Cancer is a disease that occurs when some cells in the body start growing uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Our body is made up of trillions of cells, and normally, the cells grow and multiply to form new cells as required. However, sometimes, the orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn't, which may result in the formation of lumps of tissue called tumors. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body, and when removed, they usually don't grow back. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body, which is called metastasis. Solid tumors are the most common type of cancer, but blood cancers like leukemia don't form solid tumors. Benign tumors can also cause serious symptoms or be life-threatening, especially if they are located in critical organs like the brain.

Throughout recorded history, cancer has affected humans and animals. People have been writing about it since ancient times, as evidenced by fossilized bone tumors, mummies from ancient Egypt, and ancient manuscripts. These discoveries have revealed growths that suggest osteosarcoma in mummies and bony skull destruction like that seen in head and neck cancer. The Edwin Smith Papyrus is the oldest known description of cancer (which did not use the word "cancer") and dates back to around 3000 BC. It describes eight cases of tumors or ulcers of the breast that were removed by cauterization with a tool called the fire drill. Unfortunately, the writing states that "There is no treatment" for the disease.

The word cancer comes from the Greek physician Hippocrates, who used the terms carcinos and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer forming and ulcer-forming tumors. These terms refer to a crab in Greek, as the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer reminded him of the shape of a crab. The Roman physician Celsus later translated the Greek term into cancer, the Latin word for crab. Galen used the word oncos (Greek for swelling) to describe tumors. Although the crab analogy of Hippocrates and Celsus is still used to describe malignant tumors, Galen's term is now used as part of the name for cancer specialists, known as oncologists.

Cancer patients are often given a “cancer stage" diagnosis, a medical process of identifying the extent and spread of the cancer to help doctors determine the best treatment options. Staging systems assign a number from I (roman numeral 1) to IV (roman numeral 4) to a cancer. In this staging system, I is an isolated cancer and IV is a cancer that has spread to the limit of how it can be measured.

Cancer stage can also be help predict the course the disease will likely take, how likely treatment will be successful and the overall outlook for patient recovery. Each patient’s cancer experience is different, but cancers of the same type and stage tend to have similar outlooks.

Injuries themselves cannot cause cancer. However, an injury may reveal the presence of cancer in the affected area. For instance, a bone that is weakened due to a cancerous tumor is more susceptible to breaking. Treating the fracture could then lead to the detection of the underlying cancer.

Indeed, cancer is a genetic disease, and understanding its origins is crucial to finding effective treatments. The disease occurs when mutations or changes in genes affect the normal growth and multiplication of our body's cells. Our genes act as an instruction manual for the cells that make up our bodies. Genes are made of DNA and are responsible for producing proteins. Scientists have identified hundreds of genetic mutations, variations, and alterations that contribute to the formation, growth, and spread of cancer. Researchers can develop new therapies and treatments to combat this devastating disease by studying these changes.

There are various reasons for cancer-related genetic changes, including random mistakes in our DNA that happen as our cells multiply, alteration of our DNA by carcinogens present in our environment, and sometimes, inheritance from our parents.

It's important to note that DNA changes can occur throughout our lives and even in the womb, but most aren't harmful on their own. However, an accumulation of genetic changes over many years can lead to healthy cells turning into cancerous cells.

The good news is that by being aware of the factors that can cause genetic changes and taking steps to avoid them, we can reduce our risk of developing cancer. For example, we can quit smoking, protect ourselves from UV rays, and get vaccinated against HPV. Additionally, early detection through regular screenings and check-ups can increase the chances of successful treatment.

It is important to understand that cancer itself cannot be inherited from parents to children, nor can genetic changes in tumor cells be passed down. However, if a genetic mutation that increases the risk of cancer is present in a parent's egg or sperm cells, it can be inherited by their child.

For instance, if a parent passes on a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene to their child, the child is at a much higher risk of developing breast and other types of cancers. This is why cancer may appear to run in families, as up to 10% of all cancers may be caused by inherited genetic mutations.

It is crucial to note that inheriting a cancer-related genetic mutation does not necessarily mean that you will develop cancer. It simply means that your risk of developing cancer is elevated. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals with a family history of cancer speak with their healthcare provider to determine if genetic testing is appropriate for them.

Sugar feeds every cell in our body, including cancer cells. However, research shows that sugar itself does not cause cancer, but excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain, which increases the risk of cancer and other diseases. Women should consume no more than six teaspoons of sugar per day and men should consume no more than nine teaspoons. Hidden sugars can be found in many foods, so it is important to read labels carefully. Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup are healthier alternatives to processed sugar, but they still contain the same amount of calories. Artificial sweeteners should be avoided or used in moderation.

Cancer drugs, also known as chemotherapy or chemo, work by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells that tend to divide and grow rapidly. Chemotherapy is used to achieve two main objectives:

- Treating cancer: It can be utilized to cure cancer, reduce the chances of recurrence or slow down its growth.

- Easing cancer symptoms: It can be used to shrink tumors that cause pain and other discomforts.

Chemotherapy is a common treatment method for various types of cancer. Sometimes, chemotherapy can be the only treatment option, but in most cases, it is used in combination with other cancer treatments. The cancer treatments you need will depend on the type of cancer you have, whether it has spread, and if you have any other health problems.

When combined with other treatments, chemotherapy can:

- Reduce the size of a tumor before radiation therapy or surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)

- Destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)

- Improve the effectiveness of other treatments

- Eliminate cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body