What is Cancer?
Cancer is when cells in any part of the body grow out of control, forming a lump called a tumour (which is Latin for lump)! The cells grow out of control because a mistake was made when they were being formed so they don’t respond to the body’s usual control systems. Cells in our bodies multiply by division (hey… that’s strange arithmetic)! Each cell splits into two, which then split into four and so on.
The process of cell division is complex, and each new cell must get exactly the right amount of DNA genes. Remember, the genes DNA are the instructions for the cell. If a mistake is made, the DNA is incorrect which means the cell is abnormal and might grow out of control and cause cancer. Luckily, our body is on the alert for these mistakes, and the immune system kills abnormal cells very quickly. However, if a mistake is missed, it can grow and grow to form a cancer (which in Latin means ‘the crab’ because it gnaws into your body).
What Causes Cancer?
Causes of cancer are the things that make these mistakes in cell division happen. Sometimes these mistakes happen by chance and sometimes we have slightly abnormal genes that make cancer more likely (which is why cancer can run in families). Radiation damages your genes and makes mistakes happen also.
· Too much sunlight can make these mistakes happen in your skin causing skin cancer.
· Carcinogens are chemicals that make mistakes more likely.
· Cigarette smoke causes mistakes in the lungs which, triggers lung cancer.
· Some viruses can also cause cancer. For example, Hepatitis B virus causes liver cancer.
What Types Of Cancer Can Occur?
Cancer is a process that can happen in any organ or system of the body. The problems it causes are different for the different types. Cancer of the blood (leukaemia) is made of abnormal white blood cells and causes problems with the jobs white blood cells do, such as fighting infections. Lung cancer starts as a lump of abnormal lung cells and causes problems by blocking airways and making it difficult to breathe.
A cancer is called malignant when it spreads around the body. It can do this because cancer cells can migrate into the bloodstream and take root far away from the original (primary) cancer. They then develop into a secondary cancer, called a metastasis. Cancers that don’t spread are called benign because they are much less harmful.
How You Can Prevent Cancer
You should start thinking NOW about preventing cancer for when you are older. Here are some important tips.
· Stop smoking – this will almost entirely prevent lung cancer and other cancers such as throat, lip and laryngeal cancer. It also helps prevent stomach, pancreas and gall-bladder cancers as well as bladder cancer.
· Eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day. This will help prevent bowel cancer.
· Have your Hepatitis B vaccine. It is freely available and will prevent liver cancer as well as preventing hepatitis B.
· Some cancers can be picked up by examining yourself regularly. Teenage girls should learn how to do ‘breast self-examination’ for breast lumps every month. Teenage boys should learn how to examine their testicles every month for lumps.
Treatment Of Cancer
Luckily, most cancers can be treated these days. Some treatments for certain cancers are highly successful. For instance, most young people survive Lymphomas, and over four out of five young people now survive Leukaemia. However, others, such as bone and brain tumours, are much more difficult to treat. There are three main forms of treatment. The first is surgery to try and cut the cancer out. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work if the cancer has already spread.
The second treatment is Chemotherapy, which involves using very toxic drugs to poison the cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also have a lot of side effects like losing your hair, getting infections and feeling very tired. The third type of treatment is Radiotherapy, which uses focused X rays to kill the cancer cells. Many cancers can be killed with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
