Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and repoduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding health tissue, including organs.

Cancer sometimes begins in one part of the body before spreading to other areas. This process is known as metastasis.

More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the UK, the four most common types of cancer are:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Bowel cancer

There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. You can find links towards the bottom of the page to infomration about other types of cancer using the link provided.

Spotting signs of cancer

Changes to your body's normal processes or unusual, unexplained symptoms can sometimes be an early sign of cancer.

Symptoms that need to be checked by a doctor include:

• A lump that suddenly appears on your body
• Unexplained bleeding
• Changes to your bowel habits

But in many cases your symptoms won't be related to cancer and will be causes by other, non-cancerous health conditions.

Read more about the signs and symptoms of cancer.

Reducing your risk of cancer

Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.

For example:

• Health eating
• Taking regular exercise
• Not smoking

Read more about how a health lifestyle can help reduce your chances of developing cancer.

Cancer treatment

Surgery is the first treatment to try for most types of cancer, as solid tumours can usually be surgically removed.

Two other commonly used treatment methods are:

• Chemotherapy - powerful cancer-killing medication
• Radiotherapy - the controlled use of high-energy X-rays

Waiting times

Accurately diagniosing cancer can take weeks or months. As cancer often develops slowly over several years, waiting for a few weeks won't usually impact on the effectiveness of treatment.

The National Institue for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced referral guidelines for suspected cancer.

You shouldn't have to wait more than two weeks to see a specialist if your GP suspects you have cancer and urgently refers you.

In cases where cancer has been confirmed, you shouldn't have to wait more than 31 days from the decision to treat to the start of treatment.

Cancer services

Find local cancer support services

Find specialist cancer hospitals

Find cancer support services for women

You or someone you know may have just been diagnosed, finished treatment, or you may be caring for someone with cancer, or worried about upcoming treatments.

Big C can help you with any questions, concerns and worries; about diagnosis, treatment, as well as those 'what happens next' thoughts.

Wheter you would like to talk in confidence, get practical support, or simply have a calm space, Big C can help.

By calling the freephone number you can talk over any concerns or questions that you may have about cancer, for example:

What can i do after treatment?

What's the best ways to support my loved ones with cancer?

Where can we all get support?

The service runs Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm and on Wednesdays and Fridays 6:00pm until 7:30pm.

Need to talk about cancer? call the free telephone support line: 0800 092 7640

You can also visit the website for more support and information: http://www.big-c.co.uk/

Big C Centre, Norwich

Opening times: Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm (closed weekends and bank holidays)

They are open until 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

The Norwich Big C Cancer Support & Information Centre is a warm and welcoming place for cancer patients, their carers, family and friends. It is somewhere to sit, and reflect, away from the hospital and the clinical envrionment.

Based in the grounds of the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital the Centre offers a variety of cancer related information, a wide range of practical and emotional support; as well as somewhere to relax, with a cup of tea, and the opportunity to talk to the trained Centre staff if needed.

You can call in at any time, and do not need an appointment to speak with Big C about any concerns or problems. They have a fully stocked library of information with leaflets and books to browse or borrow and access to a computer for you to use, as well as free wifi if you'd like to take your own laptop, tablet or smartphone.

All support on ofer is free of charge thanks to the generous donations and support to Big C, Norfolk's Cancer Charity.

Please visit the following web page for more information: http://www.big-c.co.uk/support/big-c-centre-nnuh.aspx