Cancer in the context of
medicine is a general term for any of a number of different diseases where some of the body's own
cells have been damaged in such a way that their division, forming new cells, is no longer controlled (see
apoptosis). The resulting cells can form a
tumor (a
neoplasm) or propagate throughout the body. Some cancers are caused by exposure to
radiation or chemicals called
carcinogens; others have genetic or infectious causes; the causes of most are unknown. Cancer has become an important problem with the rise in life expectancy. Though great progress in treatment has been made, many cancers remain incurable.
Forms
The term cancer is very broad and covers many different illnesses including:
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- [Breast cancer]?
- [Skin cancer]?
- [Cervical cancer]?
- [Prostate cancer]?
- [Colon cancer]?
- [Ovarian cancer]?
- [Testicular cancer]?
Treatments
- See also: Oncology? -- Oncogene -- Tumor suppressor gene
Cancer in
astrology to one of the
constellations of the
zodiac, the crab. It's small and dim and doesn't look much like a crab, and is best noted among stargazers as the home of the [beehive cluster]
?. It lies between
Gemini to the west and
Leo to the east,
Lynx to the north and
Canis Minor and
Hydra to the south. In
Greek mythology, this corresponds to a brave little crab who tried to stop
Hercules from defeating the
Hydra and was squished for his efforts. Because this sign has a name with negative connotations, for a while in the
1980s, people born under this sign were called
Moon Children.
In some cosmologies, Cancer is associated with the Classical Element Water, and thus called an Earth Sign (with Scorpio and Pisces).
Its polar opposite is Capricorn.
- See also: Zodiac signs : Aries -- Taurus -- Gemini -- Cancer -- Leo -- Virgo -- Libra -- Scorpio -- Sagittarius -- Capricorn -- Aquarius -- Pisces
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