What is Cancer and Causes of Cancer


by peterhutch - Date: 2008-06-28 - Word Count: 489 Share This!

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display the traits of uncontrolled growth (growth and division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not.

Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), the new tumor bears the same name as the original (primary) tumor.

Causes of Cancer

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too rapidly. It can also occur when cells "forget" how to die.

Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. People can help protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible.

Breast cancer risk factors include several factors: age; changes in hormone levels throughout life, such as age at first menstruation, number of pregnancies, and age at menopause; obesity; and physical activity. Some studies have also shown a connection between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. Also, women with a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves.

Cancer Symptoms Introduction

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important that you limit your risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening.

Mixed red and white patches (erythroleukoplakia) are more likely than white patches to become malignant.

Red patches (erythroplakia) are brightly colored, smooth areas that often become malignant.

A sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal Scarlike patch of skin, especially on the face, that is firm to the touch.Bump that itches, bleeds, crusts over, and then repeats the cycle and has not healed in 3 weeks.

Cancer - Treatment

The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of its being cured. Some types of cancer -- such as those of the skin, breast, mouth, testicles, prostate, and rectum -- may be detected by routine self-examination or other screening measures before the symptoms become serious. Most cases of cancer are detected and diagnosed after a tumor can be felt or when other symptoms develop.

Surgery

For many centuries, surgery was the only treatment for cancer. The famous 18th century surgeon, John Hunter, suggested that surgery might cure cancer if the tumour had not invaded the surrounding tissue. He remarked that "if the tumour is moveable... there is no impropriety in removing it".


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