Cancer – What You Need to Know
Cancer is a disease that starts in cells and causes them to grow out of control and invade surrounding tissues. It is the result of many different changes in DNA that can occur by chance during normal cell division or because of exposure to toxins like tobacco smoke. Cancer may also be caused by mutations that are inherited from parents.
Cancer cells acquire genetic changes that give them a growth advantage over other cancer cells or normal cells. These genetic changes are called driver mutations. The resulting cancer cells reproduce and spread, leading to the formation of a tumor that forms new cancer cells that continue to grow and evolve. Cancer cells may also develop resistance to therapy.
Some cancer cells can cause symptoms such as pain or a lump in the skin. Some cancers can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body, causing other signs and symptoms, such as tiredness or weakness.
Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other medications. Your healthcare team will decide what treatment is best for you.
Chemotherapy is a group of drugs that kill cancer cells. It can be taken by mouth or given into a vein (IV). Cancer cells grow and divide faster than normal cells. By killing cancer cells, chemotherapy can stop them from growing and spreading. Cancer cells can also die from other types of treatments, such as radiation or surgery.
Radiation therapy uses x-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered from outside the body, in a machine that directs the radiation to the area with a tumor, or it can be directed at a specific part of the body, such as a lump.
A doctor who specializes in treating cancer is called a medical oncologist. They can help you manage side effects of treatment and find other ways to cope with your cancer, such as by joining a support group.
Exercise is good for your health and can help prevent some types of cancer, especially lung and colon cancer. It’s important to get at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.
A healthy diet can reduce your risk of some cancers. For example, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can lower your risk for colon cancer. Avoiding red meat and limiting alcohol can help prevent some cancers.
Getting enough sleep can help prevent some cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight. Too much belly fat increases the risk of certain cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about a healthy weight for you.
Cancer is a disease that starts in cells and causes them to grow out of control and invade surrounding tissues. It is the result of many different changes in DNA that can occur by chance during normal cell division or because of exposure to toxins like tobacco smoke. Cancer may also be caused by mutations that are inherited from parents. Cancer cells acquire genetic changes that give them a growth advantage over other cancer cells or normal cells. These genetic changes are called driver mutations. The resulting cancer cells reproduce and spread, leading to the formation of a tumor that forms new cancer cells that continue to grow and evolve. Cancer cells may also develop resistance to therapy. Some cancer cells can cause symptoms such as pain or a lump in the skin. Some cancers can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body, causing other signs and symptoms, such as tiredness or weakness. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other medications. Your healthcare team will decide what treatment is best for you. Chemotherapy is a group of drugs that kill cancer cells. It can be taken by mouth or given into a vein (IV). Cancer cells grow and divide faster than normal cells. By killing cancer cells, chemotherapy can stop them from growing and spreading. Cancer cells can also die from other types of treatments, such as radiation or surgery. Radiation therapy uses x-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered from outside the body, in a machine that directs the radiation to the area with a tumor, or it can be directed at a specific part of the body, such as a lump. A doctor who specializes in treating cancer is called a medical oncologist. They can help you manage side effects of treatment and find other ways to cope with your cancer, such as by joining a support group. Exercise is good for your health and can help prevent some types of cancer, especially lung and colon cancer. It’s important to get at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. A healthy diet can reduce your risk of some cancers. For example, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can lower your risk for colon cancer. Avoiding red meat and limiting alcohol can help prevent some cancers. Getting enough sleep can help prevent some cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight. Too much belly fat increases the risk of certain cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about a healthy weight for you.