Question 1

What is cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow without normal control. These cells may invade nearby tissues and, in some cancers, travel to other parts of the body. Cancer is not one single illness: its behaviour and treatment depend on where it started, its microscopic type, its stage, its molecular features and the person's overall health. Many cancers are curable, especially when detected early, while others can be controlled for long periods with modern treatment.

Question 2

Is every tumour cancerous?

Accepted Answer

No. A tumour is an abnormal growth, but it may be benign or malignant. Benign tumours do not invade nearby tissues or spread to distant organs, although they can still cause problems because of their size or location. Malignant tumours are cancers and may invade or spread. A scan alone may not reliably distinguish the two; clinical assessment and, when appropriate, a biopsy are used to establish the diagnosis.

Question 3

What is the difference between benign and malignant tumours?

Accepted Answer

A benign tumour generally grows locally and does not metastasise. A malignant tumour can invade surrounding tissue and may spread through lymphatic channels or the bloodstream. Some benign tumours still require treatment if they compress an organ, produce hormones or continue to enlarge. The final classification is usually based on pathology, not simply on symptoms or scan appearance.

Question 4

What causes cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cancer develops after changes accumulate in genes that control cell growth and repair. Tobacco, alcohol, certain infections, ultraviolet or ionising radiation, obesity, ageing, inherited variants and some occupational exposures can increase risk. Often there is no single identifiable cause, and developing cancer is not the patient's fault. Reducing avoidable risks and participating in appropriate screening can lower risk, but cannot prevent every cancer.

Question 5

Is cancer hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Most cancers are not directly inherited. About 5-10% are strongly linked to an inherited harmful genetic variant, while family patterns may also reflect shared environment or several small genetic influences. Features such as cancer at a young age, multiple related cancers in one person, bilateral disease or several affected close relatives may justify genetic counselling. Genetic testing is best chosen after counselling because the correct test and interpretation depend on the family and tumour history.

Question 6

Can cancer spread from one person to another?

Accepted Answer

No. Cancer is not contagious and cannot be transmitted by touching, sharing food, living together or caring for someone. Some infections that increase cancer risk, such as HPV or hepatitis B and C, can be transmitted, but the cancer itself cannot. Family members do not need to isolate from a patient with cancer. Normal supportive contact is safe and valuable.

Question 7

What does cancer stage mean?

Accepted Answer

Stage describes how far a cancer has spread at diagnosis. Depending on the cancer, it may consider the size and local extent of the primary tumour, nearby lymph nodes and distant metastases. Staging systems differ between cancers, so the same stage number does not have the same meaning in every disease. Stage helps guide treatment and discuss prognosis, but it is only one part of an individual patient's outlook.

Question 8

What is the difference between stage and grade?

Accepted Answer

Stage describes the anatomical extent of cancer in the body. Grade describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under the microscope and may indicate how quickly they are likely to grow. A small tumour can be high grade, and an advanced tumour can sometimes be low grade. Both features, together with biomarkers and the patient's health, help determine treatment.

Question 9

What is metastasis?

Accepted Answer

Metastasis means cancer cells have spread from the organ where the cancer began to another part of the body. The new deposit retains the identity of the original cancer; for example, breast cancer in bone is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer. Metastatic disease may be treated with systemic medicines, radiotherapy, surgery or other local procedures depending on the situation. Treatment may control disease, relieve symptoms and sometimes produce long remissions.

Question 10

Does stage IV cancer mean treatment is impossible?

Accepted Answer

No. Stage IV usually means distant spread, but treatment is often possible and worthwhile. The aim may be long-term disease control, symptom relief, preservation of function and extension of life; in selected cancers, cure or exceptionally durable remission may still occur. Expected benefit varies greatly by cancer type, biomarkers, sites of spread and general health. The treatment goal should be discussed openly rather than inferred from the stage number alone.

Question 11

Can cancer return after successful treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, recurrence is possible because a very small number of cancer cells may remain undetectable after treatment. Risk varies widely according to cancer type, stage, biology and response to therapy, and many people never experience recurrence. Recommended follow-up aims to manage treatment effects and identify clinically important problems. New persistent symptoms should be reported, but routine anxiety-driven scans are not always beneficial.

Question 12

Why do people with healthy lifestyles sometimes develop cancer?

Accepted Answer

Healthy habits reduce risk but cannot eliminate it. Ageing, random errors during cell division, inherited susceptibility, infections and exposures that are not recognised may all contribute. A cancer diagnosis should not be viewed as personal failure or punishment. Healthy eating, physical activity, avoidance of tobacco and appropriate vaccination and screening remain valuable before, during and after treatment.

Cancer Information for Patients, Families and Caregivers

Starting Cancer Care

Understanding Cancer Treatment

Side Effects and Treatment Safety

Diet, Daily Life and Wellbeing

Supportive and Palliative Care

Advanced Cancer and Survivorship

Solid Tumours

Blood Cancers

Genetics, Screening and Prevention

Practical Cancer Care

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