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: the ranitidine recall
FDA asked for ranitidine (Zantac) to be pulled after finding an impurity, NDMA, that rose over time. What that decision did and did not mean.
5 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 drug recalls and cancer: nitrosamines
Some blood pressure medicines were recalled over nitrosamine impurities. FDA is clear that patients should not stop taking prescribed medicines.
4 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.
3 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.
4 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.
4 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.
5 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.
3 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 Cancer Is Rising in Younger Adults: What Biological-Aging Research Shows
A plain-language look at new research linking faster biological aging to early-onset cancer, plus US screening ages and early signs to know, based on NCI, USPSTF, and peer-reviewed sources.
6 min read · Beginner
Cancer Basics
Why HIV raises the risk of certain cancers
HIV weakens the immune system, making cancer-causing viruses harder to control. NCI on which cancers are more common with HIV and how treatment has helped.
5 min read · Beginner
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- Carcinogens & Regulation
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- Understanding Report Language
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- What to Expect
- Cancer & Daily Life
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- Cancer on Screen
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- Cancer in Books
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