ELI5: cancer

high confidence

March 27, 2026

// explanation

// eli5Cancer is when some cells in your body stop following the rules and grow way too much, like weeds taking over a garden. Your body is made of tiny building blocks called cells that normally grow, do their job, and then stop or die in an organized way. But sometimes cells break and start multiplying without stopping, making a lump called a tumor. These bad cells can even travel to other parts of your body, kind of like seeds blowing in the wind. [1][2][3]

// sources

[1]What Is Cancer? - NCI - National Cancer Institute

Oct 11, 2021 ... Cancer is a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

[2]Cancer - World Health Organization (WHO)

Feb 3, 2025 ... Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms.

[3]Cancer - Wikipedia

Cancer is a group of diseases involving uncontrolled cell growth typically resulting in tumors with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the ...

[4]Cancer - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Nov 19, 2024 ... Find out the basics about cancer, including symptoms, causes and treatments. Learn steps you can take to prevent cancer.

[5]American Cancer Society: End Cancer As We Know It

Dedicated to helping people who face cancer. Learn about cancer research, patient services, early detection, treatment and education at cancer.org.

[6]What is cancer and how does it start? | Cancer Research UKvideo

Video by Cancer Research UK

[7]What Is Cancer? What Causes Cancer & How Is It Treated?video

Video by Cancer Center

[8]What is cancer?video

Video by BBC

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