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Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells divide without control. As their numbers increase, they can form a lump called a tumour. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
In Singapore, cancer is the major cause of death, accounting for about 26% of all deaths in 2003. While cancer can affect anyone, 38% of cases occurred in patients aged from 35 to 64 years old.
The most common cancers affect the breast, the colon and the lung. While some risk factors are beyond your control --your age and family history of cancer, for instance--, there is still much you can do to reduce your risk. |