What is cancer — and why do some cancers form a tumour while others don’t?

Most common cancer types explained

There are more than 100 different types of cancer — but which ones are the most common, and how are they different from one another?In Episode 5 of the How to Speak Cancer podcast, I introduce some of the most common cancer types in clear and accessible language.We look at cancers including:🌸 breast cancer🌸 lung cancer🌸 colorectal or bowel cancer🌸 prostate cancer🌸 skin cancer🌸 blood cancersI explain why cancer is not one single disease, how cancer types are usually named and classified, and why two tumours in the same organ may still behave very differently.This episode is designed for patients, caregivers and anyone who wants to understand cancer terminology without being overwhelmed by medical language.I also mention a MedTalk with Andrea Behrend about breast cancer, in which we discuss different breast tumour types in more detail:▶️ Watch the MedTalk here:https://youtu.be/wV-sEbZcWK4?si=SU5FPMGgEFjudfuZA written blog post accompanies this episode for anyone who prefers to read the information or return to it later:📖 Read the blog:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer---the-blog/common-cancer-types/Please remember that this podcast provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice. Speak with your healthcare team about questions relating to your diagnosis, symptoms or treatment.Get in touch via contact@kathrinkunze.com#CancerTypes #CancerExplained #CancerEducation #BreastCancer #LungCancer #BowelCancer #ProstateCancer #SkinCancer #BloodCancer #Oncology #PatientEducation #HealthLiteracy #MedicalCommunication #HowToSpeakCancer #CancerPodcast

Can Cancer Be Prevented? Early Detection, Screening and How to Reduce Your Risk

Can cancer be prevented? And how can cancer be detected as early as possible?In this episode of the How to Speak Cancer podcast, I explain what cancer prevention and early detection really mean — in clear, accessible language.We look at the difference between prevention, screening and early diagnosis, and discuss practical steps that may help reduce cancer risk. These include avoiding tobacco, protecting your skin from UV radiation, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol and taking part in recommended screening programmes.Cancer prevention is complex, and no single lifestyle choice can guarantee that cancer will or will not develop. Some risk factors, such as age, genetics and family history, are outside our control. However, understanding the factors we can influence can help us make informed decisions about our health.You will also learn why screening recommendations differ depending on age, sex, individual risk and country, and why symptoms should always be checked rather than ignored.For more information about HPV, cancer prevention and vaccination, you can also watch this MedTalks episode:https://youtu.be/XZkHzg4cDSY?si=-taClsp1N6Rd02L4This episode is for patients, caregivers and anyone who wants to understand cancer without complicated medical language.Learn more through the How to Speak Cancer blog and book:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer---the-blog/Please remember: This podcast provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your personal risk, symptoms and screening recommendations.Get in touch via contact@kathrinkunze.com#cancerprevention #earlydetection #cancerscreening #cancerawareness #HPV #medtalkswithkathrin #breastcancer #prostatecancer #lungcancer #skincancer #bloodcancer #cervicalcancer

What are the hallmarks of cancer?

Cancer is often explained in complex terms — but understanding how it behaves can make everything feel a little clearer.In this episode of How to Speak Cancer, we explore the hallmarks of cancer — the key behaviours that make cancer cells different from healthy cells.Instead of focusing on complicated biology, I break it down in a simple, human way — using a garden metaphor to help you visualise what’s happening inside the body.You’ll learn:What the hallmarks of cancer areWhy cancer cells grow, survive, and spread differentlyHow these behaviours guide treatment decisionsWhy understanding this can help you feel more informed and less overwhelmedThis episode is for patients, families, and anyone who wants to better understand the language of cancer — step by step.🌱 Read more on the blog:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer---the-blog/📖 Get the book How to Speak Cancer:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPCPMS3T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LVZ740DZQ3MF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.V93VF1RQct1VeZ9pFuqVxxTZNqZjxsWg3mcJGwzDffYx4kqrnDe8WrlfOQoqinmkfX4eImy6Y1LG0zcL7uk25R_jDsjUZp1bO9GKW2vJD2lclL5MEuUFD_d8B2l8gqjjEzFM1IME1Ba3mi-_G0UWgw._75_gbwcF3bZ1rGWPJbUWuNTbydU7O73oHGHa_WWIkU&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+speak+cancer&qid=1756735370&sprefix=how+to+speak+cancer%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1If this helps you or someone you know, feel free to share it 🤍. If you want to stay tuned for the next episodes, follow me!#HowToSpeakCancer #CancerEducation #HealthLiteracy #PatientEducation #Oncology #MedicalCommunication #PlainLanguage #CancerAwareness

What is cancer — and why do some cancers form a tumour while others don’t?

In this episode of How to Speak Cancer, we take a closer look at one of the most important — and often misunderstood — distinctions: 👉 solid tumours vs. blood cancers Using simple language and visual, garden-based metaphors, I explain: - why some cancers form a lump (tumour)- why others do not- how blood cancers affect the whole system - why understanding all this is so important- and why not every tumour is cancer This episode is designed to help you understand what is happening in the body – without overwhelming medical language. Based on my book How to Speak Cancer, this podcast is part of a mission to make medical communication clearer, more human, and easier to understand for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. ✍🏻 Explore the blog: https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer---the-blog/ [https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer---the-blog/] 📘 Explore the book: https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer/ [https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer/] 📩 Get in touch: contact@kathrinkunze.com If this episode helped you, feel free to follow, share, or leave a review — it helps this message reach the people who need it most. #HowToSpeakCancer #CancerEducation #HealthLiteracy #MedicalCommunication #UnderstandingCancer #Oncology #PatientEducation #CancerAwareness

How to Speak Cancer – The Podcast

Welcome to How to Speak Cancer.This podcast is about making cancer and medical language understandable.My name is Kathrin Kunze. I am a medical communicator, translator, and former healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience. And I created this space because I have seen how overwhelming medical language can be — especially when it comes to cancer.In this podcast, I will explain cancer terms, clinical trials, diagnostics, and treatments in simple, clear language.And I will use everyday metaphors — especially garden metaphors — to help you truly understand what is happening inside the body.This podcast is for:patients,families,and healthcare professionalswho want to communicate more clearly and understand more deeply.Each episode will focus on one concept.Short, simple, and easy to follow.Because understanding cancer should not be complicated.📘 Learn more about the book:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/how-to-speak-cancer/📗 German edition:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/krebs-verstehen---klarheit-in-schwierigen-zeiten/📙 Swedish edition:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/att-tala-om-cancer/📙 Clinical Trials book:https://www.kathrinkunze.com/books/clinical-trials---signed-sealed-recruited/#HowToSpeakCancer #CancerEducation #HealthLiteracy #MedicalCommunication #PatientEducation #Oncology #CancerSupport #UnderstandingCancer