Diff: Cancer

'''Cancer''' is a broad group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Cancer can start in almost any tissue, may invade nearby tissue, and may spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.

'''Cancer''' is a broad group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Cancer can start in almost any tissue, may invade nearby tissue, and may spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.

== Overview ==

== Overview ==

Cancer care usually depends on the type of cancer, where it started, whether it has spread, the person's general health, and the aim of treatment. Some cancers can be treated with curative intent, especially when found early. Others are managed as long-term or advanced conditions, with treatment focused on control, symptom relief, and quality of life.

Cancer care usually depends on the type of cancer, where it started, whether it has spread, the person's general health, and the aim of treatment. Some cancers can be treated with curative intent, especially when found early. Others are managed as long-term or advanced conditions, with treatment focused on control, symptom relief, and quality of life.

== Causes and Risk Factors ==

== Causes and Risk Factors ==

Cancer can develop for many reasons, and in some cases there is no single clear cause. Risk factors can include:

Cancer can develop for many reasons, and in some cases there is no single clear cause. Risk factors can include:

* Age, as cancer risk generally rises with age.

* Age, as cancer risk generally rises with age.

* Inherited genetic risk or a strong family history of certain cancers.

* Inherited genetic risk or a strong family history of certain cancers.

* Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.

* Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.

* Alcohol use.

* Alcohol use.

* Being overweight or obese.

* Being overweight or obese.

* Too much ultraviolet exposure from sunlight or tanning devices.

* Too much ultraviolet exposure from sunlight or tanning devices.

* Some infections, including human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

* Some infections, including human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

* Workplace or environmental exposures such as asbestos, air pollution, and ionising radiation.

* Workplace or environmental exposures such as asbestos, air pollution, and ionising radiation.

* Some long-term inflammatory or inherited conditions.

* Some long-term inflammatory or inherited conditions.

== Common Types ==

== Common Types ==

Cancer may be grouped by the tissue or organ where it begins. Common examples include:

Cancer may be grouped by the tissue or organ where it begins. Common examples include:

* '''Breast cancer''', which starts in breast tissue and can affect women and men.

* '''Breast cancer''', which starts in breast tissue and can affect women and men.

* '''Lung cancer''', which starts in the lungs and is strongly linked to smoking, though it also occurs in non-smokers.

* '''Lung cancer''', which starts in the lungs and is strongly linked to smoking, though it also occurs in non-smokers.

* '''Bowel cancer''', including cancers of the colon and rectum.

* '''Bowel cancer''', including cancers of the colon and rectum.

* '''Prostate cancer''', which starts in the prostate gland.

* '''Prostate cancer''', which starts in the prostate gland.

* '''Leukaemia''', a cancer of blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow.

* '''Leukaemia''', a cancer of blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow.

* '''Lymphoma''', which affects lymphocytes and the lymphatic system.

* '''Lymphoma''', which affects lymphocytes and the lymphatic system.

* '''Skin cancers''', including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

* '''Skin cancers''', including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

These examples do not cover all cancer types. Each type has its own pattern of risk, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

These examples do not cover all cancer types. Each type has its own pattern of risk, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

== Symptoms ==

== Symptoms ==

Symptoms depend on the cancer type and where it is in the body. Possible warning signs can include:

Symptoms depend on the cancer type and where it is in the body. Possible warning signs can include:

* A lump, swelling, or unusual thickening.

* A lump, swelling, or unusual thickening.

* Unexplained weight loss.

* Unexplained weight loss.

* Ongoing tiredness that is not explained by normal activity.

* Ongoing tiredness that is not explained by normal activity.

* Unusual bleeding.

* Unusual bleeding.

* A persistent cough, breathlessness, or coughing blood.

* A persistent cough, breathlessness, or coughing blood.

* Changes in bowel or bladder habits.

* Changes in bowel or bladder habits.

* A mole or skin change that is new, changing, bleeding, or not healing.

* A mole or skin change that is new, changing, bleeding, or not healing.

* Persistent pain or discomfort without a clear cause.

* Persistent pain or discomfort without a clear cause.

== Diagnosis ==

== Diagnosis ==

Cancer diagnosis can involve several steps. A clinician may take a medical history, examine the person, and arrange tests. These may include blood tests, imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or PET scans, endoscopy, or biopsy.

Cancer diagnosis can involve several steps. A clinician may take a medical history, examine the person, and arrange tests. These may include blood tests, imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or PET scans, endoscopy, or biopsy.

A biopsy, where a sample of tissue is examined, is often important for confirming the type of cancer. After diagnosis, staging is used to describe the size of the cancer and whether it has spread. Grading may describe how abnormal the cells look under a microscope.

A biopsy, where a sample of tissue is examined, is often important for confirming the type of cancer. After diagnosis, staging is used to describe the size of the cancer and whether it has spread. Grading may describe how abnormal the cells look under a microscope.

== Treatment ==

== Treatment ==

Treatment depends on the cancer type and stage. Common treatments include:

Treatment depends on the cancer type and stage. Common treatments include:

* '''Surgery''', used to remove a tumour or affected tissue.

* '''Surgery''', used to remove a tumour or affected tissue.

* '''Radiotherapy''', which uses radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells.

* '''Radiotherapy''', which uses radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells.

* '''Chemotherapy''', which uses medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them dividing.

* '''Chemotherapy''', which uses medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them dividing.

* '''Immunotherapy''', which helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer.

* '''Immunotherapy''', which helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer.

* '''Targeted therapy''', which acts on specific features of cancer cells.

* '''Targeted therapy''', which acts on specific features of cancer cells.

* '''Hormone therapy''', used for some hormone-sensitive cancers.

* '''Hormone therapy''', used for some hormone-sensitive cancers.

* '''Stem cell or bone marrow transplant''', used for some blood cancers and related conditions.

* '''Stem cell or bone marrow transplant''', used for some blood cancers and related conditions.

Cancer treatment is often planned by a multidisciplinary team. A person may receive one treatment or a combination of treatments. Supportive and palliative care may be given alongside active cancer treatment to manage symptoms, side effects, emotional needs, and quality of life.

Cancer treatment is often planned by a multidisciplinary team. A person may receive one treatment or a combination of treatments. Supportive and palliative care may be given alongside active cancer treatment to manage symptoms, side effects, emotional needs, and quality of life.

== Prevention and Screening ==

== Prevention and Screening ==

Not all cancer can be prevented. Measures that can reduce the risk of some cancers include not smoking, keeping alcohol within recommended limits, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, using sun protection, taking part in vaccination programmes such as HPV or hepatitis B where offered, and attending cancer screening when invited.

Not all cancer can be prevented. Measures that can reduce the risk of some cancers include not smoking, keeping alcohol within recommended limits, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, using sun protection, taking part in vaccination programmes such as HPV or hepatitis B where offered, and attending cancer screening when invited.

== References ==

== References ==

* [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/ NHS: Cancer]

* [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/ NHS: Cancer]

[[Category:Health]]

[[Category:Health]]

[[Category:Medicine]]

[[Category:Medicine]]