Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Cancer is a complex, complicated condition. So if you have a cancer diagnosis, you want as many people as possible working together to treat you.

The exact mechanism of transformation of normal cells to become cancerous is still not known. However, several factors are known to produce cancer-like tobacco in the form of smoking and chewing, alcohol, radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals, excessive fat consumption, viruses, etc.

Certain cancers are seen to occur in families. This does not mean that the disease has been transmitted from parent to children through genetic material. The same lifestyle usually run in families and this could as well be the reason. Scientists believe that if there is a hereditary component, its effect is indeed very little.

The diagnosis of cancer can be made only after a careful clinical examination and several laboratory tests ate required to accurately know the primary site of origin of cancer, type of cancer and to learn the extent of the spread of the disease. These are necessary for planning effective treatment. Identifying cancer cells with the help of a microscope in an aspirate of body issue or scrapings of fluids aspirated by a needle and syringe is called cytology. The examination of a piece of body tissue after processing is called biopsy and histopathology examination

One should know the warning signals of cancer. These need not always be due to cancer, but when a symptom is noted, promptly undergo a through medical examination by a competent physician or cancer specialist. Secondly, self-examination methods and periodic self examination of mouth and breast can detect many cancers in early or precancerous stages. In case of uterine cervix a simple cervical smear test high early detection.