Cancer

We have a wealth of information for anyone affected by cancer. Find out about types, causes, symptoms and treatments.

Cancer - an overview

What causes cancer? What are the different types? And how is it treated? The answers to these questions and more in our overview of cancer.

Common cancer words

Medical terms can be confusing so we’ve put together a list of some common cancer terms with explanations of what they mean.

See the list

How cancer develops

Your body is made up of many different types of cells that form your tissues and organs. These cells normally grow and divide in a controlled way. This is how your body grows and repairs itself. However, cancer cells don’t stop dividing – they carry on growing. Often they form lumps, called tumours. Watch our video for more info...

How cancer develops

Staying healthy...

Healthy eating

Healthy eating is especially important if you have cancer. Take a look at our tips to help make sure you're eating as well as you can.

See the tips

Healthy mind

Dealing with your emotions is an important part of your treatment and recovery. We explain how you can work through them.

Learn more

Making adjustments...

Adjusting after your treatment

A cancer survivor is somebody who lives with or beyond their cancer.

Learn more

Coping with cancer at work

Questions to ask your employer and tips to help keep you working.

Find out more

Coping with cancer at home

You will probably have to make at least some changes to your day-to-day activities.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy means using medicines to kill cancer cells. People often shorten the word to ‘chemo’.

Booklets for children

Created with the advice of cancer specialists and families affected by cancer, this set of four illustrated booklets will help explain cancer to children aged seven to 11, clearly and sensitively. Click on the links below to read or download any of the booklets in the series.

What does it mean?
Visiting hospital
Life at home
Activity book

What does it mean?

This booklet explains what cancer is and explores some common worries and feelings that children may have - reassuring them that however they react, it’s ok.

View and download here >

Visiting hospital

Types of treatment are explained in clear language, and we meet some of the health professionals who are doing everything they can to help people with cancer get better.

View and download here >

Life at home

This booklet looks at some of the side-effects of different types of cancer treatments. It also offers ideas for small ways children may like to help out at home.

View and download here >

Activity book

This magazine gives kids something to do while they’re visiting the hospital, or if they want to keep their mind occupied at home.

View and download here >

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This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.

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Cancer

Cancer - an overview

Common cancer words

How cancer develops

Staying healthy...

Healthy eating

Healthy mind

Making adjustments...

Adjusting after your treatment

Coping with cancer at work

Coping with cancer at home

Chemotherapy

You can find more information about different types of cancers and their treatments in our A-Z below

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B

C

E

G

H

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

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W

Booklets for children

What does it mean?

Visiting hospital

Life at home

Activity book

About our health information

Information Standard

HONcode

Legal disclaimer