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Cancer Fast Facts
By peace | December 24, 2006
Cancer is a disease that starts in our cells. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, grouped together to form tissues or organs such as muscles and bones, the lungs, or the liver. Genes inside each cell order it to grow, work, reproduce and die.
Normally, our cells obey these orders and we remain healthy. Sometimes a cell’s instructions get mixed up and it behaves abnormally. After a while, groups of abnormal cells can form lumps or tumours, or can spread to through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumour cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually life-threatening.
Malignant tumour cells are able to invade the tissues around them and spread to other parts of the body. Cancerous cells that spread to other parts of the body are called metastases. The first sign that a malignant tumour has spread is often swelling of nearby lymph nodes, but cancer can metastasize to almost any part of the body. It is important to find malignant tumours early and treat them.
Cancers are named after the part of the body where they start. For example, cancer that starts in the colon but spreads to the liver is called colon cancer with liver metastases.
The survival rate for many types of cancer has improved in recent years; however, cancer is still the second leading cause of death in the United States.
Cancer occurs when cells continue to grow and divide and do not die when they should. Cancer cells can damage or destroy nearby tissues and can metastasize (spread) to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Cancer is the result of changes in the genes that control normal cell growth and death. These changes may be inherited, or may result from environmental or lifestyle factors.
People can reduce their risk of cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Also, screening exams can detect some precancerous conditions and early-stage cancer.
Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms.
Cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormones, and/or biological therapy.
Clinical trials (research studies with people) are an option for people interested in prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
About 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2005, and more than 550,000 people will die of the disease.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. However, improvements in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer. About 64 percent of all people diagnosed with cancer will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
A prognosis gives an idea of the likely course and outcome of a disease.
Many factors affect a person’s prognosis, including the type, location, and stage of the disease, as well as the person’s age, general health, and response to treatment.
Survival rates indicate the percentage of people with a certain type and stage of cancer who survive the disease for a specific period of time after their diagnosis. Survival rates are based on large groups of people.
Doctors cannot be absolutely certain about the outcome for a particular patient. In fact, a person’s prognosis may change over time.
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