Definition: cancer is a group of abnormal cells. It is known under the name of tumor (malignant), which grows without being controlled. Cancer tumors invade and destroy the tissues that surround them. Not all tumors are cancerous (there are also benign tumors). Benign tumors, which are not cancerous, do not invade and do not destroy tissue.
A benign tumor may grow, however, to a wide extent. Cancerous tumors can spread cancer cells to other parts of the body, a phenomenon called metastasis, as opposed to benign tumors, which do not spread in this manner.
Causes: in order for a form of cancer to appear, there needs to be something that affects the nucleus of a cell. Some people are born with a predisposition for cancer. Their cells can be more vulnerable to afflictions that lead to cancer. For others, the affliction intervenes after years of exposure to substances that are known to cause cancer. Tobacco, regardless of the source, is highly detrimental. Certain chemicals, unprotected exposure to the sun and radiation can lead to serious afflictions.
Symptoms: the specific symptoms of cancer depend on the location of the tumor. In some cases, a tumor may lay hidden for years, since it does not affect the tissue in a way that stimulates the occurrence of visible symptoms. For example, colon cancer can stay undetected until it digs a hole in a blood vessel of the colon, a moment when blood starts leaking into the stool. In many cases, cancer symptoms are vague or they can be mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. Non-specific symptoms of cancer may include fatigue, unusual bumps or cysts, loss of weight, persistent coughing, abnormal stools. All these symptoms should constitute a red flag for the person in question and determine them to go to a doctor.
Diagnosis: If a person is suspected of cancer, this can be confirmed through the examination of abnormal tissues in a pathology lab. This can mean the removal of some of the tissue through biopsy. Sometimes, the entire tumor is removed, a procedure called resection. X-rays and blood tests can measure the spreading of the disease, namely its stage.
Prevention: a cancer discovered early is much easier to treat and has better odds. Rules that need to be observed for the prevention of cancer: avoid all tobacco products; limit the exposure to the sun, especially for children; reduce the amount of foods rich in fiber that you eat; avoid the consumption of alcohol; get regular checkups – the self examination of testicles for men; the self examination of breasts for women (palpation).
Since some types of cancer cannot be prevented, early detection and diagnosis constitute the best chance for the survival of the cancer patient. I hope this answers the question “how does cancer happen?” for you and you should remember that in most cancer cases prevention lies in your hands, and when cancer happens it is not unstoppable if you are well informed and know what you are dealing with.