Cancer explained

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of the human body. Our body is made up of lots of different types of cells like bone, skin and blood cells. The body constantly makes new cells to help us grow, replace old cells and heal injuries.

Sometimes this process goes wrong, and the cell becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell keeps dividing, making more abnormal cells.

The abnormal cells can gather together and form a lump called a tumour. There are 2 kinds of tumours:

• Benign tumours are not cancer. They do not spread to other parts of the body.
• Malignant tumours are cancer. They can spread to other parts of the body.

Where can cancer start?

As our body is made up of cells, cancer can start anywhere in the body. Some common places for cancer to start include:

• skin
• bowel
• breasts
• prostate
• lungs.

The place where the cancer first starts is called 'primary cancer'. Sometimes the doctors can’t find where the cancer first started. This is called 'cancer of unknown primary'.

Can cancer spread?

Sometimes cancer cells move to other parts of the body. Cancer that has spread and developed into a tumour somewhere else in the body is called a 'secondary cancer' or 'metastasis'.

How do you get cancer?

Cancer can happen to anybody. Some things put people at a greater risk of getting cancer, including:

• getting older (half of all cancers are diagnosed in people aged 75 or over)
• smoking tobacco
• drinking too much alcohol
• not doing enough exercise
• eating unhealthy food
• being overweight
• too much sun
• family history
• some chemicals and asbestos
• some viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (spread by sex).

Cancer is not contagious. People cannot catch cancer from someone who has it. It is safe to be near someone who has cancer. Find out more about preventing cancer.

How common is cancer?

Cancer is common. Many cancers can be treated by a doctor if they are found early.

Screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancer saves lives because cancer can be found earlier, when it is easier to treat.

For up-to-date data about cancer in Victoria, visit the Victorian Cancer Registry.

How is cancer found (diagnosed)?

Sometimes, doctors find cancer because the person is feeling unwell and has symptoms. Cancer can also be found during routine screening to check your health.

Not everyone with symptoms has cancer. It is important to know what is normal for your body, and to see your doctor straight away if you notice changes like:

• lumps, sores or ulcers that don’t heal
• breast changes – lumpiness, a thickened area, unusual nipple discharge, a nipple that turns inwards, a change in shape or colour, or pain
• skin changes – moles that change shape, size or colour, or bleed
• a cough that won’t go away
• finding it hard to breathe or voice changes
• losing weight without trying
• nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away
• diarrhoea or constipation that doesn’t go away or you can’t explain
• for women, loss of blood from the vagina that is not normal, even if it’s a few spots between periods or after menopause
• blood in your poo or wee
• unexplained pain in the body that does not get better.

What happens if you have cancer?

Cancer won’t go away without treatment. The treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer (how much it has grown and spread). The most common cancer treatments are:

• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• surgery
• immunotherapy.

Your doctor will explain the options available to you. Each person is different; some people have more than one type of treatment.

If the cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. If the cancer can’t be treated, your doctor may give you a treatment to make you feel better (by controlling your symptoms). With these types of treatment, you might feel less pain and have a better life.

Side effects of cancer treatments

All cancer treatments can have side effects. Your treatment team will discuss these with you before you start treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you are experiencing.

Some side effects can be upsetting and difficult, but there is help if you need it. Call Cancer Council Tel. 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter) or contact cancer support to speak with a caring cancer nurse for support.

Living with advanced cancer

Advanced cancer usually means cancer that is unlikely to be cured. Some people can live for many months or years with advanced cancer. During this time palliative care services can help.

Most people continue to have treatment for advanced cancer as part of palliative care, as it helps manage the cancer and improve their day-to-day lives. Many people think that palliative care is for people who are dying but palliative care is for any stage of advanced cancer. There are doctors, nurses and other people who specialise in palliative care.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or another type of treatment. It can help in these ways:

• slow down how fast the cancer is growing
• shrink the cancer
• help you to live more comfortably by managing symptoms, such as pain.

Treatment depends on:

• where the cancer started
• how far it has spread
• your general health
• your preferences and what you want to do.

Ask your doctor about treatment and palliative care services that may help you.

Support for carers, family and friends of someone with cancer

Caring for someone with cancer can be difficult sometimes. If you are caring for someone with cancer, these organisations can help:

• Cancer Council – Information and support line Tel. 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse
• Cancer Council – caring for someone with cancer
• Carer Gateway Tel. 1800 422 737
• Carers Australia
• Carers Victoria Tel. 1800 514 845

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Cancer Council – Information and support line Tel. 13 11 20 (or 13 14 50 for an interpreter) – to speak to an experienced cancer nurse
• Cancer Council – Your guides to best cancer care
• Cancer Council Victoria, My Cancer Guide - Find support services that are right for you.
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024
• Palliative Care Victoria Tel. (03) 9662 9644
• Palliative Care Australia
• National Cancer Screening Register
• BreastScreen Victoria Tel. 13 20 50
• Victorian Cancer Registry