Cancer Basics: A Simple Overview

Cancer is a group of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread, while malignant tumors can.

---

🔬 What Causes Cancer?

• DNA in cells is damaged, causing mutations.
• These mutations affect genes that control how cells grow and divide.
• Damaged cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors.

Common risk factors include:

• Smoking and tobacco
• Excessive alcohol
• Radiation exposure (UV or medical)
• Poor diet and physical inactivity
• Viruses (e.g., HPV, Hepatitis B/C)
• Family history (genetics)

---

🧬 Types of Cancer

Cancer can occur anywhere in the body. Major types include:

• Carcinoma – in skin or tissues that line organs (e.g., lung, breast)
• Sarcoma – in bone, muscle, or connective tissue
• Leukemia – in blood or bone marrow
• Lymphoma and Myeloma – in the immune system
• Central nervous system cancers – in the brain and spinal cord

---

🩺 Common Symptoms

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Pain that doesn't go away
• Skin changes (e.g., new mole, jaundice)
• Persistent cough or hoarseness
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Lumps or swelling

Note: These can also be signs of other conditions — always consult a doctor.

---

🧪 How is Cancer Detected?

• Physical exam and history
• Blood tests (e.g., tumor markers)
• Imaging scans (e.g., CT, MRI, X-ray)
• Biopsy – removing and testing tissue
• Genetic testing (in some cases)

---

💊 Cancer Treatment Options

Depends on type, location, and stage:

• Surgery – to remove the tumor
• Radiation therapy – to kill or shrink cancer cells
• Chemotherapy – using drugs to destroy cancer cells
• Immunotherapy – boosts the immune system to fight cancer
• Targeted therapy – targets specific genetic mutations
• Hormone therapy – for hormone-related cancers like breast/prostate
• Bone marrow transplant – for blood cancers

---

🛡 Prevention & Early Detection

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet
• Exercise regularly
• Get vaccinated (e.g., HPV, Hepatitis B)
• Limit alcohol intake
• Protect your skin from UV rays
• Regular screenings (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests)

---

🧠 Key Takeaway