What is Cancer?
Your body (organs and skin) is made up of trillions of cells. These cells work together, dividing and reproducing in a precise way.
Old cells die off and new healthy cells take their place daily.
Sometimes when cells are reproduced mistakes are made. We call these mutations. Usually the healthy cells in our bodies correct mutations.
Mutated cells have changed DNA that causes them to multiply and divide out of control. When healthy cells are not able to correct mutations then mutated cells continue to divide out of control forming growths and tumours.
These growths or tumours (cancer cells) can spread to other parts of the body through your bloodstream or lymphatic system, making the cancer more difficult to treat. They infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue.
There are over 200 types of cancer, which further complicates treatment.
Although many cancers form solid tumours, cancers of the blood like leukaemia do not.
Image Credit: Freepik
Learn About Cancer
2) What is Cancer Booklet? * English | isiZulu
3) Frequently Asked Questions Cancer
5) Cancer Myths
6) CancerCare Coping Kit Audio Programme
7) iSurvivor (weekly email support programme)
8) South African and Global Cancer Statistics
*Source: Department of Health KZN
Types of Cancer
According to the National Cancer Registry (2019) ** the most prevalent cancers among South Africans are:
Males:
Read more about cancers affecting men…
*Testicular cancer (men from the age of 15 years to 49 years should do a monthly testicular examination)
Females:
Read more about cancers affecting women…
The above-mentioned excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) including basal cell (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).
**Read more about SA cancer statistics
