1. The Major Types of Cancer
Learn the names of the four major types of cancer to better understand the daily updates in cancer research. Carcinoma is a specific type of cancer, one that begins in the skin or tissues that line the organs. Breast, colon and lung cancer are all types of carcinomas, in fact 80 percent of all cancers are carcinomas. Cancers that affect other parts of the body are: sarcomas, which invade the supporting tissues of the body, lymphomas found in the immune system and lymph nodes, and leukemia, which affects blood cells found in bone marrow.
2. Clear Up Any Cancer Confusion
Understand that cancer is a term used to describe more than 100 different diseases that all begin when abnormal cells grow out of control and disrupt normal cell activity. Cancerous tumors grow from the abnormal cells. Cancerous tumors can infect healthy tissue by penetrating nearby tissues or metastasizing into the blood stream and lymph nodes. When this happens, the cancer can travel anywhere in the body. Tumors that can't travel and grow in one place are considered benign and non-cancerous. Tumors able to travel by invasion or metastasis are malignant and are cancerous. Learn these basic facts to eliminate cancer confusion from your mind.
3. Scary Facts and Statistics
Avoid being a statistic. One in three adult men and half of adult women will battle cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer, a carcinoma, is the most common cancer in the United States. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death. Prostate, breast and colorectal make up the other most common cancers. More than eight million people die of cancer worldwide each year. If you all into one of the at-risk groups, ask your physician about preventive steps you can take.
4. Keep Away from the Cause
Age increases your risk of cancer and so does family history. Exposure to certain carcinogens, tobacco, sunlight, radon, x-rays and radioactive fallout are all known causes of cancer. Chemicals such as asbestos, benzene, benzidine and cadmium cause cancer. The list of carcinogenic chemicals continues to grow. Chances of cancer increase if you have certain viral infections such as HPV, HIV or the Epstein-Barr virus. Avoid known causes of cancer to lower your risk of this disease.
5. Take Action for Health
Know your family's history of cancer. Talk with your doctor about cancer screening if family members have battled cancer. Stop smoking and avoid known cancer risks. Use sunscreen and avoid products containing known carcinogens. Eat a healthy diet to prevent obesity and stay active. Drink in moderation. Practice safe sex to reduce your chances of contracting HPV. Stay alert to symptoms of cancer and have a medical assessment if you experience unusual symptoms and avail yourself of advances in medical care designed to reduce your risk of cancer. Contact the American Cancer Society for the latest news on cancer.
