{"id":354,"date":"2024-06-15T18:35:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-15T18:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellok.org\/?page_id=354"},"modified":"2024-06-15T18:35:22","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T18:35:22","slug":"ti-einai-karkinos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ellok.org\/en\/ti-einai-karkinos\/","title":{"rendered":"What is cancer?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Getting to know
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is cancer?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Cancer is a large group of diseases that can occur in almost any organ or tissue of the body, when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, extend beyond their usual boundaries, and invade neighboring organs and\/or spread to other parts of the body. The spread to other organs is called metastasis and is a major cause of cancer-related death. Cancer is also referred to as a neoplastic disease or malignant tumor.<\/p>\n

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer among men. Among women, the most common types are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and thyroid cancer.<\/p>\n

The disease is growing at an increasing rate worldwide, with significant physical, psychological, and economic impacts on individuals, their loved ones, their communities, and healthcare systems. Many healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries are less prepared to address cancer, and a large number of cancer patients do not have access to timely diagnosis and treatment. In countries with strong healthcare systems, survival rates for many types of cancer are improving due to access to early diagnosis and high-quality treatment and care.<\/p>\n

References:<\/b>\u00a0WHO.\u00a0https:\/\/www.who.int\/health-topics\/cancer#tab=tab_1<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does cancer develop?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Under normal conditions, cells grow and divide in a controlled manner (through a process called cell division), creating new cells that the body needs. Sometimes, this orderly process is disrupted, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn\u2019t. These cells form tumors, which are masses of tissue. These tumors can be either benign or cancerous.<\/p>\n

Cancerous tumors spread into or invade nearby tissues and may travel to other parts of the body to form new tumors (metastasis). Most types of cancer form solid tumors; however, blood-related cancers, such as leukemia, usually do not form solid tumors.<\/p>\n

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by specific changes in genes that control how cells function, grow, and divide. These genetic changes may result from errors during cell division, damage to DNA caused by harmful substances in the environment, or inherited factors.<\/p>\n

Normally, the body has mechanisms that limit cells with DNA damage before they develop into cancer. However, this ability of the body decreases with age. This is one of the reasons why the likelihood of developing cancer is higher at older ages.<\/p>\n

Cancer in each person involves a unique combination of genetic changes. As cancer develops, additional changes occur. Even within the same tumor, different cells may have undergone different genetic alterations.<\/p>\n

References:<\/b>\u00a0National Cancer Institute\u00a0https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/understanding\/what-is-cancer<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCauses and prevention\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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The exact reasons why one person develops cancer and another does not are usually not easy to identify. However, research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person\u2019s chances of developing cancer. Cancer risk factors include exposure to chemicals or other substances, as well as certain habits. They also include conditions that people cannot control, such as age or family history.<\/p>\n

Most risk factors are initially identified through epidemiological studies. In these studies, scientists examine large groups of people and compare individuals who develop cancer with those who do not. These studies may show that people who develop cancer are more or less likely to have certain habits or to be exposed to specific substances compared to those who do not develop cancer.<\/p>\n

Such studies alone are not enough to prove that a habit or substance causes cancer. For example, the finding may be a random result, or the actual risk factor may be different from what is believed to have caused cancer. When multiple studies converge on a common correlation between a risk factor and an increased cancer risk, and when a potential mechanism is identified that could explain how a risk factor might actually cause cancer, scientists can have greater confidence in identifying the risk factors for cancer development.<\/p>\n

Among the most studied known or probable risk factors for cancer are: age, smoking, alcohol consumption, carcinogenic substances, radiation and ultraviolet radiation, chronic inflammation, hormones, immunosuppression, infectious agents, and obesity.<\/p>\n

Although some of these risk factors can be avoided, others \u2014 such as age \u2014 cannot. Limiting exposure to avoidable risk factors can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n

Approximately 30-50% of cancer deaths could be prevented if key risk factors were changed or avoided, and if evidence-based prevention strategies were implemented.<\/p>\n

The impact of cancer can also be reduced through early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. However, prevention remains the most effective long-term strategy for controlling cancer.<\/p>\n

Changing habits or avoiding the following risk factors can significantly contribute to cancer prevention:<\/p>\n