Tobacco, alcohol, toxic chemicals, hormones, radiation and some viruses and bacteria are just a few known carcinogens, or things that cause cancer. Carcinogens are everywhere – in the air, in our food and water, and in our workplace. Yet not everyone gets cancer, and if they do, not everyone succumbs to it.

Exactly what is cancer? Human cells are constantly dividing, making replacement cells. Skin, bone, tissue, blood and organs are always in the process of cellular renewal, and this very process is the platform upon which cancer takes hold. Cancer begins when something goes awry in the cell division process. If cellular DNA has been damaged, by exposure to sun, tobacco, and other carcinogens, a type of misfit cell is produced. These misfit cells become what we call cancer, and are unable to function properly. The cancerous cells begin to form a parasitic relationship with their host cells by depleting them of blood and nourishment. As the cancerous cells begin growing, no more healthy cells develop, and a tumor forms.

Not all cancers are the same. Cancers that develop in bone are different than cancers that form in the blood or breast, depending upon the type of cell the cancer began. When cancer spreads, or metastasizes, from one body part to another, it is still called the original type. For example, should breast cancer spread to the liver, it is considered breast cancer that has metastasized to the liver, and is not classified as liver cancer.

Cancer is treated according to its type and severity. Not all cancers respond to all therapies. Treatments available are radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery. In some very slow growing cancers like prostate cancer, depending on the age of the patient, watchful waiting may be the treatment of choice.

Why do some people seem to be immune to cancer? Lifestyle and genetics is the answer. Scientists are not positive why some smokers do not get lung cancer, while others people who never smoke do get the disease. We have to look at genetics. Recently, genes have been discovered that offer protection against some forms of cancer, as well as other genes that make others prone to cancer. A great deal of research is needed to overcome this horrible disease.

What is a Cancer Registrar?
Do you know what a cancer registrar is? Chances are that you do not because cancer registrars represent a very small niche market in oncology healthcare and are usually found working behind-the-scenes.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Awards $1.2 Million for Innovative Breast Cancer Research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University
DETROIT, July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four researchers from Detroit, Michigan's Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University (WSU) will receive a total of $1.2 million from Susan G.

Genomic Health Presents Six New Studies Including Four Oral Presentations in Breast, Colon and Renal Cancers at American Society of Clinical Oncology
CHICAGO, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) today announced the results of six studies being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, including an evaluation of biological similarities and differences between stage II and III colon cancer, suggesting a potential role for the Oncotype DX® colon cancer test in patients with stage III disease, pending further study.