Medical dictionary

Index:  What is cancer? What are the different groups of cancer? What are the symptoms? What is cancer staging? What are the most common types of cancer? How is cancer treated? Are cancerous lumps hard or painful? Is cancer genetic? What happens if cancer recurs? What is cancer? Cancer occurs when cells, which are the building blocks of the

What is cancer screening? Cancer screening aims to detect cancers in their early stages and is carried out on people presumed to have no symptoms at all. Early detection improves the chances of treatment being successful and the chances of survival are better too. Some screening tests can prevent cancer from developing entirely, such as cervical screening. What does cancer screening invo

What is cardiac screening? Cardiac screening is the process of testing for possible medical conditions affecting the heart. Screening is often performed before symptoms have manifested to try and catch any possible problems as early as possible. What does cardiac screening consist of/involve? Cardiac screening can involve a number of tests that can give an indication that something is

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition which causes numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand. It is a common condition which occurs due to compression of the median nerve in the wrist, which runs down the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage on the side of the wrist. The nerve controls movement in the thumb, and fingers except the little finger. What are the symp

What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Most cases of cervical cancer are as a result of an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed on through sexual contact with a man or a woman.  There are more than 100 strains of HPV but two

What is child development?Child development is the set of different phases of physical, psychological and social growth that occur from birth until reaching adulthood. In some cases, children may experience problems with their development and may require treatment.  What are the symptoms of child developmental problems?These problems are essentially characterised by a delay in devel

What is chronic diarrhoea?  The term chronic diarrhoea is used for cases in which diarrhoea has lasted for several weeks and is quite often linked to other health issues such as weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, high temperature or fever, or being unable to absorb nutrients.      Diarrhoea is the frequent passage of soft and watery stools. It is

What is a long-term condition? A long-term condition (sometimes known as a chronic condition) is an illness that does not currently have a cure. Instead, treatment aims to manage the symptoms and help the person live the best life possible with their condition. Around 15 million people in the UK have a long-term condition . The most common long-term conditions in the UK include: a

What is a chronic headache?   Chronic headaches, also known as chronic daily headaches, are headaches experienced 15 or more days each month for more than three months duration. Chronic headaches can be different types of headache subtypes, including migraines, tension headaches and hemicrania continua headaches.     Prognosis   Due to the consistency