Cancer Health Center

Cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply and divide without control, first compromising the organ it originates, and then invading different tissues throughout the body (metastasis) by traveling in the blood and lymph systems.

Cancer begins in the body's cells. Usually, healthy cells grow and divide in a controlled manner so the body can produce more cells as needed to keep the body healthy, strong and working properly. When cells become old or damaged, they are simply replaced with new and improved cells. But occasionally within the body, this process can go wrong. The DNA within a cell can become damaged and create a cell mutation which negatively affects how normal cells grow and divide. When this process goes awry, old and damaged cells cannot die when they need to and thereby new cells form but at a time when the body does not need them. These excess cells may join together forming a mass called a tumor.

Not all tumors are cancerous but malignant tumors are. Cells within these cancerous tumors can invade tissue surrounding it and spread to other areas in the body.

However, doctors are not sure what exactly causes cancer and why it may affect one individual and not another. There are risk factors of cancer, meaning it may increase the chance of a person developing the condition. The most common risk factors for cancer are:

  • Growing older
  • Tobacco
  • Sunlight
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Certain chemicals and other substances
  • Certain viruses and bacteria
  • Certain hormones
  • A family medical history of cancer
  • Alcohol
  • Poor diet, lack of physical activity and being overweight
Review Date: 
October 2, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com