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      • View 45 other cancers
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  • Home
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  • Understanding cancer

Understanding cancer

Cancer is not one disease, but many. It’s the name given to more than 200 different conditions, each with its own name and treatment.

Learn more about cancer, how it starts and spreads, the different types, how to reduce your risk, and more.


What is cancer?

Learn how cancer starts and how cancer spreads.

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Types of cancer

Find out more about the different cancer types, their diagnosis, their treatment, and more.

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How common is cancer?

Facts and figures about cancer in NSW.

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Cancer risk factors

Evidence shows that up to one‑third of cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices.

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Cancer screening and early detection

One of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of cancer is to screen regularly and detect early.

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Genetics and cancer

If someone in your family gets cancer, should you get tested? Can genetic tests show if you will get cancer? We answer these questions, and more.

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What does this word mean?

Our glossary explains common cancer terms in everyday language.

Read more

The Thing About Cancer

Listen to our podcast for people affected by cancer.

Listen now

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Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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© Cancer Council NSW 2021. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. ABN 51 116 463 846. Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.