Cancer is, however, more predominant in males. The older one gets, the greater the chance of getting it. There is hope though. If the tumour is localized, it is easier to remove completely. Recent medical studies show that cancer survival rates are steadily rising, due to better treatments methods and early detection and better awareness in the general public about cancer.
Cancer begins when one cell in the body becomes abnormal or 'mutates'.
This commonly occurs in most people and these cells are usually eliminated by the body's immune system. If the body is under a lot of stress, ill or subjected to substances that alter the cells, such as smoking or smokers, large amounts of alcohol, or some industrial chemicals, then it is fighting a tough battle. The immune system is a well-organized defence mechanism, but like everything else, it can only take so much. As a person ages, the immune system becomes slower to respond to threats. It cannot deliver the punch as well as it could when it was only 18.