If you have been told you have cancer, or someone you know has, you may be uncertain about what it all means and a bit scared. Finding out a bit more about it can really help.
Although there are over 200 different types of cancer, there are some things they all have in common. This section has a basic overview of what cancer is. You can find more specific information in types of cancer.
Cancer affects 1 in 3 of us in our lifetime. It can affect us at any age, but is most likely to happen when we are old. Over 70% of cancers happen to people who are over the age of 60. But there are some cancers that are more likely to affect younger people than others. For example, leukaemia (a cancer of white blood cells) or osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer).
Cancer starts in cells and to understand what it is, it helps to know about cells, what they are and how they reproduce. This can also help with understanding treatment for cancer and its side effects.
