cancer
noun
ˈkænsə(r) 
ˈkænsər 
1 [uncountable, countable] a serious disease in which growths of cells, also called cancers, form in the body and kill normal body cells. The disease often causes deathlung/breast cancercancer of the bowel/stomachMost skin cancers are completely curable.The cancer has spread to his stomach.Smokers face an increased risk of developing lung cancer.cancer patientscancer research2 [countable] (literary) an evil or dangerous thing that spreads quicklyViolence is a cancer in our society.cancerous ˈkænsərəs ˈkænsərəs 
Usage note: IllnessesBecoming illcatch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(British English) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bugget (British English) ill/(North American English) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(British English) flu/a migrainecome down with a cold/the flu/(British English) flucontract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDSbe infected with a virus/a parasite/HIVdevelop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitishave a heart attack/a strokeprovoke/trigger/produce an allergic reactionblock/burst/rupture a blood vesseldamage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendonBeing illfeel (British English) ill/sick/nauseous/queasybe running (British English) a temperature/(North American English) a feverhave a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(British English) a high temperature/(North American English) a feversuffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorderbe laid up with/(British English) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(British English) flu/a migrainenurse a cold/a headache/a hangoverbattle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholismTreatmentsexamine a patientdiagnose a condition/disease/disorderbe diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophreniaprescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibioticstreat somebody for cancer/depression/shockhave/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancerhave/be given an injection/(British English) a flu jab/(North American English) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-raycure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patientprevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungsbe vaccinated against the flu/(British English) flu/the measles/(British English) measles/polio/smallpoxenhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease