Cancer

Cancer - A term for diseases in which cells in the body begin to grow and divide in an abnormal and uncontrolled manner, usually forming a malignant tumor or growth. Cancer develops because of unrepaired damage to DNA (the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information). Cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to different parts of the body (via the circulatory or lymphatic systems), where they can replace normal cells and tissues. Cancers are named according to their primary site (the part of the body in which the cancer first began). Some risk factors for cancer include the following: lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, exercise, and exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke), age, sex, medical history, and family history.

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