First of all, I'm happy you're healthy now and hope you never have to deal with cancer again.
As for myself, the closest people to me who had cancer was one of my friends' mother and a classmate. They're both good now.
Although since I'm studying to be a doctor I'll probably see quite a few more in the next years.
Griffolion said:
By the way, I get that cancer is basically the over-reproduction of cells at an uncontrollable rate, causing tumours. But what's the mechanism of tumour to ill health? What is it about the tumour that causes the bad things? I can understand a brain tumour putting pressure on the brain which is incredibly sensitive. But what about other areas, what does it actually do?
Cancer isn't really just a ball of cells that grows and expands. Actually, benign tumours do that more often. Malign tumours invade the surrounding tissues, destroys adjacent structures, and if left for long enough, can spread through the blood or lymphatic vessels are create secondary tumours. It can cause trouble because if interferes with an organ's function, or because it gets to a vessel and ruptures it, making it bleed. Some tumours produce substances, causing other symptoms. For example, a tumour that releases huge amounts of adrenalin will make your heart beat too fast and your blood vessels constrict, making your blood pressure go through the roof.