CANCER 

Cancer is a condition characterised by UNCONTROLLED CELL GROWTH AND DIVISION.

This can lead to the formation of TUMOURS, which are classified as either BENIGN or MALIGNANT.

BENIGN TUMORS are growth of abnormal cells which are contained in one area, usually within a membrane. They do not invade other parts of the body and are NOT CANCEROUS.

MALIGNANT TUMORS, are CANCEROUS. They invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form SECONDARY TUMOURS.

Risk Factors for Cancer

The risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing cancer can be LIFESTYLE-RELATED or GENETIC.

Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors

• Smoking: A leading cause of lung cancer and also linked to other types, including mouth and cervical cancer.
• Obesity: Increases the risk of several cancers such as breast, liver, and kidney.
• UV Exposure: Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun increases the risk of skin cancer.
• Viral Infections: Some viruses, like human papillomavirus (HPV), can increase the risk of cancers like cervical cancer.

Genetic Risk Factors

• Inherited genes can make individuals more susceptible to cancer. For instance, mutations in the BRCA genes significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.