What is a short summary of cancer?
In this article we will describe a short summary of cancer. Let’s start with the basics.
1. What is cancer?
Cancer is when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Some cancers may eventually spread into other tissues.
The word ‘cancer’ – comes from the Latin for ‘crab’ – just like the zodiac sign. Cancer was first described by the ancient Egyptians.
2. Not all tumours are cancer
Tumours can be benign, pre-cancer or malignant (cancer). Benign tumours are not cancerous and rarely life-threatening. Many precancers and cancers are curable, especially if diagnosed early.
3. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death
In this Office of National Statistics data some of the patients with dementia and pneumonia will have an underlying cancer.
4. Cancer is a very varied disease: there are more than 200 types and subtypes
The different types have different symptoms, outcomes, treatment and survival.
5. Inherited cancer
Only 5-10% of all cancers are entirely hereditary.
6. Preventable
More than half of all cancers are preventable.
7. Major risk factors for preventable cancers
- Smoking
- Getting too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds
- Being overweight or having obesity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Long-term viruses like Hep B, Hep C and HIV
- If your immune system is being suppressed, e.g. after a transplant.
8. The 5 commonest cancers* in women, and their red flag symptoms
They are as follows (in order). Each has its main red flag symptom that means it should be investigated soon.
- Breast. Lump in breast. 1 in 10 women get breast cancer. That is why it is important to have mammograms, do breast self-examination, and have BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene testing if necessary
- Lung. Blood in sputum. Mainly occurs in smokers
- Bowel. Bleeding from bottom or in poo
- Uterus and cervix. Bleeding from vagina, especially (but not only) after menopause
- Skin (melanoma). New or enlarging mole or lump.
Persistent or unexplained weight loss can also be a symptom of these or other cancers.
As you can see, different cancers are more or less common in women in different age groups NHS (NHS Digital data in England in 2019)
* non-melanoma skin cancer
9. The commonest 5 cancers* in men, and their red flag symptoms
These are (in order):
- Prostate. Difficulty passing urine
- Lung. Blood in sputum
- Bowel. Blood from bottom or in poo
- Head and neck. Ulcer or lump that does not go away in three weeks
- Kidney. Blood in urine.
Persistent or unexplained weight loss can also be a symptom of these or other cancers.
As you can see, different cancers are more or less common in men in different age groups NHS (NHS Digital data in England in 2019)
* non-melanoma skin cancer
10. Peak age
For cancer is 85-89 years.
Summary
We have described a short summary of cancer. Many cancers are curable, especially if picked up early. We hope it has been useful.
Last Reviewed on 9 May 2024