A definition of cancer is when abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Most cancers are named for the type of cell in which they start or for the organ that is affected.
The body is made up of many types of cells. These cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. However, sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them.
The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor. It is important to note the infrastructure of most living organisms. Start with a cell, a group of cells will form tissue, tissues will form organs and organs work together as a system dedicated to specific body functions. That is why sometimes the cancer is not detected until a body function becomes disrupted.
The risk of developing many types of cancer can be reduced by practicing healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and not smoking. Also, the sooner a cancer is found and treatment begins, the better the chances are that the treatment will be successful. There are many screening tools available for different cancers, talk to your health care provider about your risk factors.
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