Why has the disease cancer got the same name as cancer in astrology?

and also kanker (like a rust on copper coins or copper nails)is very similar to cancer~whats your thoughts on this (apart from thinking im a loony that is)

In astrology I believe cancer is latin? for a crab, the symbol associated with the sign.

Actually, medically, according to this it is an old english term derived from the latin word for crab. Some medical dude associated what cancer is and does with the natural actions of the crab.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cancer

O.E., from L. "a crab," later, "malignant tumor." Greek physician Galen, among others, noted similarity of crabs to some tumors with swollen veins. From Gk. karkinos, which, like the Mod.E. word, has three meanings: crab, tumor, and the zodiac constellation (1391), from PIE base *qarq- "to be hard" (like the shell of a crab); cf. Skt. karkatah "crab," karkarah "hard;" and probably cognate with PIE base *qar-tu- "hard, strong," source of Eng. hard. Meaning "person born under the zodiac sign of Cancer" is from 1894. Cancer stick "cigarette" is from 1959.

Online Etymology Dictionary, 漏 2001 Douglas Harper


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/c...

You know, I was only thinking about this the other day myself. I don't know why I didn't post the question when I had the thought. Let's see if anybody knows.

im a cancer but am always embarrased to tell people this as it can cause mix ups.[im july 3rd]

because cancer spreads in the same way as a crab does( which represents the sign of cancer)

The similarity is because of the way cancer develops.

It basically spreads out in 'claws' that resemble the claws of a crab (hence "cancer" - which in astrology is the crab). It stretches out in a claw-like pattern and spreads through the organ or other part of the body and imbeds itself in the tissue.

Cancer is the Latin word for a Crab. The astrological sign is in the shape of a crab and that is why it is so named.

If one operates on a malignant tumour one often finds a central volume with small extensions moving out from the core. This was thought to have the appearance of a crab with the legs representing the extensions.

Another word for a cancer is a carcinoma (specifically, this is a cancer of a lining), which derives from the Greek word for ... a crab.