What is Cancer?

In simple terms, cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells. Each one of us is born with a potential for cancer. One cannot “Catch” it as one would an infection or a cold. When the programming of a cell or a group of cells is affected, growth may become uncontrolled. Some of the factors that can alter the code are chronic irritation, tobacco, smoke and dust, radioactive substances, age, sex, race and heredity. While one cannot control many of these factors , we need to be aware of the ones we can control of. Prevention is definitely better than treatment of cancer. No one yet talks of cure, treatment.

What is the difference between normal and malignant cells?

Normal cells grow in a well-regulated pattern. When cancer sets in, a group of cells suddenly starts multiplying in a haphazard and uncontrolled way, forming lumps or tumors. a malignant tumor never stops growing and can spread to other parts of the body.

Worried about cancer

It can be a worrying time for you and your family. Learn about what is cancer and the main signs and symptoms that you should be aware.

Learn about cancer and the main signs and symptoms

Causes of cancer

Learn about reducing your risk of cancer through lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking or keeping a healthy weight.

Causes of cancer

Tests and scans for cancer

There are many different types of tests and scans. Find out about how you have each test and how to prepare.

Find out about tests to diagnose and monitor cancer

Treatment for cancer

Your treatment depends on where your cancer is, how big it is, whether it has spread, and your general health. There are different types of treatment you might have. Understanding your treatment and the side effects can help you to cope.

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Preparing for treatment and life afterwards

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

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Treatment by cancer type

We have specific treatment information for each cancer type. Choose the cancer type you want to find out about the treatment from this A-Z list of treatments by cancer type.

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Cancer drugs A to Z list

There are many cancer drugs, cancer drug combinations and they have individual side effects.

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Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is anti cancer drug treatment. Find out about when you might have it, how you have it and possible side effects.

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Cancer drugs

Find out about individual cancer drugs, cancer drug combinations, possible side effects and how to cope with them.

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Surgery for cancer

Surgery is one of the main treatments for many types of cancer. Find out about when and why you might have it and what to expect before and after your operation.

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Radiotherapy

Find out about cancer treatment with radiotherapy, including external radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy, side effects, radiotherapy for symptoms and follow up after treatment.

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Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of hormones in the body to stop or slow down the growth of cancer.

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Stem cell and bone marrow transplants

Stem cell or bone marrow transplants are treatments for some types of cancer including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. You have them with high dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy.

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Targeted cancer drugs

Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that help a cancer cell to survive and grow.

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Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer. It’s a standard treatment for some types of cancer and is in trials for other types of cancer.

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What is personalized medicine?

Personalised medicine involves using information about a person’s cancer to help diagnose, treat and find out about how well treatment is working.

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Palliative treatment

In advanced cancer, palliative treatment might help someone to live longer and more comfortably, even if they cannot be cured. The palliative care team can support people with any stage of cancer and help with symptoms or side effects of treatment.

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Other treatments

These are cancer treatments using medical technologies (interventional treatments) including laser treatment, photodynamic therapy and cryotherapy.

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Complementary and alternative therapies

The phrases complementary therapy and alternative therapy are often used as if they mean the same thing. They may also be combined into one phrase – complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs).