About cancer

Finding out about cancer

• A-Z of cancer types

• What is cancer?

• Cancer referrals

• Reducing the risk

• Symptoms, detecting a cancer

• Behind the headlines (latest cancer information in the news)

• Healthtalkonline (share in other people's experience of cancer)

Cancer is a disease in which some cells in the body grow in an uncontrolled manner. Cells normally divide in a controlled way, but abnormal cells keep on dividing.

What causes cancer in the first place, and how quickly the cells grow and spread, is different from person to person.

Some patients want to know everything they can about their cancer, others want to know just a little. This website aims to help you find good quality information of all types.

It should be remembered is that a large number of people with cancer overcome the disease and live fulfilled lives for many years. Improving survival rates are due to factors such as screening, early diagnosis and improved treatments.

This glossary, produced by Cancer Research UK, provides explanations for common terms associated with cancer and cancer care.

In the below video, people who have been through cancer treatment talk about what kept them going and the practicalities of treatment.