What Is Cancer ?

Cancer is an abnormal reproduction of cells. Normal cells reproduce throughout our lives, to replace those that are worn out, to repair injured ones and to allow growth of the body in a controlled and orderly way.

Changes in cellular tissue cause certain cells to grow, divide, and reproduce in an uncontrolled way - much more rapidly than normal cells - and eventually produce a lump, known as a tumour. A tumour can either be benign or malignant. A benign tumour remains confined to one area and the cells are not cancerous. A malignant tumour may spread its cells to other parts of the body.

As the tumour grows, the cells invade surrounding tissues and can also be carried via the blood and lymphatic system to other areas, where new growths, known as metastases, may develop.

Once cancer is diagnosed, by analysis of cells taken from the tumour, orthodox treatment normally involves surgery to remove the tumour and the area around it, radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells, or chemotherapy using drugs to kill the cancer cells. One or all of these treatments may be used at any one time.

Unfortunately both radiotherapy and chemotherapy not only destroy cancer cells, they also affect the white blood cells in the body, the mainstay of the immune system necessary for the body to fight off disease, including cancer.

Proper nutrition can help you  prevent cancer. There are cancer fighting foods and herbs which you can add to your daily regime. For cancer patients effective nutritional strategies will give them a higher chance of survival.