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Cancer: Psychological and Behavioral Factors
Psychological and behavioral factors influence cancer in several ways. First, these psychological and behavioral factors constitute significant risks of developing cancer. Second, psychological factors affect the likelihood of seeking screenings to detect cancer in its early stages, when treatment is most effective. Third, psychological and behavioral factors influence personal functioning during treatment, which has an impact on treatment outcomes.
Origins and Incidence of Cancers
The American Cancer Society defines cancer as a group of diseases rather than one disorder. The common factor among these diseases is uncontrolled cell growth, which can progress to the point of endangering the host. Alterations of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are the basis for this failure to regulate cell growth, but these gene mutations can originate with either internal or external sources. That ...
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