What is cancer?

How does cancer develop?

Every organ in our body is made up of cells. These cells divide and grow with the new cells created to replace dying cells. This is an ongoing process keeps our body’s organs healthy

Cancer is initially a cell that keeps on growing and dividing. This mutated or abnormal cell keeps on producing more abnormal cells in large numbers. Each new cell in turn produces more abnormal cells. Together these cells form a growth called a tumour.

Tumours

Not all tumours are cancerous. Benign tumours are not cancerous and are usually not life threatening. They do not spread to other locations in the body and removing a benign tumour is usually the only treatment required.

Cancerous tumours are called malignant tumours. If they are not found early, they can spread to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis. Breast cancer most often spreads, or metastasises to the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, liver or brain.

Malignant tumours may be life threatening. In addition to local treatments such as surgery and radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are often used to target cancer cells that may spread out of the breast to other parts of the body.

There are many types of cancer with different characteristics. If a breast cancer spreads to other organs, it retains the characteristics of breast cancer. When that happens, the tumour in the breast is called the primary site and the other affected organs are called secondary sites.

About Breast Cancer

• Breast Facts
• Breast Awareness
• Early Detection & Screening
• Diagnosis
  • What tests will the doctors do?
  • Breast lumps, bumps and Abnormalities
  • What is cancer
  • Types and stages of breast cancer
  • What to do if you are diagnosed?
• Treatment
• Support
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