Normal cells divide to reproduce more cells for growth and repair. This division is fully controlled by the DNA. In cancer, the DNA that controls this division cycle malfunctions leading to uncontrollable division and growth of cells.

a) Some cancers appear to be hereditary. Which means that the DNA passed from one generation to the next may contain information that leads to disease. These cancers include some breast cancers and some colon cancers. A genetic link makes it more likely that you will develop a particular type of cancer, but it does not guarantee that you will get cancer.
b) No, because cancer is not contagious and does not spread by any type of skin contact. Cancer can be transferred through genes(hereditary), and carcinogens.

a. Carcinogens are substance or environment factors that cause cancer.

b. The biggest carcinogen in today’s world is tobacco in cigarette smoke. This along with nicotine may lead to several types of cancer. The worst problem of tobacco smoke is it that it does not ONLY harm the smoker, but also people around him/her by exposing them to passive smoking. The carcinogens in tobacco smoke can also be detrimental to the health of these passive smokers.

Cancer is in fact a growth of cells and therefore can be overlooked in its early stages by being considered as a regular growth and not a fatal one.

Cancer detection is monitored by:

1. Self examination at home in areas where there is a likelyhood of occurrence. For example occurrence of lumps in breasts of women may indicate an early sign of breast cancer in women. Pap test for women and PSA test for men.

2. Blood test and skin test

3. Endoscopy

4. CT scan and MRI

5. X-ray and ultrasound.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to treat cancer.

In surgery, the entire lump of cancerous cells and tissues is cut from the body and removed. This technique is based on the location of cancer in the human body and a preferred method of treatment if the affected area is easily accessible.

In chemotherapy, drugs are used to reduce the rate of growth of cancer cells in the body and kill the existing ones. Drugs injected or taken orally can travel via the blood stream to all parts of the body to eliminate any cancer cells anywhere in the body.

In radiation therapy, ionized radiations are used to damage the malfunctioning DNA entirely and prevent its further division and hence growth.

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Cancer is a hard to treat disease and therefore it is alarming for the doctor to find cancer cells in his/her patient’s blood.

Living a healthy life can help reduce the risk of developing cancer in later life. Not smoking (active or passive), eating healthy foods composed of large portions of fruits and vegetables and avoiding fatty meat and including an exercise regime to daily routine.

There are many screening test available to detect and monitor cancer cells during the course of the treatment, therefore according to the location and type of cancer, a doctor can suggest any one or more of the diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound imaging, MRI or CT scan.