Definition of Cancer; Know Your Risks; Southern Nevada Health District

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Cancer

Definition

Cancer is a general term for more than 100 diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. The resulting mass, or tumor, can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissues. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to start new cancers in other parts of the body.

The following are estimates for 2008 rates of cancer deaths by type for top cancers in all ages:

Male	Female
Lung 30%	Lung 26%
Prostate 9%	Breast 15%
Colon and rectum 9%	Colon and rectum 9%
Pancreas 6%	Ovary 5%
Leukemia 4%	Pancreas 6%
Esophagus 4%	Leukemia 3%
Liver 4%	Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 4%
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 3%	Uterine 3%
Bladder 3%	Liver 2%
Kidney 3%	Nervous system (brain included) 2%

Resources

The American Cancer Society has more information on cancers related to both men and women.

Download Cancer Facts for Men and/or Cancer Facts for Women to learn more.

The Nevada Cancer Institute has published Cancer Fact Sheets PDF (448 KB), which has information on breast, skin, colon, prostate and cervical cancer. Also available are the Cancer Fact Sheets En Español PDF (456 KB).