Cancer for Kids

Overview

Something in your body is making you sick. The doctor says it's "cancer." But what is cancer, exactly? Let's learn about it together.

The body's cells

If we could look at you under a microscope, we would see that your body is made up of tiny things we call "cells." Cells make up your skin and muscles and bones. They make up your blood and brain and eyes and hair. Every single part of your body is made up of cells, and each cell has a job to do. They all work together to keep your body running smoothly.

Cancer cells

But sometimes, a cell turns bad. It stops doing its job. It grows out of control, and starts to make copies of itself. When you get a bunch of these bad cells in your body and they make you sick, this is called "cancer." There are many different kinds of cancer, because there are many different kinds of cells in your body.

How we treat cancer

So, how do we treat cancer? Well, it depends on what kind you have. We may give you medicine. We may use special X-rays to fight your cancer cells. You could even have surgery to take the cancer cells out of your body. Your doctor will make a plan just for you. By doing what the doctor says, you can help fight your cancer cells and feel a lot better.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.