2. Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders. It is when the
body has no control over cells that begin to split. In
cancer, body cells copy their contents. They then make
new cells with these copies. These cells are able to go into
other tissues. They go into other tissues by growing into
them. They can also go into other tissues by putting
themselves into far away places by metastasis. Metastasis
is the stage in which cancer cells move through the
bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer can affect
anybody at any age. People are more likely to get it as
they get older. This is because DNA damage becomes
more apparent in older DNA. An exception is testicular
cancer. It is more common in young men. Cancer is one of
the biggest and most researched causes of death in
developed countries.
3. Cancer is a leading cause of death. It causes about
12.5% of all deaths worldwide. This is according to the
World Health Organization. There are some things
that can be causes or triggers of different types of
cancer. They include tobacco (smoked or
smokeless), marijuana, lots of sunlight, radiation
(including X-rays in large or many doses and
exposure to radiation in a nuclear power plant),
chemicals used in building and manufacturing (for
example, asbestos and benzene), high-fat or low-
fiber diets, air and water pollution, people who eat
very little fruits and vegetables, obesity, not enough
physical activity, drinking too much alcohol, and
household use of some chemicals. Some cancers
can also be caused by viruses.
4. There are lots of different kinds of cancers.
Some of the most common include breast
cancer, brain cancer, leukemia, testicular
cancer, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Breast cancer begins in the breast. It can be
found in anybody at anytime. It can also be
found in men. Brain cancer starts in the
brain (cancer of the brain is called a brain
tumour). Testicular cancer starts in the
testicles. It is most common in young men.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer start in the
lungs.
5. There is no cure for cancer. Cancer can sometimes be treated
using radiotherapy (also called radiation therapy),
chemotherapy, or immunotherapy (also called biological
therapy).
One hard problem in treating cancer is that most things that kill
cancer also kill normal cells. Cancerous cells are often quite
weak. Since the cancer is actually a part of the body, the body
will not attack it, even though the cancer often could easily kill
the body. Another hard problem in treating cancer is that there
are many different types of cancer. Each have their own
symptoms and causes. Some people can handle cancer better
than others. However, it is harmful to everybody. It can be fatal.
There is always progress in finding treatment. Many cancers are
treated successfully. For example, a study showed that if
someone with lymphedema (a swelling of the arm linked to
breast cancer) lifts weights, they be able to fight cancer better
than somebody who doesn't.
6. There is no cure for cancer. Cancer can sometimes be treated
using radiotherapy (also called radiation therapy),
chemotherapy, or immunotherapy (also called biological
therapy).
One hard problem in treating cancer is that most things that kill
cancer also kill normal cells. Cancerous cells are often quite
weak. Since the cancer is actually a part of the body, the body
will not attack it, even though the cancer often could easily kill
the body. Another hard problem in treating cancer is that there
are many different types of cancer. Each have their own
symptoms and causes. Some people can handle cancer better
than others. However, it is harmful to everybody. It can be fatal.
There is always progress in finding treatment. Many cancers are
treated successfully. For example, a study showed that if
someone with lymphedema (a swelling of the arm linked to
breast cancer) lifts weights, they be able to fight cancer better
than somebody who doesn't.