Cancer is a word applied to different types of abnormal, unhealthy cells that grow in an uncontrolled way in the body's tissues. Cancer causes malignant tumors (abnormal growths) and loss of normal body organ function. The cancer cells can metastasize (spread) to nearby organs or can spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to other areas of the body, depending on the type of cancer involved and the severity of the disease. In addition to causing changes in and damaging the area where it started, cancer often causes other symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, anemia (low blood count), pain, weakness, depression, and shortness of breath, and it can be associated with infection. More than 11 million persons in the United States have cancer. Worldwide, more than 12 million individuals are diagnosed with cancer every year.
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