According to the American Cancer Society, there were more than 1.4 million new cancer diagnoses in 2008, of these about 10,400 affected children between infancy and 15 years of age.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Cancer cells grow and divide like normal cells. However, they outlive normal cells and continue to create more abnormal cells. There are more than 100 different types of cancer which are usually named by the organ or location of the body they affect. Metastasis, or the spreading of cancer, usually occurs through the bloodstream or lymph system. In addition to spreading, cancer cells also tend to form tumors (lumps or masses), but not all tumors are cancerous.
- Benign Tumors – are not cancerous and don’t usually spread to other parts of the body. If they are found, they are normally removed.
- Malignant Tumors – are cancerous and can spread to near by tissue and other parts of the body.
What Causes Cancer?
Anybody can get cancer, and cancer may be diagnosed at any age. The causes of cancer are unknown, and research to discover causes and cures continues today. Different types of cancer have different risk factors, understanding more about these risk factors can help you prevent cancer. If you have a risk factor, your chance for getting cancer is increased. Fortunately, you can reduce or eliminate some risk factors. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and getting plenty of exercise can all help reduce your risk for cancer. Other risk factors, such as your age, ethnicity, family history and inherited genes, cannot be changed.
Early Detection Is Key
Early detection, prompt innovative treatment and high quality care are vital to treat cancer. When it comes to diagnosing and treating cancer, at MemorialCare, we tailor care plans to aggressively target cancer while maintaining and enhancing quality of life.