General cancer

At least one in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their lives.

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.

This cluster of abnormal cells is called a tumour. Some tumours are benign and often don't need treatment. But malignanttumours - the cancers - can spread. They invade other tissues and can spread throughout the body, where they can form new groups of abnormal cells, called secondary growths.

What causes cancer in the first place, and how quickly the cells grow and spread, is different from person to person. There are more than 200 types of cancer.

But what should be remembered is that a large number of people with cancer overcome the disease and live fulfilled lives for many years.

You can find further information on cancer and information on living with cancer on the NHS Choices website.

You can also visit the NHS Choices website for information on cancer support groups in your area