Cancer is the general name for diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. Under normal conditions, cell reproduction is carefully controlled by the body. Normal cells grow and divide, replicating themselves in a natural cycle. Cancer cells grow and divide too quickly. This abnormal cell growth forms unhealthy masses of tissue or tumors.

However not all tumors are malignant (cancerous). A tumor may be benign (non-cancerous), in which case it can usually be removed and will rarely come back.

Cancer can originate in one part of the body and spread to others, a process called metastasis. For example, metastatic lung cancer indicates that the cancer first occurred in the lungs and spread to other locations.

What causes cancer?

The causes of cancer are not clearly understood. There is often no explanation for why one person gets the disease and another doesn’t. Exposure to environmental carcinogens is one risk factor. Other risk factors include lifestyle choices and genetics. The more you know about risk factors, the more you can do to protect yourself.

The most common cancers today are:

• Breast Cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Skin Cancer