Cancer occurs when cells within the human body develop abnormalities and begin
to multiply at abnormally fast rates. The result is the growth of tumors in or
on the surface of the body and organs. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous) or
malignant (cancerous). Because normal cell development and duplication is a
slow process which is well-controlled, it is identical when cells duplicate so
rapidly.
Malignant tumors require immediate containment and treatment, as malignant
growths may expand rapidly and metastasize (spread through the body) at an
alarming rate. Metastasis are secondary tumors which can appear at any location
through the body, which are a direct effect of cancer spreading via blood and
lymph nodes.
Cancer is purely a term used to describe a large variety of diseases,
impacting very different parts of the body in very different ways. There are
two large categories into which all cancer types can be separated:
hematological, which are blood borne cancers and solid tumors, which are the
growths described above. Each type of cancer has a unique name, most of the
time coming from the area of the body which is primarily affected. For example,
soft tissue cancers are cancerous growths which occur within the deep muscle or
connecting tissues through the body. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer,
which affects cells containing skin pigments.
As the leading cause of death in the United States, cancer receives a huge
amount of attention from researchers and research hospitals dedicated to
determining the cause and searching for cures. Almost one half of men
and one third of women will develop some type of cancer during their lifetime.
Optimism is key, however, as millions of people are now living cancer free
thanks to the efforts of researchers and the contributions of people across the
world.
Everyone is at risk for developing cancer; however lifestyle changes such as
quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake could increase a person's chance of
not developing some cancers. Also, healthy living and diet choices can also
Ensure that a person should get cancer that they are more able to fight it. It is
Also important to see your physician for exams on a regular basis in order to
Ensure that proper testing can be done if a problem is suspected.
Some cancers are
gender specific, even even breast cancer can be found in 1% of men in the
United States. Women are susceptible to ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancer
while men only can contract penile and prostate cancer.