This year has brought a lot of scares.
Between my clients' families, family friends, and even myself, cancer has been a topic that has hit a little too close to home.
There have been tests, appointments, waiting for answers, difficult conversations, and moments of uncertainty.
And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you don't have to be the person diagnosed with cancer for it to affect your life.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided I wanted to write a series about cancer.
Not just breast cancer, but cancer as a whole.
I want to talk about what cancer actually is, what causes it, the different types, the treatments available, and how it affects not only the person going through it but also the people who love them.
Later in this series, I'll share some personal experiences and conversations with women in my life who have faced cancer or the possibility of it.
Some of these conversations will be educational. Some will be emotional. And some might be a little difficult to read.
But I think they're important.
Because cancer isn't just a diagnosis on a piece of paper. It's something that can turn someone's entire world upside down.
And while I wish cancer wasn't something so many of us had to experience, I believe that education, awareness, compassion, and honest conversations matter.
So, let's start at the beginning.
What exactly is cancer, and what causes it?
First, What Is Cancer?
When we hear the word cancer, it's easy to immediately think of chemotherapy, losing hair, hospitals, or someone we love.
But what actually happens inside the body?
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body.
Our bodies contain trillions of cells. Normally, these cells grow, divide, and replace old or damaged cells in an organized process.
But sometimes, that process breaks down.
Damaged or abnormal cells may continue dividing instead of stopping or dying when they should.
Over time, some of these cells can form a mass called a tumor.
But here's something important:
Not every tumor is cancer, and not every cancer forms a solid tumor.
There are two main classifications of tumors:
Benign tumors: Noncancerous growths that do not spread to distant parts of the body, although they can still cause problems depending on their location.
Malignant tumors: Cancerous growths that can invade surrounding tissues and potentially spread elsewhere in the body.
Some cancers, such as leukemia, affect the blood and bone marrow rather than forming a typical solid tumor.
When cancer spreads from its original location to another part of the body, this is called metastasis.
For example, breast cancer that spreads to the bones is still considered metastatic breast cancer, not a new bone cancer.
Research: National Cancer Institute — What Is Cancer?
How Common Is Cancer?
Before discussing the causes, I want to share something that really puts cancer into perspective.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was responsible for nearly 10 million deaths worldwide in 2024.
That's approximately one out of every six deaths worldwide.
Cancer is not one rare disease that affects a handful of families. It's a major health concern affecting communities around the world.
And while those numbers are frightening, there is also progress.
The WHO explains that many cancers can be cured when detected early and treated effectively.
That's one reason education, early detection, and access to medical care matter so much.
Research: World Health Organization — Cancer Fact Sheet, July 2026
So, What Causes Cancer?
This is where things get complicated.
There isn't one single cause of cancer.
Cancer develops because of changes in our DNA, which contains instructions telling our cells how to function.
These changes are sometimes called mutations.
Some happen naturally when cells divide. Others may develop because of environmental exposures, infections, or inherited genetic changes.
The National Cancer Institute explains that cancer-related genetic changes can accumulate over time. Some changes affect the genes that control cell growth, while others interfere with the body's ability to repair damaged DNA.
Let's break down some of the factors that can increase someone's risk.
1. Genetics and Family History
We've probably all heard someone say:
"Cancer runs in my family."
And sometimes, that's true.
Certain inherited genetic changes can increase someone's likelihood of developing specific cancers.
For example, inherited changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, among others.
But here's something I want people to understand:
Having a family history of cancer doesn't mean you're guaranteed to develop it. And having no family history doesn't mean you're safe from it.
The National Cancer Institute explains that cancer is a genetic disease, but that does not mean all cancers are hereditary.
There's a difference between genetic changes that develop during someone's lifetime and inherited genetic changes passed down through families.
Most cancers develop from changes acquired over time rather than from an inherited cancer syndrome.
And even someone who inherits a cancer-related genetic change may never develop cancer.
Research: National Cancer Institute — The Genetics of Cancer
2. Environmental Exposures
Our surroundings can also play a role.
Certain substances and exposures have been linked to increased cancer risks, including:
Tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke
Excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds
Asbestos
Certain workplace chemicals
Air pollution
Some forms of ionizing radiation
According to the WHO, tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of cancer worldwide.
In fact, a 2026 analysis by the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that 15% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were attributable to tobacco use.
That's a significant number.
But here's something else worth understanding.
Exposure to a cancer-causing substance doesn't mean someone will automatically develop cancer.
Risk depends on several factors, including the type of exposure, how much exposure occurs, how long it lasts, and individual susceptibility.
Research: WHO — Four in Ten Cancer Cases Could Be Prevented Globally, February 2026
3. Lifestyle Factors
This is a subject I want to approach carefully.
Research has connected certain lifestyle factors to increased cancer risks.
These include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, and insufficient physical activity.
In February 2026, the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer released a major global analysis examining 36 cancer types across 185 countries.
Researchers estimated that approximately 37% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were linked to potentially preventable causes.
That's roughly 7.1 million cases.
This tells us that prevention can make a real difference.
But I want to make something very clear.
Cancer is not automatically the result of someone making bad choices.
Someone can exercise, eat nutritious meals, never smoke, and still develop cancer.
Someone else may have multiple risk factors and never receive a cancer diagnosis.
Reducing risks matters, but it doesn't give us complete control over what happens inside our bodies.
And I think that's something people sometimes forget when discussing cancer.
Those statistics are about populations, not a way to determine why one particular person developed cancer.
Research: International Agency for Research on Cancer — Global Cancer Prevention Analysis, 2026
4. Viruses and Infections
Did you know certain infections can increase the risk of cancer?
For example:
HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause cervical cancer and several other cancers.
Hepatitis B and C can increase the risk of liver cancer.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria, can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
The WHO estimates that approximately 10% of cancers diagnosed worldwide in 2022 were attributable to cancer-causing infections.
That's one reason recommended vaccinations, appropriate screening, and treatment of certain infections can be so important.
And no, having one of these infections does not automatically mean someone has cancer or will develop it.
Research: World Health Organization — Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
5. Aging and Random Cell Changes
As we get older, our cells have had more time to accumulate genetic changes.
Our bodies have systems that help repair damaged DNA or remove abnormal cells, but those systems aren't perfect.
Sometimes, mutations happen simply because cells make mistakes while dividing.
According to the National Cancer Institute, these genetic changes often accumulate over many years, which helps explain why cancer becomes more common with age.
But cancer can also affect children and younger adults.
There may be no obvious environmental exposure, no inherited cancer syndrome, and no single identifiable reason.
Sometimes, we simply cannot explain why one person develops cancer and another doesn't.
And that uncertainty can be one of the hardest things to accept.
Research: National Cancer Institute — How Cancer Develops
Can Cancer Be Prevented?
Some cancers can be prevented, and the risk of others can be reduced.
We can take steps such as:
Avoiding tobacco and secondhand smoke
Protecting our skin from excessive sun exposure
Limiting or avoiding alcohol
Staying physically active
Maintaining a healthy diet
Receiving recommended HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations
Discussing appropriate cancer screenings with healthcare professionals
Screenings are especially important because certain cancers can be found before symptoms develop.
Some screenings can even detect precancerous changes that can be treated before cancer develops.
For example, the National Cancer Institute explains that cervical cancer screening can identify abnormal cervical cell changes before they become cancerous.
But prevention is not a guarantee.
And I think there's a difference between encouraging people to take care of themselves and making someone feel responsible for developing a disease.
Nobody deserves cancer.
Not the person who smoked for 40 years.
Not the person who never touched a cigarette.
Not the person who has a family history.
Not the person who has no known risk factors.
Nobody.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Cervical Cancer Screening
Why Isn't There Just One Cure for Cancer?
This is probably one of the biggest questions surrounding cancer.
With all our technology, medical advancements, research, and knowledge, why haven't we found one cure?
The answer is that cancer isn't just one disease.
There are more than 100 types of cancer, and even cancers that develop in the same organ can behave very differently.
According to the National Cancer Institute, each person's cancer can have its own combination of genetic changes.
Even cells within the same tumor can have different genetic characteristics.
Think about that for a second.
Two people could be diagnosed with breast cancer, yet their cancers might behave differently and require completely different treatment plans.
Some cancers can be cured, especially when caught early. Others can be controlled for years, and some remain extremely difficult to treat.
There isn't one treatment that works for every cancer or every person.
Researchers continue developing better ways to detect, treat, and sometimes prevent cancers.
Some newer treatments target particular genetic changes in cancer cells, helping doctors choose therapies based on the characteristics of the cancer.
And that's why understanding the differences between cancers matters so much.
We'll talk more about treatments later in this series.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Cancer Biology and Genetic Changes
Something I Want Everyone to Remember
Cancer doesn't always come with a clear explanation.
Sometimes there are warning signs.
Sometimes there aren't.
Sometimes someone has every known risk factor.
Sometimes someone has none.
And sometimes the person who appears to be the healthiest person in the room is the one who hears those words:
"You have cancer."
I think it's important that we stop looking at a cancer diagnosis as something someone must have done to themselves.
Instead, we should be asking how we can educate ourselves, support research, encourage preventive care, and show compassion toward the people facing it.
Because behind every diagnosis is a person.
Someone's mother, father, child, spouse, grandparent, sibling, friend, or coworker.
A person whose life is so much bigger than a diagnosis.
Coming Next: Understanding HER2 and Other Cancer Biomarkers
Next Thursday, October 15, we'll talk about something many people have heard mentioned but may not fully understand:
HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer.
We'll also discuss hormone receptors, triple-negative breast cancer, and why two people with breast cancer may need completely different treatment plans.
Until then, remember that education creates awareness, and awareness can help us make more informed decisions about our health.
With love,
Kayla
Kayla Cares LLC
Educational Disclaimer
This blog is intended for general educational and awareness purposes only. I am not a physician, and this information should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak with your healthcare provider about personal cancer risks, screenings, symptoms, and medical concerns.
Research Sources and Further Reading
The educational information and statistics in this article are supported by the following medical and public-health sources:
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — What Is Cancer?
Explains abnormal cell growth, benign and malignant tumors, metastasis, genetic changes, and cancer biology.National Cancer Institute (NCI) — The Genetics of Cancer
Explains inherited genetic changes, acquired mutations, and how DNA changes contribute to cancer.National Cancer Institute (NCI) — Risk Factors for Cancer
Reviews known cancer risk factors and explains why an individual cancer's cause often cannot be identified.World Health Organization (WHO) — Cancer Fact Sheet, July 2026
Provides global cancer statistics, major risk factors, prevention information, and early detection guidance.WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — Four in Ten Cancer Cases Could Be Prevented Globally, February 2026
Reports findings from a global analysis of 36 cancer types in 185 countries.Fink H. and colleagues, Nature Medicine (2026) — Global and Regional Cancer Burden Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors to Inform Prevention
Peer-reviewed research underlying the 2026 global prevention estimates.National Cancer Institute (NCI) — Cervical Cancer Screening
Explains how screening can identify precancerous cell changes and help prevent cervical cancer.
