Cancer – What it is and How it Can Affect You
Cancer is a disease that causes cells in the body to grow and divide out of control. It can happen anywhere in the body. Cancer can damage the body’s tissues and organs and stop them from working properly.
There are over 100 different types of cancer. Each type starts in a different part of the body and affects a different tissue or system. But all cancers start in cells, which are the basic building blocks of our bodies.
The normal process of cell growth makes more cells when the body needs them and kills old or abnormal cells. Cancer begins when this process goes wrong and new cancer cells form when the body doesn’t need them and they don’t die when they should. These abnormal cells can crowd out and destroy healthy cells and cause a build up of new, abnormal tissue. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph.
Scientists are finding out more about how and why cancers develop and how they spread. For example, they have found that some cancers make a substance that stimulates other cancer cells to move. This may help them spread to other parts of the body. Scientists are trying to find ways to stop cancers from making this substance and to block it from spreading.
Usually, cancers start because of gene changes that occur over a person’s lifetime. Sometimes cancers start because of inherited mutations that are passed down in the family. But some people get cancers for no apparent reason.
Most cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed early and treated quickly. Treatment can shrink tumors, ease symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life.
People with cancer often notice the first signs of their disease in a lump or bump in the skin, a cough or a sore throat. Depending on the type of cancer, it can also start in other parts of the body, such as in the bones or inside the lungs.
Cancer can be very difficult to treat. Some cancers come back even after treatment, and many patients can have a serious or life-threatening illness that affects their daily activities.
Research shows that a healthy diet, moderate physical activity and avoiding tobacco can reduce your risk of getting cancer. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins and limiting alcohol, processed meats and saturated fats can significantly lower your cancer risk.
If you have a family history of cancer, talk to your doctor about genetic testing and counseling. If you have a genetic mutation that puts you at higher risk of getting some types of cancer, such as BRCA1/2, ATM, TP53 and PALB2, early detection and treatment can greatly increase your chances of having a better outcome. The Fred Hutch Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Service can help you determine whether genetic screening is right for you.
Cancer is a disease that causes cells in the body to grow and divide out of control. It can happen anywhere in the body. Cancer can damage the body’s tissues and organs and stop them from working properly. There are over 100 different types of cancer. Each type starts in a different part of the body and affects a different tissue or system. But all cancers start in cells, which are the basic building blocks of our bodies. The normal process of cell growth makes more cells when the body needs them and kills old or abnormal cells. Cancer begins when this process goes wrong and new cancer cells form when the body doesn’t need them and they don’t die when they should. These abnormal cells can crowd out and destroy healthy cells and cause a build up of new, abnormal tissue. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph. Scientists are finding out more about how and why cancers develop and how they spread. For example, they have found that some cancers make a substance that stimulates other cancer cells to move. This may help them spread to other parts of the body. Scientists are trying to find ways to stop cancers from making this substance and to block it from spreading. Usually, cancers start because of gene changes that occur over a person’s lifetime. Sometimes cancers start because of inherited mutations that are passed down in the family. But some people get cancers for no apparent reason. Most cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed early and treated quickly. Treatment can shrink tumors, ease symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. People with cancer often notice the first signs of their disease in a lump or bump in the skin, a cough or a sore throat. Depending on the type of cancer, it can also start in other parts of the body, such as in the bones or inside the lungs. Cancer can be very difficult to treat. Some cancers come back even after treatment, and many patients can have a serious or life-threatening illness that affects their daily activities. Research shows that a healthy diet, moderate physical activity and avoiding tobacco can reduce your risk of getting cancer. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins and limiting alcohol, processed meats and saturated fats can significantly lower your cancer risk. If you have a family history of cancer, talk to your doctor about genetic testing and counseling. If you have a genetic mutation that puts you at higher risk of getting some types of cancer, such as BRCA1/2, ATM, TP53 and PALB2, early detection and treatment can greatly increase your chances of having a better outcome. The Fred Hutch Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Service can help you determine whether genetic screening is right for you.