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# Cancer

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Cancer refers to two different things. Firstly, cancer is a general term for any of a number of different diseases where some of the body's own cells have been damaged in such a way that they are no longer prevented from splitting, and thus quickly form a tumor or propagate throughout the body. Some cancers may be caused by exposure to radiation or chemicals called carcinogen?s, while the causes of most are unknown. Cancer has become an important problem with the rise in life expectancies; although great progress in treatment has been made, most cancers remain incurable.

Cancer also refers to one of the constellations of the zodiac, the crab. It's small and dim and doesn't look much like what it's supposed to, and is best noted among stargazers as the home of the [beehive cluster]?. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the west, Lynx? to the north and [Canis Minor]? and Hydra? to the south. In Greek mythology, this corresponds to a brave little crab who tried to stop Hercules? from defeating the Hydra? and was squished for his efforts. Because this sign has a name with negative connotations, for a while in the 1980s, people born under this sign were called Moon Children.

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Last edited July 31, 2001 2:22 am (diff)
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