Cancer explained simply — what it is, how it develops, common types in India, and what puts you at risk.
Our body is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die in a controlled, orderly way. Cancer begins when some cells start to grow out of control — dividing when they shouldn't, not dying when they should, and eventually forming a mass called a tumor.
Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors stay in one place and don't spread. Malignant tumors (cancer) can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body — a process called metastasis.
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the body, and there are more than 100 different types of cancer.
Grow, divide, and die in a controlled way
Grow uncontrollably and can spread
A mass of abnormal cells — benign or malignant
Cancer spreading to other body parts
Something damages the DNA — tobacco, radiation, chemicals, viruses, or random errors.
The damaged cell ignores 'stop' signals and starts dividing abnormally.
A mass of abnormal cells forms — may be localized with no symptoms initially.
Cancer invades nearby tissue and travels through blood/lymph to other body parts.
Key Insight
Cancer takes months to years to develop. This is why screening and early detection are so powerful — catching it early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective.
The most common cancer among women in India. Most cases are treatable when detected early.
Very common due to high tobacco and betel nut use. Appears as ulcers, white/red patches.
Closely linked to smoking and air pollution. Leading cause of cancer death in India.
Caused by HPV — preventable through vaccination and Pap smears.
Rising due to changing food habits. Colonoscopy screening can detect and prevent it.
Stomach, liver, thyroid, blood cancers, and skin cancers are also prevalent in India.
Having a risk factor doesn't mean you will get cancer — but knowing them helps you make better choices.
#1 preventable cause of cancer.
Increases risk of liver, mouth, throat cancers.
Processed and high-fat foods increase risk.
Raises risk of colon, breast cancer.
Inherited mutations like BRCA1/2.
HPV, Hepatitis B/C, H. pylori.
Asbestos, chemicals, air pollution.
Risk increases with age.
Explore early warning signs, prevention tips, and screening guidelines.