Term: Cancer

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-02-15

Definition:

Cancer refers to a collection of diseases related to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. This growth may result in tumours, which can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors may attack other body tissues and/or spread throughout the body (metastatis). Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and can have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start.

For more clinical information, see Medline® – Health Topics – Cancer.

Related concepts 

• Adult Immunizations
• Overview of the Manitoba Cancer Registry and Treatment Data

Related terms 

• Breast Cancer Incidence
• Cancer Incidence by Site (Top 10 Cancers)
• Cervical Cancer Incidence
• Colorectal Cancer Incidence
• Invasive Cancer

Links 

• CancerCare Manitoba: Cancer Incidence and Mortality Statistics

References 

• Brownell M, Lix L, Ekuma O, Derksen S, Dehaney S, Bond R, Fransoo R, MacWilliam L, Bodnarchuk J. Why is the Health Status of Some Manitobans Not Improving? The Widening Gap in the Health Status of Manitobans. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2003. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Martens PJ, Fransoo R, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Jebamani L, Burchill C, Black C, Dik N, MacWilliam L, Derksen S, Walld R, Steinbach C, Dahl M. The Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas: Population-Based Comparison of Health and Health Care Use. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2003. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)

Term used in 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, Prior H, Chateau D, McDougall C, Schultz J, McGowan K, Soodeen R, Bailly A. Adult Obesity in Manitoba: Prevalence, Associations, and Outcomes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2011. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Garland A, Fransoo R, Olafson K, Ramsey C, Yogendran M, Chateau D, McGowan K. The Epidemiology and Outcomes of Critical Illness in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)