While the cause of cancer is still unclear, cancer is a condition where abnormal cells survive and replicate. Normally, the cells in our bodies should be replaced by healthy cells, but cancer occurs when the body is not able to eliminate these damaged cells. As a result, cancer cells can form tumors and circulate throughout our body, affecting many other organs. The main cause of cancer is genetic damage to cells. This damage can be caused by several factors, including radiation, chemicals, hormones, age, and diet.
While it is not completely understood why some people get cancer, doctors know that it is not contagious. The disease is not caused by germs, so people who are affected by it cannot transmit it to others. This is an advantage of early detection, because cancer can spread to other parts of the body, causing severe symptoms. The symptoms of cancer can include a sudden, sharp pain in the affected area, difficulty walking, seizures, and an inability to function properly.
The exact number of mutations required to cause cancer will depend on the type of cancer. Some cancers may begin in one area and spread through the lymph nodes, which are clusters of immune cells throughout the body. Cancer is not exclusively a disease of the elderly; however, certain lifestyle choices can increase your risk. Tobacco use, excess sun exposure, obesity, and unsafe sex can all increase the risk. If you have any of these, it is important to quit smoking.
Surgery is one of the oldest cancer treatments. About three out of every five people with cancer will undergo this type of treatment. The aim of surgery is to remove the cancer, but healthy cells may also be removed. Sometimes, a person with cancer doesn’t experience any symptoms until they begin treatment. This is one of the reasons why cancer is so elusive. If left untreated, it can kill healthy cells in the body and spread throughout the body. But cancer can strike anyone at any age, and treatment will be tailored to the individual patient’s condition.
Once cancerous cells reach the lymphatic system, they can spread to other parts of the body. They can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. They can invade distant organs or the brain. The disease is still called after the location where it started. For example, breast cancer spread to the lungs is called metastatic breast cancer. However, it may spread to other organs as well. The new tumor may also have other characteristics of a tumor.
The stage of cancer is determined by tests. The lower the stage, the lower the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. The higher the stage, the more the cancer has spread. Stage 4 is the most advanced cancer stage. Cancer is a difficult disease to treat, but treatment options can be effective. If you have cancer, you need to know how to get it diagnosed and treated. The goal is to get rid of the cancer while leaving the healthy cells intact.