WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of body tissue anywhere in a person's body. This growth interferes with the way your body normally functions.

There are many kinds of cells that make up the tissue in a human body. Cells make new cells by dividing. Some cells stop dividing when you become an adult. Other cells constantly divide, such as those of your skin, hair and blood. Some divide only if there has been damage somewhere in your body. They "turn on" only until the damage has been repaired. Cancer tissues have lost their ability to "turn off" their growth. They eventually crowd out healthy tissues, disrupting your body's ability to do what it needs to do.

There are over 100 different kinds of cancer. Many people will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that almost half (4 in 10) of them will be cured for at least five years.
Your chances of being cured increase greatly with getting an early, accurate diagnosis, and then quickly starting treatment.

The most common ways of treating cancer are with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. These can be used alone or in combination.
There are new therapies being developed every day by researchers looking for better options for cancer patients. Research is also being done in the area of preventing cancer.

DIAGNOSING CANCER

Cancer can be a life-threatening disease. The sooner it is found, the more likely it can be cured. Different kinds of cancer are treated in different ways, so it's very important to carefully identify the specific type.

A diagnostic evaluation for cancer seeks to find the signs or symptoms suggestive of that disease. The evaluation is used to determine the existence of and extent of the disease. To know for sure if a person has cancer, their cells, suspicious growths, or affected tissue must be examined under a microscope. This is done by a pathologist, a doctor who specializes in looking at diseased cells.
The person must first have these cells removed from their body. This is called a biopsy. It is usually done by a physician who specializes in diagnosing cancer. It can often be done in a doctor's office and may not require surgery. Additional tests such as CT scans, MRIs, and various X-rays are sometimes needed to help determine the extent of the cancer. In cases where tests do not give your doctor enough information, exploratory surgery may be necessary.

Cancer is often found when a person feels a lump in their body or sees a suspicious growth on their skin. Sometimes it is found by routine cancer screening methods such as having a mammogram for breast cancer, a Pap smear for cervix cancer, or a rectal exam for colon and prostate cancers.
In the case of blood cancers such as leukemia, tumors are not produced, so the person must have other symptoms that send them to their doctor. Examples of other symptoms are weakness, fever, or bleeding. At this time a special blood test is done, and the person's bone marrow must be tested.
The chances of curing cancer increase with early and accurate detection. Treatment should be started as soon as a diagnosis is reached, in order to stop the rapid growth of cancer cells.

IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION

Cancer is a major cause of illness and death in the U.S. About 500,000 people die of cancer each year in the United States. As many as 35 percent of all cancer deaths could be avoided through early detection with screening.

Screening is a means of finding early cancers in people who have no symptoms. Examples include cervical Pap smears, manual breast exams, fecal blood tests, and sigmoidoscopies. In many kinds of cancer, by the time that there are symptoms, the cancer is too far advanced to get a cure. Screening helps to sort out persons at high risk for cancer. To be most useful, the screening test must detect cancers before symptoms would cause a person to seek care. Also, there must be evidence that early treatment would lead to an improved outcome. There are some cancers where screening does not appear to be useful.

After a positive cancer screening, more diagnostic tests are done. These tests may include imaging procedures, biopsies and laboratory work. It is important to follow up any positive screening with a full diagnostic work-up.

Some individuals are known to be at high risk for cancer. High risk factors include:

If you have been told that you are a high risk for a specific cancer, ask your healthcare provider what steps you need to take. The sooner a cancer is discovered, the better the outcome. The progression of cancer will determine the likely survival time or rate of cure.

See your healthcare provider for advice about your cancer risk factors, and how often you should have screening exams.

CAN YOUR DIET PREVENT CANCER?

It is difficult to measure the impact of diet in preventing cancer. There is some evidence that diet is a factor in some cancers. While the relationship between cancer and diet is not well understood, it makes common sense to eat a well- balanced and nutritious diet of healthy food sources.
Follow these diet tips to reduce your risk of cancer:

Ask your healthcare provider about vitamin and mineral supplements. These can be expensive, and with a balanced diet may not be necessary. By eating a healthy diet you may decrease your risk of cancer, as well as your chances of heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses.

BLADDER CANCER

Bladder cancer causes tumors, or abnormal growths, of cells to occur in the bladder. It is a significant cause of illness and death. Bladder cancer occurs most often in white males over age 65.
Risk factors include:

Blood in the urine can be an early sign of bladder cancer. While this symptom may be due to other causes, it is important to see your healthcare provider for evaluation anytime blood occurs. Other symptoms may be increased frequency and pain with urination.

When blood is seen in the urine by the patient, or under the microscope, and there is no sign of infection, doctors may order another test called a cystoscopy. This is done with a cystoscope, a slender scope with a light. The scope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra, the tube that leads to the bladder. The bladder walls can then be seen through the scope.

Surgery is the most common treatment for bladder cancer. It can be used alone or combined with other treatments. When the cancer has progressed through the wall of the bladder, chemotherapy, or radiation may be used before surgery to improve the results.

The 5-year survival rate for bladder cancer is over 90 percent, when it is detected early. If you work in a high risk profession such as the tire, dye, or leather industries there may be an on-site screening program available. If you are over 65, smoke, or have been exposed to carcinogenic chemicals on the job, ask your doctor for advice on how to lower your risk of developing bladder cancer. If blood appears in your urine, see your healthcare provider right away.

BREAST CANCER

Almost one-third of all new cancers in women are breast cancers. It is the most common cause of cancer in women. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include changes in the breast, such as:

The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Forty-eight percent of new breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 65. In addition, the risk is higher in women who have the following conditions:

The best opportunity for reducing death from breast cancer is through early detection. If breast cancer is found early, before it can spread, it can be treated with an 80-90 percent success rate five years later. Screening for breast cancer using mammography and a clinical breast exam is recommended every year for women ages 50 and older.

Mammography may be appropriate for women ages 40 to 49 who are at increased risk for breast cancer. All women aged 20 and older should regularly examine their breasts for new lumps or tender areas once a month. Any changes should be reported to your healthcare provider.

There are many different ways to treat breast cancer. Surgery may be used with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.

KIDNEY CANCER

Kidney cancer is also called renal cancer. Kidney cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the kidneys. The kidneys are two bean- shaped organs found on either side of the back bone. Their job is to filter and clean the blood. The waste is filtered into urine to be removed from the body.
Symptoms of kidney cancer include:

Risk factors include being a male, smoking, and exposure to industrial agents such as:

Screening for renal cancer is done with a routine physical exam and urine test. High risk individuals should be screened yearly. If cancer is suspected, additional tests will be needed to evaluate the kidneys.

Treatment will depend on whether the tumor has spread outside the kidney:

LIVER CANCER

Liver cancer causes tumors, or abnormal growths of cells, to occur in the liver.
In the United States, liver cancer is very rare. However, in the rest of the world, it is a serious health problem. Risk factors for liver cancer include hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis. Some drugs, chemicals, and pesticides also can cause liver cancer. The disease is more common in males than in females.

Early warning symptoms that should be medically evaluated include:

With any of these symptoms, a person should have a complete physical exam. Special tests may also be needed, such as a CT scan, liver scan, or liver biopsy. A liver biopsy requires the insertion of a needle into the liver to remove some tissue for testing.
Treatments for liver cancer include:

The type of treatment used depends on how advanced the liver cancer is. Surgery may be done to remove part or all of the liver. When just part of the liver is removed, there is a possibility that the cancer may return. Therefore, removing part of a liver for cancer that started in another organ and moved to the liver, is not effective. This is why liver cancer may even return after a new liver is transplanted.

LUNG CANCER

More men and women die of lung cancer than any other type of cancer in the United States. In recent years, more women have died each year of lung cancer than even breast cancer. This is because more women now smoke cigarettes.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, phlegm streaked with blood, and chest pain. Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis may also be a sign.

Cigarette smoking is by far the most important preventable cause of lung cancer. Tobacco is linked to 87 percent of all cases. Other factors include exposure to:

The risk from these other factors is also increased in cigarette smokers. Second-hand tobacco smoke increases lung cancer risk for nonsmokers. In smokers who stop smoking, damaged lung tissue and cancer risk may return to near normal.

It is hard to detect lung cancer in its early stages. Chest X-rays and analysis of cancer cells in the sputum are usually the first tests if there is a suspicion of cancer. These tests are not used unless there are symptoms. Fiberoptic examination (looking through a flexible scope into the lung), and biopsy helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatments depend upon the type and stage of the cancer. Options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. For localized cancers, surgery is usually chosen. Radiation and chemotherapy are often used in combination with surgery.

There are usually no symptoms with early lung cancer. There are no effective methods for screening for early tumors. Once discovered, lung cancer usually has a poor forecast. Prevention of the disease is crucial. If you smoke, you can lower your risk of developing lung cancer by stopping smoking right now. There are many ways to stop smoking. Ask your healthcare provider for information on the various methods available. She or he might also recommend one of the many local quit-smoking programs.

PROSTATE CANCER

The prostate gland is one of the male sex glands. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis. The prostate makes the fluid that liquefies the semen and carries the sperm. Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. With the exception of skin cancers, it is the most common cancer in men. Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men.

As men age, the prostate may get bigger and block the urethra. This can cause difficulty in urinating or interfere with sexual function. The symptoms for this may be similar to prostate cancer.
Seek medical evaluation for these symptoms:

A complete evaluation will include a rectal exam to feel for lumps in the prostate. Other tests, such as an ultrasound, may be needed. This test uses sound waves to make a picture of the bladder. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be done to remove sample of cells from the prostate.

Treatment will depend on whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate:

Prostate cancer is often found when the cancer is at an early stage. Most prostate cancer grows very slowly. The 5-year survival rate for localized prostate cancer is 98 percent.

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SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells are found in the outer layers of your skin. The skin has two main layers and several kinds of cells.
The top layer of skin is called the epidermis. It contains three kinds of cells:

There are several types of cancer that start in the skin. The most common are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes and usually appears first as a mole. It is not as common as basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer but it is much more serious. Other kinds of cancer that may affect the skin include cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system, and Kaposi's sarcoma.

Skin cancer is most common in people with light colored skin who have been exposed to sunburns and sunlight. It tends to occur in places that have been exposed to more sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands, and arms. Skin cancer may look different on different people.

The most common signs of skin cancer are:

Not all changes in your skin's appearance are cancer, but you should see your doctor if you notice unusual changes. Like most cancers, skin cancer is best treated when it is found early. If you have a spot or lump on your skin, your doctor may remove the growth and look at the tissue under a microscope.

Treatment may include one of the following:

Most non-melanoma skin cancers can be cured if treated early. Any change in a mole needs to be reported. The sooner any skin cancer is discovered, the better the outcome.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CANCER

When someone has cancer, they often need to have surgery. The surgery can be simple, as in the removal of a small tumor, or, complex if the tumor has grown to involve nearby organs, tissues, and glands.

In some cases, more than one procedure is required. The first procedure is a biopsy that reveals the presence of cancer cells. This may be done by removing samples of tissue, or using a hollow needle to obtain a cell sample.

Tests are done to determine the size, spread, and type of cancer. These may include blood, tissue tests, and X-rays. Surgery may be scheduled to remove as much of the affected tissue as possible.
Sometimes surgery can completely cure cancer. This is more likely when the tumor is at an early stage. When it is not possible to remove all the area affected with cancer, other types of treatment may then be used. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy used alone, or in combination, are most common.

Palliative surgery is another kind of cancer treatment. It can relieve pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor. It can improve the quality of life and help the patient continue to perform their daily tasks. This kind of surgery does not cure the cancer, and may not even prolong life. Its goal is to ease and relieve discomfort.

SEVEN WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER

When cancer is in its very early stages, there are often no symptoms. Sometimes early symptoms do not seem like anything serious. Learning what to look for can lead to early detection. The chances of curing cancer are made much greater when it is found early.

The American Cancer Society has identified seven major warning signs of cancer:

If any of these warning signs are present, you should have a medical examination soon. Having one of these warning signs does not mean you are sure to have cancer. If cancer is present, early treatment greatly increases your chances to be cured.

There are more warning signs for other kinds of cancer. They are not as common as those listed above.

PAIN CONTROL AND CANCER

Cancer can be very painful. Pain may be caused by tumor growth, nerve damage, or treatments such as, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Even muscle aches can develop when physical activity is limited for cancer patients.

Pain relief is called analgesia. In most patients, cancer pain can be controlled safely and effectively. All cancer patients should expect good pain control as part of their care. Patients and their families learn how to participate in a pain management program.

Pain management improves the patient's quality of life because it:

Cancer patients often lose hope when they have constant pain or new pain. They might believe that pain is a symptom that their cancer is worsening. Pain control is also important in patients with stable disease. It may keep them working productively, enjoying recreation, and taking pleasure in their usual role in the family and society.

There are many ways to treat pain. These include medications and behavior strategies. For more severe pain, options may include radiation, nerve blocks, and surgery.

CANCER INFORMATION RESOURCES

Many resources are available that provide cancer information. National and local cancer organisations, healthcare providers, libraries, and the Internet are great sources of free information.

ALTERNATIVE CANCER CURES AND REMEDIES

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