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What is Cancer?

When the body's cells become abnormal and speed of duplication is out of control a tumor is formed, these may be cancerous (spreading) or benign (non-cancerous). Normal body cells divide in a controlled and relatively slow rate, in malignant cells the duplication is uncontrolled and often at a very rapid rate. If the tumor (also referred to as a growth or neoplasm) is malignant (spreading) the disease may develop in other parts of the body where secondary tumors may form (known as metastasis).

Cancer is not a single disease but a wide range of different diseases of which there well over a hundred types.
Cancers can be classified into 2 broad types: hematological (malignancies of the blood) or solid tumors.
The name of the cancer depends on the type of tissue and/or site it develops in. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

What causes cancer?

The cause of most cancers remains unknown.
A minority of cancers are known to be hereditary (inherited). For example some breast cancers, retinoblastomas, and Wilms' tumors are thought to be hereditary.
In rare cases the family may have a history of cancers (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). However most cancers have no obvious hereditary cause. Carcinogens are chemicals or environmental factors that may cause normal cells to become abnormal and cancerous by damage or mutate a cells genetic material (DNA and RNA).

For example smoking is known to increase a person’s risk of lung cancer, likewise over-exposure to ultraviolet sun light increases the risk of melanoma, and inhalation of asbestos dust can cause mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs). Some viruses are known to be carcinogens, for example the HTLV-1 virus is associated with leukemia. Radiation exposure has also been linked with cancer incidence. Other factors such as diet and exercise may influence cancer incidence. MORE...