All About Cancer
Understanding Cancer
What is Cancer
The term cancer refers to a group of diseases. Although there are over 100 different types of cancer, all cancers are characterised by abnormal cell growth. If left untreated, this disease can lead to death.
How Cancer Starts
Your body is made up of trillions of living cells. Within each cell are genes that control and direct the cell’s functions. Normal cells continuously grow and divide. Over time, they die and are replaced by new ones.
In most people, this natural cell replacement occurs in an orderly and organised manner. However, this process sometimes breaks down. Unlike normal healthy cells, cancer cells do not die. Instead, they continue to grow and divide in an uncontrollable manner. These defective cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumour.
What Are Tumours
Tumours can be benign or malignant. Tumours that stay in one location and do not spread to other parts of the body are considered to be benign. These are not cancerous and are rarely life-threatening although they can sometimes cause problems, especially when they grow too big.
On the other hand, malignant tumours can destroy and invade other normal tissues in your body, making you very sick. However, not all types of cancer form tumours. For instance, tumours are uncommon in leukaemia. These are cancers that typically start in the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream.
When Cancer Spreads
Cancer cells can spread when they migrate to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems, forming new tumours. This process is called metastasis. Even when cancer spreads, it is always named based on where it first occurred. For instance, cancer that begins in the breast is called breast cancer. If it spreads to other parts of the body, like the liver or bone, it is called metastatic breast cancer.
With so many different cancers, it is important for you to know which type of cancer you have so that you can receive the right treatment.
Cancer Myth Debunked
Myths and misconceptions about cancer can cause unnecessary worries about your health. The wrong information may even affect the way one responds or reacts to a diagnosis of this disease. Here are some common cancer myths:
MYTH 1: Cancer is a death sentence
FACT: About a third of all cancers can be cured if they are detected and treated early.That is why regular health check-ups and cancer screenings are important. Today, about 9 in 10 people with certain early-stage cancers, such as breast, prostate and thyroid cancers, survive for at least five years after their cancer is diagnosed. New cancer treatments also mean that more people with advanced cancers can live longer.
MYTH 2: Cancer is contagious
FACT: You cannot catch cancer from someone who has it. Spending time with a loved one who has cancer will not cause you to get it too. Rarely will a person who has had an organ or tissue transplantation develop cancer from a donor who had cancer previously. Although cancer itself does not spread from person to person, certain viruses can increase your risk of getting cancer. Hepatitis B or C spreads through sexual intercourse or infected needles and increases your risk of getting liver cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually-transmitted infection that can increase your risk of getting cervical cancer (when clicked move to Cervical Cancer page).
MYTH 3: Eating sugar will make cancer grow faster
FACT: Research has shown that cancer cells absorb more sugar than normal cells. But there is no scientific evidence to suggest that eating sugar or sweet foods will worsen cancer. However, a diet high in sugar can cause you to gain excess weight and increase your risk of diabetes. People who are obese or have diabetes have a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
MYTH 4: Bad thoughts or negative attitudes will cause me to develop or die from cancer
FACT: There is no scientific evidence to show that you can increase your risk of cancer or die from it because of a negative attitude, or vice versa. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you are likely to experience many different emotions. You might feel sad, angry, frightened or discouraged. When the going gets tough, a positive attitude might be able to help you cope better with your cancer diagnosis or side effects of treatment.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually-transmitted infection that can increase your risk of getting cervical cancer (when clicked move to Cervical Cancer page).
MYTH 5: Surgery or a tumour biopsy will cause cancer to spread
FACT: Although possible, the chances of this occurring are extremely low. Your surgeon follows a strict set of procedures and takes steps to prevent this from happening when he or she is performing a biopsy.
MYTH 6: If someone in my family has cancer, I am likely to get it too
FACT: About five to ten per cent of cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations. A strong family history of cancer puts you at a higher risk of developing it. However, this does not imply you will definitely get cancer later in life. For cancer to develop, other factors such as ageing, smoking, and radiation play a part as well.
MYTH 7: I am safe from cancer because no one in my family has had it
FACT: About 1 in every 4 to 5 Singapore residents, male or female, is likely to develop cancer during in his or her lifetime. Cancer is caused by genetic mutations that occur within the cells. You may have inherited the gene mutation from your parents. However, gene mutations can also occur from factors such as exposure to smoking, radiation, other cancer-causing substances, and even viruses. Other risk factors such as obesity and diabetes can also increase your risk of developing cancer.
MYTH 8: I get cancer from dyeing my hair
FACT: At the moment, there is no conclusive proof that using hair dye increases cancer risk. Some studies show that people who are regularly exposed to hair dye, like hairdressers and stylists, might have a higher risk of developing cancer. However, it is not known how much hair dye might increase this risk.
MYTH 9: Cancer treatment will bankrupt me
FACT: Besides coping with the reality of a cancer diagnosis, you may also worry about treatment costs. Fortunately, financial assistance and aid are available to help you tide through this difficult period.