WHAT IS CANCER?

Every part of our body is made up of small units called cells.  These cells are constantly growing, dividing, dying off and being replaced.  This cycle is essential for the human body to function and is very tightly controlled in healthy individuals.

Cancer occurs when a build up of genetic changes cause the body’s cells divide and multiply without control.  Cancerous cells rapidly split and copy themselves which results in many new cancerous cells being formed. This uncontrollable growth causes cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. These cells do not die off as normal cells do, and eventually these accumulating cancer cells form lumps or tumours.

Cancer can occur anywhere in the body and there are many different forms. Each type of cancer will have a unique effect on the body and will cause different symptoms in different people.

In this section we explore subjects like cancer prevention, cancer myths, explore scientific concepts and new avenues we are pursuing in research but all with a focus on cancer.

World Immunisation Week 2022

When we think of vaccines, we usually think about infectious disease, for example, childhood measles or the yearly flu. But vaccines, which stimulate our own immune system to fight disease, have a major role to play in cancer prevention too and it is important understand precisely why.

UV and Protecting Your Skin

People often think it is a hot sun that causes skin cancer but in fact, it is the ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun that is responsible for skin cancers. When the UV index is 3 or above we need to protect our skin. In Ireland, the UV index is usually 3 or above from April to September, so we need to get into the habit of protecting our skin even on a cooler, cloudy day.

Health in our hands

How we can reduce our cancer risk through simple lifestyle changes. Breakthrough Cancer Research and our Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN) partners have developed a useful guide of 12 practical measures we can all take to reduce our risks.

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