Cancer is a change in normal cells that results in uncontrolled growth, lack of differentiation of the cells to their normal type, and an ability to invade local tissues and spread through the body.

Cancer can develop in any organ at any age. Most cancers detected early enough are potentially curable.

What causes cancer?
 A review of the vast literature on cancer and its possible causes shows that this is something for which no single cause will be found. Where there are multiple causes it is very easy to find statistical relationships between specific factors that may, in the end, turn out to be spurious. So each new "cause" for cancer must be treated with caution before rushing out and making major modifications to your and your family's lifestyle.

There are other things to think about as well. Many people will say to you that cancer is becoming more common. This may be so, but until very recently we could not accurately diagnose cancer and so people died of illnesses of unknown cause that may have been cancer. In the developed world we are living longer than at any time before. But that aside, cancers are, in general, diseases of old age, so you would expect to see more of them in an aging population.

While smoking is a known cause of cancer, when it comes to things like diet and lifestyle, moderation is the key. Be sensible and make sure that your quality of life is good, and you will probably be doing all the right things anyway.

Warning signs
 There are many general warning signs of cancer, all of which should lead to a visit to your GP for a check up...

  • Any unexplained bleeding, particularly from the anus, or the vagina in a woman who has passed the menopause.
  • Any lumps in the breasts or testicles.
  • A change in bowel habits, for example persistent diarrhoea or constipation.
  • A mole or wart which starts to change size, bleed or become itchy or painful.
  • Weight loss when you are not on a diet may be a warning sign, as is excessive tiredness in a normally energetic person.
  • Persistent, gnawing pain in the stomach, which is also felt in the back may be a sign of problems in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Pain and difficulty swallowing in a smoker or heavy drinker.

    There are some cancers that occur in clusters in families, such as colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancer. People who have large numbers of close relatives with these types of cancers should see their GP to ask about specific screening. Breast cancer can also occur in families.

    However, cancers are generally only explained by hereditary factors in a small number of cases, so, unless you know that your family has a tendency to a particular cluster of cancers, there is probably no reason to seek specific screening.

    Unfortunately there is no standard check which will screen you for all cancers. There are now genetic markers for a few types of cancer such as certain breast and bowel cancers, but their use is controversial. You may have a genetic marker for one of these cancers, but that will not give you an absolute probability of your chances of contracting the disease.

    Preventing cancer
     Is there anything that we can do to prevent cancer? The increase in knowledge of what causes cancer suggests that there are certain ways in which you can modify your lifestyle to at least reduce any risk you may have of contracting cancer.

  • Stop smoking! This is probably the single most important action anyone can take for the sake of their health. Smoking does not only cause lung cancer, but a number of other types of cancer as well.

  • A low fat diet seems to protect against certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon.

  • A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fibre also seems to have a protective effect, particularly against colon cancer.

  • Limit alcohol, meat and sun exposure.

  • Regular exercise is thought to have a protective effect against breast cancer, and may affect other cancers as well.


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