Cancer
Cancer is a disease that causes cells to grow unusually. It is the second most common cause of death in the United States. However, there are some ways to prevent cancer.
Controllable Risk Factors:
- Tobacco
- Exposure to sunlight
- Alcohol
- Poor diet, lack of physical activity
- Being overweight
Uncontrollable Risk Factors:
- Growing older
- Family history of cancer
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Some viruses and germs
- Certain hormones
To help prevent cancer:
- Stay out of the sun from mid–morning until late afternoon
- When you are in the sun, wear long sleeves or sunscreen
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Do not use tobacco products
- Limit alcohol use
There are lots of different warning signs of cancer. Here are some of them:
- A thick lump in the breast or elsewhere
- A sore that does not heal
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- A new mole or change in an old mole
- Hoarseness or a cough that won’t stop
- Discomfort after eating
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Feeling weak or tired
Screening, testing for cancer before experiencing symptoms, is an important step in fighting cancer. Here is some important screening information:
- Lung: There is no screening for lung cancer. However, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women. Cigarette smoking causes more than 80% of lung cancer cases, and quitting smoking is the best way to reduce risk.
- Colon and Rectum: Screening can reduce the national colorectal cancer death rate by at least 30%, so talk to your doctor about which screenings are best for you.
- Breast: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer–related deaths among American women. Regular mammograms (picture x–ray of the breast) can catch breast cancer at its most treatable stage and greatly improve chances for survival.
- Cervix: Have a Pap smear (testing of cells from the cervix) every year. This is the single most important tool for preventing this highly curable form of cancer. There is also an HPV vaccine available, which can prevent 3 types of HPV that are known to cause most (not all) cervical cancers.
- Lung: There is no screening for lung cancer. However, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women. Cigarette smoking causes more than 80% of lung cancer cases, and quitting smoking is the best way to reduce risk.
- Colon and Rectum: Screening can reduce the national colorectal cancer death rate by at least 30%, so talk to your doctor about which screenings are best for you.
- Breast: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer–related deaths among American women. Regular mammograms (picture x–ray of the breast) can catch breast cancer at its most treatable stage and greatly improve chances for survival.
- Cervix: Have a Pap smear (testing of cells from the cervix) every year. This is the single most important tool for preventing this highly curable form of cancer. There is also an HPV vaccine available, which can prevent 3 types of HPV that are known to cause most (not all) cervical cancers.
