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Guide To Cancer Information |
Guide To Cancer Information |
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What is Cancer? Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body’s basic building blocks. Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that normally control the growth and death of cells. During the process of cell division one cell may acquire some genetic mutation that would alter the cell division control mechanisms of that cell. This altered cell no longer listens to the control signals for cell division and may continue to divide and multiply. This uncontrolled cell division and growth ultimately results in cancer. Normal cells stop growing once they come in contact with another cell. This is called contact inhibition. Cancer cells tend to lose contact inhibition and they may grow on top of each other, or erode in to the surrounding tissues. Cells that have lost growth control usually stay or clump together to form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. A tumor can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Benign tumors are not cancer: Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening. Generally, benign tumors can be removed and they do not usually grow back. Benign tumors usually stay in one place in the body and do not erode in to the surrounding structures. Malignant tumors are cancer: Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening. Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back. Cells from malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cells from malignant tumors can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. |
Who Can Get Cancer? Cancer is a common disease, about one out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer during the course of their life. Cancer is more common in the elderly and 77 percent of cancers occur in people above age 55 or older. Cancer is also common in children. Cancer incidence is said to have two peaks once during early childhood and then during late years in life. No age period is completely exempted from development of cancers. Some cancers occur predominantly in the elderly, other types occur in children. Cancer occurs in all ethnic races, however the cancer rates and rates of specific cancer types may vary from group to group. Late stages of cancer may be incurable in most cases, but with the advancement of medicine, more and more cancers are becoming curable. Cancer may be curable if detected early in the course of the disease. Millions of people are living today with cancer or as cancer survivors. Early detection of cancer is very important because the generally earlier the cancer is detected higher the chance for cure. |
Common types of cancer: |
Breast Cancer - Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues
of the breast. Breast cancer can occur in both women and men. More info on breast cancer>> |
Colon Cancer - Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues
of the colon. More info on colon cancer>> |
Lung Cancer - Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages.
More lung cancer information>> |
Lymphoma - Lymph vessels lead to lymph nodes, which are small, round organs that trap cancer
cells, bacteria, or other harmful substances that may be in the lymph. More info on lymphoma>> |
Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin cells called melanocytes
(cells that color the skin). More melanoma info>> |
Mesothelioma - Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in
the lining of the chest or abdomen. More mesothelioma info>> |
Prostate Cancer - Cancer of the prostate is the most common malignancy in American men. More prostate cancer info>> |