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Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly way. Cancer develops when this process breaks down and cells continue growing without control.

While a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, advances in research, screening, and treatment continue to improve outcomes for many patients. Today, many cancers can be effectively treated, managed, or even cured—especially when detected early.

Cancer usually develops due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that cause changes in a cell’s DNA. These changes can disrupt the normal processes that control how cells grow and divide.

Some common factors associated with cancer include:

Biological factors

• Age: Cancer risk increases as we get older due to accumulated cellular damage.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes can influence certain cancers such as breast or prostate cancer.
• Immune system function: A weakened immune system may have difficulty identifying and destroying abnormal cells.

Environmental factors

• Chemical exposures: Long-term exposure to substances like asbestos, industrial chemicals, or pollutants.
• Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or high radiation exposure can damage DNA.
• Tobacco smoke: Smoking and secondhand smoke are among the leading causes of many cancers.

Genetic factors

• Inherited mutations: Some people inherit gene mutations (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2) that increase cancer risk.
• Acquired mutations: DNA changes that occur during normal cell division over time.

Lifestyle factors

• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Alcohol use

Infections

• Certain bacteria and viruses are linked to cancer, such as HPV, hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori.

Understanding these risk factors can help people make informed lifestyle choices and participate in appropriate cancer screenings.

Cancer is not a single disease but a group of related diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, usually named for the type of cell or tissue where they begin.

Major categories include:

Carcinomas
These cancers begin in the skin or in tissues that line organs. Examples include breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Central nervous system (CNS) cancers
These develop in the brain or spinal cord, such as glioblastoma or astrocytoma.

Germ cell tumors
These start in reproductive cells and may occur in the ovaries or testicles.

Leukemias
Cancers that begin in blood-forming tissues like the bone marrow, causing abnormal blood cells to circulate in the bloodstream.

Lymphomas
Cancers of the lymphatic system and immune cells, including Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Myelomas
Cancers that develop in plasma cells within bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma.

Sarcomas
Cancers that form in connective or supportive tissues like bone, muscle, cartilage, fat, or blood vessels.

Each category can include multiple subtypes, which is why cancer treatment is often highly personalized for each patient.

In some cases, blood tests can help detect signs that may indicate cancer. Certain cancers produce substances called tumor markers, which can sometimes be identified in blood tests.

Blood work may also reveal abnormal blood cell counts or other changes that prompt further testing. However, blood tests alone typically cannot diagnose cancer. Doctors usually combine blood tests with imaging studies, biopsies, and other diagnostic tools to make an accurate diagnosis.

While not all cancers can be prevented, many risk factors can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical care.

Steps that may help lower cancer risk include:

• Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
• Staying physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding tobacco products
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure
• Staying up to date on recommended screenings

Regular screenings and checkups are especially important because early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, and the patient’s overall health. Many patients receive a combination of therapies designed to target cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue.

Common treatment options include:

Surgery
Removes cancerous tissue from the body and is often used when cancer is localized.

Radiation therapy
Uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors.

Targeted therapy
Focuses on specific molecules involved in cancer growth, often affecting cancer cells more precisely than traditional chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy
Helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Hormone therapy
Blocks or reduces hormones that fuel certain cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer.

Stem cell transplant
Replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells, commonly used in certain blood cancers.

Your oncology team will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan designed to provide the best possible outcome.