What is Cancer?

What is Cancer?	Signs and Symptoms of Cancer	How is Cancer Treated?
Can Cancer be Prevented?	Types of Cancer

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and keep dividing and forming more cells without control or order. All organs of the body are made up of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. If cells divide when new ones are not needed, they form a mass of excess tissue, called a tumor. Tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). The cells in malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissue and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Cancer?

Cancer often causes symptoms that you can watch for. The most common warning signs of cancer are:

• Change in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• Obvious change in a wart or mole
• Nagging cough or hoarseness

These symptoms are not always warning signs of cancer. They can also be caused by less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Don't wait to feel pain: early cancer usually does not cause pain.

How Is Cancer Treated?

Cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy. The doctor may use one method or a combination of methods. The choice of treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease spread of the patient's age and general health and other factors.

Can Cancer Be Prevented?

Many cases of cancer can be prevented by not using tobacco products, avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, and choosing foods with less fat and more fiber. In addition, regular checkups and self-examination can reveal cancer at an early stage, when treatment is likely to be effective.

Cancer can affect any organ or any tissue in body.

Types of Cancer