Oregon Hematology Oncology Associates
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Cancer | Blood Disorders | Site Links
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Home | The Path | Get the Basics | Meet our People | Visit Info Center | See our Facilities | Join our Team
Cancer | Blood Disorders | Site Links
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells caused by a series of injuries to certain important genes. These injuries cause a cell to lose its normal ability to have controlled growth, and to mature into a cell that functions normally in the body. As a result of these injuries, cancer cells will grow continually, and do not provide any useful function. Most cancers can spread to other parts of the body, and can cause damage to the parts of the body where they grow. We call the spread of cancer metastasis.
We don't know exactly what causes cancer, but we do know that a number of things can cause the kinds of injury to genes that produce cancer. There are viruses, radiation, possibly other types of energy and chemicals. We are all exposed to these things daily which is why cancer is so common.
There are uncommon forms of cancer that are hereditary, however, most are
not. There are also some families that have more than their share of cancer,
for reasons that are not clear. These families tend to have certain types
of cancer, particularly breast, ovarian, colon in adults, to name a few.
Your doctor can direct you for genetic counseling if appropriate.
©2003 Oregon Hematology Oncology Associates, P.C., Inc. All rights reserved. This site is for educational purposes only and is intended for your general knowledge. It should not be used as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.
