Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an uncontrolled way.
The uncontrolled growth may cause a lump called a tumour to form. On its own a tumour could make an individual quite ill, for example by pressing against nerves, blocking the digestive system or blood vessels, or by releasing hormones that can affect the normal workings of the body.
Should a tumour become malignant and spread to other parts of the body then this becomes more difficult to treat and can make an individual very ill because more parts of the body are affected, sometimes making their life prognosis uncertain.
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