Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.  The causes of cancer are complex and can include genetic mutations, exposure to carcinogens, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and certain infections. Risk factors for cancer can include age, family history, exposure to radiation or chemicals, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Some cancer cells make energy from nutrients in a different way than most normal cells. This lets cancer cells grow more quickly. Many times, cancer cells rely so heavily on these abnormal behaviors that they can’t survive without them. Researchers have taken advantage of this fact, developing therapies that target the abnormal features of cancer cells. For example, some cancer therapies prevent blood vessels from growing toward tumors, essentially starving the tumor of needed nutrients.