Cancer can develop for many different reasons, including age, genetics, infections, environmental exposures, and changes that occur in cells over time. But an important question is: Can lifestyle changes actually reduce the risk of cancer? The evidence says yes, in…
Hearing the words “You have cancer” can be overwhelming. Many patients immediately wonder: “What happens next?” After a cancer diagnosis, treatment usually does not begin with a single decision. Doctors first need to understand exactly what type of cancer it…
If a parent, sibling, or close relative has had cancer, you may wonder: “Does this mean I am more likely to develop cancer?” The answer is: sometimes, but not always. Having a family history of cancer can increase a person’s…
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, one of the first questions they may have is: “Should I receive chemotherapy or immunotherapy?” Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are both important cancer treatments, but they work in very different ways. Chemotherapy uses medicines that…
Finishing cancer treatment can bring relief, but many patients and families have another question: “Can cancer come back after treatment?” Yes, cancer can sometimes return after treatment. This is called cancer recurrence. However, recurrence does not happen to everyone, and…
Hearing the words “Stage 4 cancer” can be frightening for patients and their families. One of the first questions many people ask is: “Does Stage 4 cancer mean there is no hope?” Not necessarily. For many cancers, Stage 4 means…
Cancer treatment has changed significantly over the past few decades. Alongside surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, immunotherapy for cancer has become an important treatment option for certain patients. But what exactly is immunotherapy? How does it work? And can every…
Imagine being able to detect signs of cancer from a simple blood sample—without immediately needing an invasive tissue biopsy. This is the idea behind liquid biopsy, an evolving area of cancer diagnosis and precision medicine. Liquid biopsy uses a blood…
Cancer does not always cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. Some warning signs may be mild, intermittent, or mistaken for stress, ageing, digestive problems, or other common health conditions. Recognizing early warning signs of cancer does not mean assuming…
Cancer has traditionally been associated with older age, but an increasing number of studies are reporting a rise in early-onset cancer, generally defined as cancer diagnosed before the age of 50. A global analysis published in BMJ Oncology found that…