An abnormal mass of cells that forms when a group of cells undergo uncontrolled growth and division
Tumors
There are two different types: benign and malignant
Benign tumors are contained within one area usually within a membrane and are not normally dangerous
Malignant tumors can invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body where they can form new secondary tumors, causing damage and potentially being fatal
Cancer
Malignant tumors that are able to invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body
Risk factors that increase the chance of developing cancer
Smoking
Obesity
Ultraviolet light exposure
Drinking alcohol
Inherited genes (e.g. BRCA genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer)
Smoking
Linked to lung cancer and other cancers (mouth, stomach, cervical)
Obesity
Linked to multiple cancers (bowel, liver, kidney)
Ultraviolet light exposure
Strongly linked to skin cancer
Drinking alcohol
Linked to increased risk of liver cancer
Inherited genes (e.g. BRCA)
Make people more susceptible to certain cancers (e.g. breast, ovarian)
