Cancer explained
Cancer explained
What is cancer?
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:
skin
bowel
breasts
prostate
lungs
.
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:
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
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too much
sun
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family
history
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some chemicals and
asbestos
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.
Find out more about preventing
cancer
External Link
.
How common is cancer?
Cancer is common. Many cancers can be treated by a doctor if they are found early.
Screening for
breast
,
bowel
and
cervical cancer
saves lives because cancer can be found earlier, when it is easier to treat.
For up-to-date data about cancer in Victoria, visit the
Victorian Cancer
Registry
External Link
.
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:
lumps, sores or ulcers that don’t heal
breast changes – lumpiness, a thickened area, unusual nipple discharge, a nipple that turns inwards, a change in shape or colour, or pain
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
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:
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
surgery
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.
Side effects of cancer treatments
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.
13 11 20
(or
13 14 50
for an interpreter)
or
contact cancer support to speak with a caring cancer
nurse
External Link
for support.
Living with advanced cancer
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
palliative care
services
External Link
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:
slow down how fast the cancer is growing
shrink the cancer
help you to live more comfortably by managing symptoms, such as pain.
Treatment depends on:
where the cancer started
how far it has spread
your general health
your preferences and what you want to do.
Ask your doctor about treatment and palliative care services that may help you.
Support for carers, family and friends of someone with cancer
Caring for someone with cancer can be difficult sometimes. If you are caring for someone with cancer, these organisations can help:
Cancer Council – Information and support
line
External Link
Tel.
13 11 20
(or
13 14 50
for an
interpreter
External Link
) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse
Cancer Council – caring for someone with
cancer
External Link
Carer
Gateway
External Link
Tel.
1800 422 737
Carers
Australia
External Link
Carers
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
1800 514 845
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Cancer Council – Information and support
line
External Link
Tel.
13 11 20
(or
13 14 50
for an
interpreter
External Link
) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse
Cancer Council – Your guides to best cancer
care
External Link
Cancer Council Victoria,
My Cancer
Guide
External Link
- Find support services that are right for you.
NURSE-ON-CALL
Tel.
1300 606 024
Palliative Care
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9662 9644
Palliative Care
Australia
External Link
National Cancer Screening
Register
External Link
BreastScreen
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
13 20 50
Victorian Cancer
Registry
External Link