What is cancer and what are the most common types?

Cancer: what is it?

A cancer happens when cells begin to divide out of control.

Benign tumours are growths of abnormal cells which are contained in one area, usually within a membrane. They do not invade other parts of the body.

Malignant tumour cells are cancers. They invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours.

Scientists have identified lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer.

There are also genetic risk factors for some cancers.

Some common types of cancer:

1. Types of lung cancer

a. Brief background: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United Kingdom (excluding non melanoma skin cancer). Around 43,500 people are diagnosed in the UK each year.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

- Small cell lung cancer- Small cell lung cancer is called this because when the cancer cells are very small when looked at under a microscope. Small cell lung cancer is usually caused by smoking, and it’s rare for someone who has never smoked to develop this type of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is often fast-growing and can spread quickly.

- Non-small cell lung cancer- The cancer cells appear bigger under a microscope.

b. Risks of lung cancer

By far the biggest cause of lung cancer is smoking. It causes more than 8 out of 10 cases (86%) including a small proportion caused by exposure to second hand smoke in non smokers (passive smoking).

Other causes include: air pollution, exposure to radon gas, previous lung diseases and family history

c. Preventing lung cancer

Do not smoke/ stay away from others who are smoking

Maintain a healthy diet

Exercise regularly

2. Skin cancer

a. What is skin cancer?

There are two types of skin cancer: Melanoma and non-melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancer refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world!

b. Risks of skin cancer:

- Exposure to the sun’s rays

- Using sunbeds

- Fair skin

- Red hair

- Age

- Family history

- Other skin conditions

- Sunburn

- Moles and freckles

c. Preventing skin cancer

- Wear high factor sun cream

- Stay out of the sun in the heat of the day

- Do not use sunbeds

- Wear a hat and sunglasses

3. Breast cancer:

a. What is breast cancer?

There are several different types of breast cancer, which can develop in different parts of the breast. This can occur in both males and females!

Breast cancer is often divided into non-invasive and invasive types.

Non-invasive breast cancer: this cancer is found in the ducts of the breast and hasn't developed the ability to spread outside the breast.

Invasive breast cancer: Invasive cancer has the ability to spread outside the breast, although this doesn't necessarily mean it has spread.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK!

b. Risks of breast cancer

- Age

- Women are at a greater risk than men

- Inherited genes

- Race and ethnicity (white women have higher risk)

c. Preventing risks of breast cancer

- Breast cancer screening for those over the age of 45- uses a mammogram (see picture to the right).

- Regular exercise and healthy diet

- Breastfeeding can reduce your risk