Cancer Basics
What cancer is, how it starts, and how it spreads — explained simply.
Articles about Cancer Basics
Cancer Basics
Acid reflux medicines and cancer risk: what the ranitidine recall was about
FDA asked for all ranitidine (Zantac) products to be pulled from the market after finding an impurity called NDMA that rose over time. Here is what that decision did and did not mean.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
American Indian and Alaska Native People and Cancer Care
Regional cancer disparities, access barriers, culturally grounded care, and navigation questions for American Indian and Alaska Native people.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Asian American Communities and Cancer
Cancer patterns in Asian American communities, including liver cancer, and why diversity and access matter. Based on NCI resources.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Benign vs. Malignant Tumors
A plain-language explanation of the difference between benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancer) tumors. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Black Americans and Cancer
A plain-language look at cancer disparities affecting Black Americans, why they exist, and steps that can help. Based on National Cancer Institute resources.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Blood pressure medicine recalls and cancer: what the nitrosamine story means
Some blood pressure medicines were recalled after nitrosamine impurities were found. FDA's guidance is clear that patients should not stop taking their prescribed medicines.
5 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Can Cancer Be Cured? Cure vs. Remission
A plain-language look at what 'cure' and 'remission' really mean in cancer, and why doctors often speak carefully about them.
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Cancer Health Disparities: What They Are
What cancer health disparities are, the groups they affect, and why they exist. Based on National Cancer Institute resources.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Cancer in Your 30s and 40s: What's Different
Cancer in younger adults can be missed at first, and it raises issues like fertility, work, and family that need attention alongside treatment.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Carcinoma vs. Sarcoma: What's the Difference?
Carcinomas start in the cells that line organs and skin; sarcomas start in connective tissues like bone, muscle, and fat. Carcinomas are far more common.
3 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Leukemia, Lymphoma: The Main Types
A plain-language guide to the four broad families of cancer named for the kind of cell they start in. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
A plain-language look at common cancer myths—about sugar, contagion, attitude, cell phones, deodorants, and more
7 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Does Cancer Run in Families?
A plain-language look at when cancer is inherited, what a family history means, and when genetic counseling may help. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
3 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Hispanic and Latino Communities and Cancer
Cancer patterns and disparities in Hispanic and Latino communities, and why access matters. Based on National Cancer Institute resources.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
How Cancer Spreads (Metastasis)
A plain-language explanation of how cancer spreads to other parts of the body, why it matters, and what the word 'metastasis' means.
3 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
How Cancers Are Named: A Simple Guide
A plain-language explanation of how cancers get their names — by where they start and the type of cell involved. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
In Situ vs. Invasive Cancer
A plain-language explanation of the difference between cancer that stays in place (in situ) and cancer that has grown into nearby tissue (invasive).
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Is Cancer Contagious? What the Science Says
A plain-language answer to whether cancer can spread from person to person, and the small exceptions involving certain infections.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Metastatic Cancer: When Cancer Spreads
A plain-language explanation of metastatic cancer — how cancer spreads, where it commonly spreads, possible symptoms, and treatment goals
6 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Native American Communities and Cancer
Cancer disparities affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and their causes. Based on National Cancer Institute resources.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander People and Cancer
Why disaggregated cancer data, culturally grounded care, and local navigation matter for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Precancerous Conditions: Cell Changes to Watch
A plain-language explanation of precancerous conditions — changes in cells that are not yet cancer but could become cancer.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Primary vs. Metastatic Cancer: What's the Difference?
The primary cancer is where a cancer first started; metastatic cancer is the same cancer that has spread to another part of the body.
3 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Remission and Recurrence: What They Mean
A plain-language explanation of what remission and recurrence mean after cancer treatment. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
3 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Solid Tumors vs. Blood Cancers
A plain-language explanation of the difference between solid tumors and blood cancers, and why the distinction affects testing and treatment.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Understanding Advanced Cancer
A plain-language look at what advanced cancer means, how it differs from metastatic and end-stage cancer, and the choices people have for care.
5 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Understanding Cancer Grade
A plain-language explanation of tumor grade — how abnormal cancer cells look — and how it differs from stage. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Understanding Cancer Statistics
A plain-language guide to what cancer statistics mean, how they are used, and key figures on the burden of cancer in the United States and worldwide
7 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Are Cancer Clusters?
A plain-language explanation of what a cancer cluster is, why they are hard to interpret, and how health agencies investigate them.
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Are Tumor Markers? A Plain-Language Guide
A plain-language explanation of tumor markers — substances measured in blood or tissue that can give information about a cancer.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Causes a Cell to Become Cancer?
A plain-language explanation of how changes in genes turn a normal cell into a cancer cell, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
2 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Causes Cancer? Understanding Risk Factors
A plain-language look at what raises the risk of cancer, how scientists identify risk factors, and which factors are most studied
5 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Is a Relapse or Recurrence?
A plain-language explanation of what it means when cancer comes back, and the difference between local, regional, and distant recurrence.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Is Cancer of Unknown Primary?
A plain-language explanation of cancer of unknown primary — when cancer is found but doctors cannot tell where it started.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Is Cancer? How It Starts and Spreads
A plain-language explanation of what cancer is, how cancer cells differ from normal cells, and how genetic changes cause cancer
9 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
What Metastatic Cancer Means
A plain-language explanation of metastatic cancer: how cancer spreads, where it commonly goes, what symptoms may occur, and how it is treated.
5 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Why Cancer Explained Is Studying Global Cancer Patterns
Why we look at cancer around the world: to make confusing data clear, reduce fear, highlight prevention and screening, and truly help patients and families.
5 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Why Cancer Is More Common With Age
A plain-language explanation of why cancer risk rises as people get older. Based on the National Cancer Institute.
4 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Why HIV raises the risk of certain cancers
HIV weakens the immune system, which makes it harder to control cancer-causing viruses. NCI describes which cancers are more common in people with HIV and how treatment has changed the picture.
5 min read · Beginner
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