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Cancer
Mate pukupuku

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer happens when the cells lining the bladder become abnormal and grow into a tumour. The cancer can be in the lining of the bladder or in the deeper layers of the bladder such as the muscle wall.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer develops when abnormal cells in the colon or rectum grow in an uncontrolled way. Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and eventually form a growth (tumour) which can spread within and beyond the breast.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix) is when abnormal cells in the lining of your cervix grow in an uncontrolled way. Your cervix is the entrance to your uterus at the top of your vagina. Cervical cancer develops slowly over time, usually over many years.

Kidney cancer

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of your fist. They sit just below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Kidney cancer (renal cancer) happens when the cells in the kidney become abnormal and grow into a tumour.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood cells that develop in the bone marrow. It makes young blood cells grow and multiply in an abnormal way.

Liver cancer

There are 2 types of liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is when abnormal cells in the liver grow in an uncontrolled way. Secondary liver cancer starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver (metastatic cancer). In Aotearoa New Zealand, secondary liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer begins when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way in one or both lungs.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system — part of your immune system. It makes certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) grow and multiply in an abnormal way.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It can spread throughout the body and is the most serious form of skin cancer.

Mouth cancer

Matepukupuku waha

Mouth cancer (oral cancer) is when a cancer grows in part of the mouth. This can be on the roof of the mouth, the floor of the mouth (under the tongue) or inside the cheeks. It can also be on the tongue, lips or gums.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer that develops in the bone marrow. It causes abnormal plasma cells to build up which crowds out all other types of healthy blood cells.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common type of skin cancer. They tend to appear on skin that has had a lot of sun exposure. Non-melanoma skin cancers can usually be treated successfully and cured.

Oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is when abnormal cells in the oesophagus grow in an uncontrolled way.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer includes tumours of the ovaries (where eggs form and oestrogen and progesterone are made) and tumours in the fallopian tubes and lining of the abdominal cavity.

Pancreatic cancer

The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the stomach. Several tumours can grow in the pancreas. These can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Anyone can be affected by this cancer. It is commonly found in people over the age of 45 years and is slightly more common in Māori and Pacific peoples.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is where cells in a testicle become abnormal and grow into a tumour. This usually starts in the cells that develop into sperm. Testicular cancer affects younger men more than older men.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the thyroid gland a the base of your neck. Most thyroid cancers are curable.

Cancer treatments

There are many ways to treat cancer. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Many cancers can be fully cured, especially if they are found early.