cancer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cancer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical contexts, discussions about health, or when referring to the disease itself. Example: "The doctor explained that early detection of cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One example is the HPV vaccination programme for cervical cancer in Rwanda, enabled by a donation from Merck.

The Guardian

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

To paraphrase one exec, we think cancer can be cured for £15 per annum.

The Guardian - Opinion

MARIA CAULFIELD, 40 TORY, LEWES A nurse at the Royal Marsden hospital in London, where she is a research sister leading a team in breast cancer research, Caulfield is also an owner and shareholder of Lewes football club and a non-executive director of the local housing charity BHT Sussex, which works to prevent homelessness.

The Guardian

Clarkson has since said in his column in the Sunday Times that he had suffered a cancer scare two days before the incident.

The Guardian

The G8 meeting I chaired in Northern Ireland also forged a ground-breaking initiative to stop the true owners of companies hiding behind a veil of secrecy, tackling the cancer of corruption that does so much to destroy countries and increase the risk to our own security.

The Guardian - Opinion

On top of his wife battling cancer, Gerry Adams now faces serious accusations from a former comrade over the McConville killing as well as claims that he played a major role in Bloody Friday, a series of bomb blasts across Belfast in July 1972 that left nine dead and dozens injured.

The Guardian

Some girls started their periods and thought they were dying of cancer.

The Guardian - Opinion

One says: "My mother had cancer, she had several operations and received regular chemotherapy treatments.

The Guardian

In that year and a half when my mother had cancer, we must have given the doctors between 350,000 and 500,000 forints in ready cash".

The Guardian

In the pages of Paris Match he described Marine's betrayal as "like learning that you have cancer".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "cancer", specify the type of cancer if possible (e.g., breast cancer, lung cancer) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Don't assume all cancers are the same. Different types of "cancer" have vastly different prognoses and treatments. Avoid broad statements that don't account for this variability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cancer" is as a noun. It denotes a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Ludwig confirms that it is used in various contexts, frequently as a subject or object in sentences describing medical conditions or research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cancer" is a very common noun used to describe a range of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and business settings. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to be specific about the type of "cancer" when possible. Related terms include "malignancy" and "neoplasm". Understanding the different contexts and nuances of using "cancer" helps ensure clear and accurate communication. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, the term carries significant weight and often requires sensitivity in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malignancy

This is a synonym that highlights the harmful and invasive nature of cancer.

malignant neoplasm

This term offers a more formal and technical way to refer to a cancerous growth.

invasive carcinoma

This is a specific type of cancer that has the ability to spread to other parts of the body.

tumorous growth

This alternative emphasizes the physical manifestation of cancer as an abnormal growth.

neoplastic condition

This term is a more clinical way of referring to the abnormal cell growth associated with cancer.

oncological disease

This phrase situates cancer within the broader field of oncology, the study and treatment of cancer.

advanced stage cancer

This phrase describes cancer that has progressed significantly from its initial development.

carcinogenic process

This phrase focuses on the process by which normal cells transform into cancerous ones.

uncontrolled cell growth

This phrase focuses on the biological mechanism underlying cancer development.

life-threatening tumor

This alternative highlights the severity and potential danger posed by cancerous tumors.

FAQs

How to use "cancer" in a sentence?

You can use "cancer" in sentences to describe the disease itself, treatments, research, or personal experiences. For example: "Early detection of cancer is crucial for successful treatment."

What can I say instead of "cancer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "malignancy", "neoplasm", or "tumorous growth".

Which is correct, "cancer" or "having cancer"?

Both phrases are correct but used in slightly different contexts. "Cancer" refers to the disease itself, while "having cancer" describes a person's condition. For example, "Breast cancer is a common disease" versus "She is having cancer and is undergoing treatment."

What's the difference between "cancer" and "tumor"?

"Cancer" is a general term for diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. A "tumor" is simply a mass of tissue that can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).