Cancer is probably the most feared illness in the UK today. It may be possible to dispel at least some of that fear by understanding more about cancer.
Cancer occurs when the normal process of cell renewal in the tissues of the body goes wrong. Usually cells renew themselves, in whichever part of the body they occur, by dividing into two, then four and so on. Cells which have reached the end of their useful lives are eliminated from the body along with other bodily waste.
If this process of division gets out of control and the cells divide at a much faster rate than required, a lump is formed. This is called a tumour. A tumour may be benign, (not cancerous) or malignant. A malignant tumour is capable of invading surrounding tissues and spreading to other parts of the body. Cancers are malignant tumours. When they spread they may form new tumours, called secondary tumours. This is a process called metastasis and the new tumours are also known as metastases.
Different types of cancer are formed from different types of cells.
Types of Cancer
There are four main types of cancer:
Carcinoma - This is the most common type of cancer, accounting for 85% of all cancers. It occurs in the lining of body organs and body surfaces. Breast, lung, stomach and colon cancers are all examples of carcinoma.
Carcinomas are further divided, according to the cells from which they come. They are called squamous cell carcinomas, adenomatous cell carcinomas, transitional cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas.
Lymphoma & Leukaemia - These are cancers of the lymphatic system and the bone marrow, which manufactures new blood cells. They are not common cancers, forming about 6% of all cancers in the UK.
Sarcoma This is a cancer occurring in the connecting and supporting tissues of the body, including fat, bone, muscle, nerves and cartilage. Sarcomas are even less common cancers, accounting for approximately 1% of all cancers in the UK.
Sarcomas are further divided into three main categories. These are primary bone sarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas and gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (known as GIST).
The fourth type of cancer is very rare, constitutes the last 4% of cancers and includes brain tumours.
Cancer is not infectious so cannot be passed from one person to another. It is not a single disease and there are about 200 different forms of cancer.
So what causes Cancer?
Cancer occurs when the DNA of a cell is damaged. This damage may be the result of the combination of several risk factors:
- Carcinogens - these include tobacco smoke, radiation (from natural radiation, medical emissions, nuclear power and weapons), vehicle exhaust, asbestos and other chemicals
- Exposure of bare skin to the sun
- Age - the older you are, the more likely you are to develop cancer as most cancers are found in those over 65.
- Genetics - there are known genetic links to some breast cancers and colon cancer. Our genes are inherited from our parents and they can increase the risk of getting cancer if close relatives have had cancer
- Some viral infections such as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and Hepatitis B
- Weakened immune system - some people diagnosed with AIDS or who have received an organ transplant will have a weakened immune system, as will those who are receiving drugs to suppress their immune system
- Diet - an unhealthy diet, containing excessive fatty foods or too much alcohol will increase the risk
None of the above risk factors alone will always cause cancer but if some of them are combined, then an individual's risk is increased.
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