Cancer explained

What is cancer? is a disease of the cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of the human body. Our body is made up of lots of different types of cells like bone, skin and blood cells. The body constantly makes new cells to help us grow, replace old cells and heal injuries.

Sometimes this process goes wrong, and the cell becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell keeps dividing, making more abnormal cells. The abnormal cells can gather together and form a lump called a tumour.

There are 2 kinds of tumours: Benign tumours are not cancer

They do not spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumours are cancer

They can spread to other parts of the body.

Where can cancer start? As our body is made up of cells, cancer can start anywhere in the body. Some common places for cancer to start include: The place where the cancer first starts is called ‘primary cancer’.

Sometimes the doctors can’t find where the cancer first started.

This is called ‘cancer of unknown primary’

Can cancer spread? Sometimes cancer cells move to other parts of the body. Cancer that has spread and developed into a tumour somewhere else in the body is called a ‘secondary cancer’ or ‘metastasis’.

How do you get cancer? Cancer can happen to anybody. Some things put people at a greater risk of getting cancer, including: some viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (spread by sex).

Cancer is not contagious

People cannot catch cancer from someone who has it. It is safe to be near someone who has cancer.

How common is cancer? Cancer is common

Many cancers can be treated by a doctor if they are found early. saves lives because cancer can be found earlier, when it is easier to treat.

How is cancer found (diagnosed)? Sometimes, doctors find cancer because the person is feeling unwell and has symptoms.

Cancer can also be found during routine screening to check your health.

Not everyone with symptoms has cancer

It is important to know what is normal for your body, and to see your doctor straight away if you notice changes like:

• breast changes – lumpiness a thickened area unusual nipple discharge
• a nipple that turns inwards a change in shape or colour or pain unexplained pain in the body that does not get better

What happens if you have cancer? Cancer won’t go away without treatment. The treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer (how much it has grown and spread).

The most common cancer treatments are: immunotherapy

Your doctor will explain the options available to you.

Each person is different; some people have more than one type of treatment

If the cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.

If the cancer can’t be treated, your doctor may give you a treatment to make you feel better (by controlling your symptoms).

With these types of treatment, you might feel less pain and have a better life.

All cancer treatments can have side effects

Your treatment team will discuss these with you before you start treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you are experiencing. Some side effects can be upsetting and difficult, but there is help if you need it.

Call Cancer Council Tel. for support. Advanced cancer usually means cancer that is unlikely to be cured. Some people can live for many months or years with advanced cancer.

During this time can help

Most people continue to have treatment for advanced cancer as part of palliative care, as it helps manage the cancer and improve their day-to-day lives. Many people think that palliative care is for people who are dying but palliative care is for any stage of advanced cancer. There are doctors, nurses and other people who specialise in palliative care.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or another type of treatment. It can help in these ways: help you to live more comfortably by managing symptoms, such as pain. Treatment depends on: your preferences and what you want to do.

Ask your doctor about treatment and palliative care services that may help you. Caring for someone with cancer can be difficult sometimes.

If you are caring for someone with cancer, these organisations can help: Tel

Cancer skin bowel breasts prostate lungs getting older (half of all cancers are diagnosed in people aged 75 or over) smoking tobacco drinking too much alcohol not doing enough exercise eating unhealthy food being overweight too much sun family history some chemicals and asbestos Find out more about preventing cancer Screening for breast , bowel and cervical cancer For up-to-date data about cancer in Michigan, visit the Michigann Cancer Registry lumps, sores or ulcers that don’t heal skin changes – moles that change shape, size or colour, or bleed a cough that won’t go away finding it hard to breathe or voice changes losing weight without trying nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away diarrhoea or constipation that doesn’t go away or you can’t explain for women, loss of blood from the vagina that is not normal , even if it’s a few spots between periods or after menopause blood in your poo or wee chemotherapy radiation therapy surgery Side effects of cancer treatments 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter) or contact cancer support to speak with a caring cancer nurse Living with advanced cancer palliative care services slow down how fast the cancer is growing shrink the cancer where the cancer started how far it has spread your general health Support for carers, family and friends of someone with cancer Cancer Council – Information and support line 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter ) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse Cancer Council – caring for someone with cancer Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 Carers United States Carers Michigan 1800 514 845 Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Cancer Council – Information and support line 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter ) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse Cancer Council – Your guides to best cancer care Cancer Council Michigan, My Cancer Guide Find support services that are right for you.

NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0400 Palliative Care Michigan (616) 555-0200 Palliative Care United States National Cancer Screening Register BreastScreen Michigan 13 20 50 Michigann Cancer Registry .

Key Points

• Some common places for cancer to start include: The place where the cancer first starts is called ‘primary cancer’
• called ‘cancer of unknown primary’
• How common is cancer? Cancer is common
• saves lives because cancer can be found earlier, when it is easier to treat
• How is cancer found (diagnosed)? Sometimes, doctors find cancer because the person is feeling unwell and has symptoms