Cancer is characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal cell growth. There are more than 100 different kinds of the disease, which are typically named for the part of the body where the abnormal growth, also called a tumor, first develops.
Your body replaces cells on a regular basis. Some parts of the body have quick cell turnover, while others regenerate more slowly. Typically, your genes control your cell development, but when those genes are mutated, your cells may begin to multiply at an abnormally fast rate causing a build-up of cells to develop into a tumor.
In many cases, tumors are benign, which means they are non-cancerous. However, other growths are malignant. This means they pull nutrients away from the surrounding healthy tissue and interfere with your body’s normal functions. It is possible for tumors to become quite large and for the cancer cells to travel to other parts of the body through your blood or lymphatic system.
Many cancers are treatable when caught in their early stages. Unfortunately, many cancers don’t cause any symptoms until they are in later stages. This is why it is critical to have regular cancer screenings, especially if you have a family history of cancer.
