresses. This is sometimes called “watchful waiting.” It’s important to remember that not all symptoms or illnesses are caused by cancer or its treatment. So if you have cancer, you should still get regular health exams and visit your doctor if you have any new or unusual symptoms.