Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.

Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% is due to obesity, a poor diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive drinking of alcohol. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants. In the developing world, 15% of cancers are due to infections such as Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human papillomavirus infection, Epstein–Barr virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell. Typically, many genetic changes are required before cancer develops. Approximately 5–10% of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects from a person’s parents. Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests. It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy.

Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and avoiding too much processed and red meat. Early detection through screening is useful for cervical and colorectal cancer. The benefits of screening in breast cancer are controversial. Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Pain and symptom management are an important part of care. Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease. The chance of survival depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment.

In children under 15 at diagnosis, the five-year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80%. For cancer in the United States, the average five-year survival rate is 66%. In children under 15 at diagnosis, the most common types of cancer are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (32%), brain tumors (26%), and lymphoma (14%). In adults, the most common types of cancer are breast cancer (25%), lung cancer (13%), and colorectal cancer (10%). In 2020, about 9.5 million people died from cancer.

The earliest known mention of cancer is in a Sumerian clay tablet from 2100 BC. The Ebers Papyrus from Egypt, written around 1550 BC, contains a description of breast cancer and a recipe for treating it. The Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 BC) was the first to describe the four main types of cancer: breast, lung, stomach, and skin. He also coined the term “cancer”. The Roman physician Galen (130–200 AD) further developed the understanding of cancer. He described the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another and the different types of tumors.

In the Middle Ages, there was little progress in the understanding of cancer. However, in the 17th century, the English physician Thomas Willis (1621–1675) made significant advances in the understanding of cancer. He described the different types of cancer cells and the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. He also developed a classification system for tumors.

In the 19th century, there was further progress in the understanding of cancer. The German physician Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902) developed the cell theory, which states that all living things are made up of cells. He also showed that cancer is caused by changes in cells.

In the 20th century, there was great progress in the treatment of cancer. The development of chemotherapy in the 1940s and radiation therapy in the 1950s made it possible to treat cancer more effectively. In the 1970s, the development of targeted therapy made it possible to target specific molecules involved in cancer growth.

Today, cancer is a major public health problem. However, thanks to advances in research, there are now many effective treatments for cancer. With early detection and treatment, many people can survive cancer.

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
2. drpatelshospital.com/treatments
3. issuu.com/theeasterntoday/docs/8th_march/4
4. www.facebook.com/evangelismchristiannetwork/posts/series-42-three-human-diseases-worse-than-cancer-hatred-bitterness-and-unforgive/2408274789452034/
5. www.needpix.com/photo/487904/cancer-horoscope-zodiac-sign-astrology-symbol-signs-of-the-zodiac-icon-images-constellations

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