CANCER

Cancer is the name given to a wide range of medical conditions linked to a single cause. Most cells in the body are “programmed” to divide a limited number of times before their cell division is switched off. In the majority of cancers, something goes wrong which interferes with this process, and the cells continue to divide. The increased numbers of cells result in a lump or tumour, which may interfere with organs in the body. Additionally, the cells which divide constantly are frequently immature and unable to carry out their normal functions. A mass of cancerous cells is known as a carcinoma

Cancers are generally named after the part of the body or cells which they affect.

eg. Leukaemia - leukocytes or white blood cells

Mesothelioma - mesothelium or lining cells

Melanoma - melanocytes in the skin

Cancers can be caused by a number of factors (chemicals, radiation, etc). Any agent which causes cancer is called a carcinogen. Carcinogens increase the chance of a dangerous mistake occurring in the DNA. Cancers may also result from natural mistakes in the cell’s DNA and so a tendency to develop cancer may be passed on genetically

TREATING CANCER

Cells which are dividing are more prone to damage from radiation or certain chemicals. Therefore, carefully regulated doses of radiation (radiotherapy) or certain drugs (chemotherapy) may kill off cancerous cells while leaving healthy ones untouched.

Cancers may have the ability to spread to other parts of the body and start new cancers there. Such cancers are known as malignant. A cancer which odes not spread (or is unlikely to) is called benign. To reduce the risk of spread (metastasis) happening, cancers are often surgically removed. The earlier the cancer is removed, the less chance it has spread.

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