What is cancer?
If you feel silly asking this question, don’t! We hear the word cancer all the time but the explanation not so much.
There are many different explanations but simply put cancer is when cells in certain parts of the body or organs start to divide and reproduce in an uncontrolled way. Under normal conditions, cells grow, divide, become old, and die. Then, in most cases, they’re replaced by new cells. But if they grow or multiply too much, instead of dying, this can cause a tumour. The cancerous cells can sometimes destroy the surrounding healthy tissue and organs and can may spread further throughout your body.
We’ve answered some more of the most commonly asked questions below and highlighted a bit more information on the most common types of cancer.
Remember that if you think you’re experiencing any symptoms, please call your GP to arrange an appointment. Early detection is the best prevention.
How can I reduce my risk of cancer?
The most general piece of advice to reduce your risk of any cancer diagnosis is to live a healthy lifestyle. This can sound overwhelming but just a few small changes to your lifestyle could make a big difference; eat healthily, take regular exercise and don’t smoke. These are the top three suggestions from NHS in reducing your overall risk.
How many people are diagnosed with cancer?
According to Macmillan, on average someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds.
1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Therefore, we think it’s crucial that you’re aware of the risks and symptoms of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and visit a doctor if you’re ever in doubt about a symptom.
How many types of cancer are there?
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. The four most common types are; breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer.
Is cancer genetic?
Cancer is not usually inherited, but some types – mainly breast, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancer – can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families.
We all carry certain genes that are normally protective against cancer. These genes correct any DNA damage that naturally happens when cells divide.
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