What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease that starts in our cells. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, grouped together to form tissues or organs such as the lungs, the liver, muscles and bones. Genes inside each cell order it to grow, work reproduce and die. Normally our cells obey these orders and we remain healthy. Sometimes a cell’s instructions get mixed up and it behaves abnormally. After a while groups of abnormal cells form lumps or tumours.
Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumour cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually life-threatening.
Malignant tumour cells are able to invade the tissues around them and
spread to other parts of the body. Cancerous cells that spread to other
parts of the body are called metastases. The first sign that a malignant
tumour has spread is often swelling of nearby lymph nodes, but cancer can
spread to almost any part of the body. Malignant tumours can be dangerous.
It is important to find them early and treat them.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca