Cancer happens when there is an abnormal change to the body cells.

Our human body is a combination of different types of cells. Each cell produces a signal instructing how much and often a cell should be divided ensuring that sufficient cells are produced to keep the body healthy. Abnormality to the cell occurs when right signal has not been sent, causing it to divide and multiply too much. Tumours are either benign or malignant. Benign tumours are not cancerous and neither do they spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumours conversely have the ability to grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Medical oncologist – a physician/doctor who specializes in cancer treatment using chemotherapy or other medications can be described as a medical oncologist.

Surgical oncologist – a physician/doctor who specializes in cancer treatment by performing biopsies and removing the tumor and underlying affected tissues with the aid of surgery can be described as a surgical oncologist.