Cancer is
the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body
. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells.
What is cancer exactly?
Cancer refers to any one of a
large number of diseases
characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world.
What is cancer in summary?
A cancer is
an abnormal growth of cells
(usually derived from a single abnormal cell). The cells have lost normal control mechanisms and thus are able to multiply continuously, invade nearby tissues, migrate to distant parts of the body, and promote the growth of new blood vessels from which the cells derive nutrients.
What is cancer full form?
Cancers are usually named using -carcinoma, -sarcoma or -blastoma as a suffix, with the Latin or Greek word for the organ or tissue of origin as the root.
Why is cancer called cancer?
Origin of the word cancer
In Greek, these words refer to a crab, most likely applied to the disease
because the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer called to mind the shape of a crab
. The Roman physician, Celsus (28-50 BC), later translated the Greek term into cancer, the Latin word for crab.
What are the top 10 causes of cancer?
- Cancer syndromes.
- Smoking.
- Materials.
- Alcohol.
- Diet.
- Obesity.
- Viruses.
- Bacteria and parasites.
Do we all have cancer cells?
No, we don’t all have cancer cells in our bodies
. Our bodies are constantly producing new cells, some of which have the potential to become cancerous. At any given moment, we may be producing cells that have damaged DNA, but that doesn’t mean they’re destined to become cancer.
How does cancer start?
Cancer
develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working
. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors.
What are five causes of cancer?
The most common risk factors for cancer include
aging, tobacco, sun exposure, radiation exposure, chemicals, and other substances
, some viruses and bacteria, certain hormones, family history of cancer, alcohol, poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight.
Can you feel cancer growing?
Typically, cancer signs and symptoms first appear when the cancerous tumor or mass has grown large enough that it begins to push against nearby organs and tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. This can lead to
pain
, a change in how the nearby organs function, or both.
What are 7 warning signs of cancer?
- Change in bowel or bladder habits.
- A sore that does not heal.
- Unusual bleeding or discharge.
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
- Obvious change in a wart or mole.
- Nagging cough or hoarseness.
What are the 4 types of cancer?
- Carcinomas. A carcinoma begins in the skin or the tissue that covers the surface of internal organs and glands. …
- Sarcomas. A sarcoma begins in the tissues that support and connect the body. …
- Leukemias. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. …
- Lymphomas.
What is other name of cancer?
Malignancy
is another word for cancer. Metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis): the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. The plural is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-sees).
Can cancer ever be cured?
There are no cures for any kinds of cancer
, but there are treatments that may cure you. Many people are treated for cancer, live out the rest of their life, and die of other causes. Many others are treated for cancer and still die from it, although treatment may give them more time: even years or decades.
Is cancer a disease or virus?
Cancer is
a disease caused
when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes. These changes are also called genetic changes.
Who was the first person to get cancer?
The first cause of cancer was identified by
British surgeon Percivall Pott
, who discovered in 1775 that cancer of the scrotum was a common disease among chimney sweeps. The work of other individual physicians led to various insights, but when physicians started working together they could draw firmer conclusions.
