🧬 What is Cancer?
Understanding the Disease That Affects Millions – and How Science is Fighting Back
The word “cancer” often brings fear, confusion, and questions. But understanding what cancer truly is can empower patients and families to take informed decisions and approach treatment with confidence.
Let’s explore the basics of cancer in clear, simple terms.
🔍 What is Cancer?
At its core, cancer is a disease of abnormal cell growth.
Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. Normally, these cells grow, divide, and die in a controlled manner. But in cancer, this process goes wrong. Cells begin to grow uncontrollably, don’t die when they should, and may start invading nearby tissues or even spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis).
Cancer can develop in almost any part of the body – including organs, blood, bones, and tissues.
🧠 Why Do Cells Become Cancerous?
Cancer is usually caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA of a cell. These mutations may be:
- Inherited from parents (genetic predisposition)
- Acquired due to environmental factors (smoking, pollution, radiation)
- Random, occurring as a part of aging or errors in cell division
These changes disrupt the genes that regulate normal cell growth, leading to uncontrolled proliferation.
📊 Types of Cancer
There are over 100 types of cancer, often named after the organ or cell where they begin.
Common types include:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Head and neck cancers
- Colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer
- Leukemia and lymphoma (blood cancers)
Each type of cancer behaves differently and requires a unique approach to diagnosis and treatment.
⚠️ How is Cancer Different from a Tumor?
- A tumor is a mass of abnormal tissue. It can be:
- Benign (non-cancerous, doesn’t spread)
- Malignant (cancerous, can invade and spread)
- Not all cancers form tumors – blood cancers like leukemia grow within the blood or bone marrow and don’t form solid masses.
🧪 How is Cancer Diagnosed?
Early detection is key. Common tools include:
- Biopsy (removing tissue for testing)
- Imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans)
- Blood tests
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy
- Tumor marker tests or genetic testing
Diagnosis is confirmed by a pathologist after analysing tissue under a microscope.
🧭 How is Cancer Treated?
Cancer treatment depends on the type, stage, and location of the disease. Options include:
- Surgery – to remove the tumor
- Radiation therapy – to destroy cancer cells using high-energy beams
- Chemotherapy – anti-cancer drugs to kill or stop cell growth
- Targeted therapy – attacks specific genes/proteins in cancer cells
- Immunotherapy – boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer
- Hormone therapy – blocks hormones that fuel some cancers
Often, a combination of treatments is used to maximize success.
🔄 Can Cancer Be Cured?
Many cancers are curable, especially when detected early. Even in advanced stages, treatment can often control the disease, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer, its stage at diagnosis, and overall patient health. Advances in medical science have dramatically improved outcomes in recent decades.
💬 A Note from Dr. Amrita Srivastava
“Cancer is no longer the mystery it once was. Today, we have powerful tools for diagnosis, treatment, and support. My goal as a Radiation Oncologist is to offer clarity, compassion, and cutting-edge care to each patient I meet.”
🧘♀️ Living With and Beyond Cancer
A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, but it doesn’t define who you are. Support from oncologists, counselors, nutritionists, and caregivers is vital throughout the journey. Many patients today not only survive cancer but go on to live full, meaningful lives.
📞 Need Help or a Second Opinion?
If you or someone you love is concerned about symptoms, has a recent diagnosis, or needs treatment guidance, you’re not alone.
👩⚕️ Contact Dr. Amrita Srivastava
Radiation Oncologist | Navi Mumbai
🌐 www.dramritasrivastava.com
📧 dramrita.oncology@gmail.com | 📞 +91 9136980810