Finding and Surviving Ovarian Cancer

Overview

I know someone with cancer, could you start by explaining what cancer is?

Good question. Please keep asking them as we go along.

Let me explain what cancer is.

Cancer is a disease of cells in your body that become abnormal. Your body contains trillions of cells. Cells are like building blocks for your body. Cells with similar functions form groups within our bodies such as your heart, your brain, and your lungs. Healthy cells keep your body functioning smoothly.

Every day, old cells are dying, and new ones are replacing them. Your body makes new cells when one cell makes identical copies of itself. Sometimes a cell makes a mistake when it copies itself and produces a damaged cell. These damaged cells can divide very rapidly and create a group of damaged cells called a tumor.

Sometimes, damaged cells from a tumor will spread throughout the body. If that spread is not controlled, it can lead to death. This occurs because the tumor interferes with body functions.