Cancer — Diagnosis & Treatment Videos

What is cancer, in simple terms?

Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Unlike normal cells, they can invade surrounding tissue and sometimes spread through the blood or lymph system to distant parts of the body.

Does every lump or tumour mean cancer?

No. Many growths are benign — they do not invade tissue or spread. Because some are not, new or changing lumps are usually checked, sometimes with imaging or a biopsy, so the cause is known rather than guessed.

How is cancer diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually combines examination, imaging (such as ultrasound, CT or MRI), blood tests and, most definitively, a biopsy — examining a small tissue sample under a microscope to identify the exact type.

Can cancer be treated?

Many cancers can be treated, and outcomes are generally better the earlier a cancer is found. Treatment depends on the type and stage and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal or targeted medicines — often in combination.