Cancer, One Name for Many Diseases

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. It occurs when cells become abnormal and keep dividing and forming more cells without control or order.

If cells continue to divide when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue will form. This mass of extra tissue, called a tumor, can be benign or malignant.
  • Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed and cells from these tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. These types of tumors are rarely a threat to life.
  • Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can spread to nearby tissue and organs. They can invade the bloodstream and spread cancer from the original tumor to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Cancers are usually named for the type of cell or organ in which they begin. When cancer spreads, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the original tumor.

It is important that cancer is diagnosed and treated as early as possible to better your chance for a full recovery. You can improve your chances of detecting cancer early by having regular medical checkups and doing self-exams. Also, ask your doctor about your cancer risk, problems to watch for and ways to lower your chances of developing cancer.

Be aware of the symptoms associated with cancer:
  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits
  • A sore that does not heal
  • Unusual bleeding or discharge
  • Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
  • Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
  • Obvious change in a wart or mole
  • Nagging cough or hoarseness
  • Unexplained weight loss
Although these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions, it is important to see your doctor if these symptoms persist for two or more weeks. Do not wait to feel pain because early cancer often does not cause pain.


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