Cancer

Cancer also is known as a malignant tumor, is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.

Possible signs and symptoms include a new lump, abnormal bleeding, a prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements, among others.

While these symptoms may indicate cancer they may also occur due to other issues. There are over 100 different known cancers that 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 drinking alcohol.

Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation, and environmental pollutants. In the developing world, nearly 20% of cancers are due to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus.

These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell. Typically many such genetic changes are required before cancer develops.

Approximately 5–10% of cancers are due to genetic defects inherited 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.