What is Cancer?

I've compiled thoughts on cancer from several different sources including books and brochures.

"Cancer is a general term for more than 100 diseases characterized by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells.

The cells in your body are constantly dividing and multiplying to replace old, damaged cells. Sometimes, cells began to divide unnecessarily, forming excess tissue known as a tumor. In most cases, tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.

Malignant, or cancerous tumors, can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissue. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread through the blood stream or lymph system to start new cancers in other parts of the body. When cancer spreads from its original site, the process is known as metastasis.

In the United States, over 1.2 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year, with half of them occurring in the lung, prostate, breast, colon and rectum. Cancer can strike at any age, although it is most common in people over 50."
Source: Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Institute

"No two people respond in the same way. You can't compare one case with another. Even cancer statistics are not very helpful in predicting what will happen. Statistics look at averages of large groups of people. Your doctor is the best person to help you understand your cancer."
Source: Alere Brochure

"There are studies on the activities of immune cells (including NK cells and white blood cells targeted against cancer cells) show that they are at their best when our diets are healthy, our environment is "clean," and our physical activities involve the entire body (not just our brains and our hands). Immune cells are also sensitive to our emotions. They react positively to emotional states characterized by a sense of well-being and a feeling we are connected to those around us. It's as if our immune cells mobilize all the better when they are in the service of a life that is objectively worth living."
Source: Anticancer: A new way of life.

Cancer can attack your body, but don't let it take your heart, mind and soul.

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27