Cancer, Prevention

Synonyms

Malignancy; Neoplasm; Tumor

Definition

Cancer describes diseases that arise when normal regenerative processes are disrupted by uncontrolled cell growth or by cellular loss of the ability to undergo apoptosis. Abnormal cells continue dividing, forming tumors that can spread to other tissues via invasion or metastasis. Cancer can originate nearly anywhere in the body. The most common type of cancer, carcinoma, begins in the skin or in cells that line or cover internal organs, such as the lungs or colon. Other forms of cancer include sarcoma (arises in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or other connective tissue); myeloma (plasma cells); lymphoma (lymphatic system); and leukemia (white blood cells).

Each year, an estimated 13 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and there are approximately eight million cancer-related deaths [1]. Breast cancer is the leading cancer site amongst women (representing 23% of new diagnoses and 14% of deaths), whilst lung cancer is the most...