Cancer refers to a broad group of diseases in which body cells become abnormal, grow out of control, and are or become malignant (harmful).
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (heart disease is first). Current estimates say that about 1 in 3 of all Americans will develop some kind of cancer in their lifetime. The most common forms are cancer of the skin, lungs, colon and rectum, breast, prostate, urinary tract, and uterus.
Exactly what causes all cancers has not yet been found. Evidence suggests, however, that cancer could result from complex interactions of viruses, a person's genetic makeup, their immune status, and their exposure to other risk factors that may promote cancer.
These risk factors include:
Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet
rays, nuclear radiation, X-rays, and radon
Use of tobacco and/or alcohol (for some
cancers)
Use of certain medicines such as DES (a
synthetic estrogen)
Polluted air and water
Dietary factors such as a high-fat diet;
specific food preservatives, namely nitrates and nitrites; char-broiling and char-grilling
meats
Exposure to a variety of chemicals such as
asbestos, benzenes, VC (vinyl chloride), wood dust, some ingredients of cigarette smoke,
etc.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type of cancer, the stage that it is in,
and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). The
following signs and symptoms should always be brought to your doctor's attention because
they could be warning signals of cancer:
Any change in bladder or bowel habits
A lump or thickening in the breast,
testicles, or anywhere else
Unusual vaginal bleeding or rectal
discharge or unusual bleeding from any part of the body
Persistent hoarseness or nagging cough
A sore that doesn't heal
Noticeable change in a wart or mole
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Treatment and Care
Cancer is not necessarily fatal and is, in many cases, curable. Early
detection and proper treatment increase your chances for surviving cancer. Early
detection is more likely if you:
Know the above warning signs for cancer and
report any of these warning signs to your doctor if they occur
Do regular self-examinations such as
monthly breast self-examination if you are a woman (see How to Examine Your Breasts under
"Breast Cancer & Breast Self-Exam"), and a testicular self-exam monthly or
as directed by your doctor if you are a man (see Testicular Self-Exam under
"Testicular Cancer & Self-Exam"). {Note: Men can
also get breast cancer and should check with their doctor for signs to look for.}
Look at yourself in the mirror for any
noticeable changes in warts or moles or for any wounds that have not healed
Ask your doctor to perform routine tests
that can help detect early signs of cancer. Examples are pap tests, breast exams, and
mammograms, for women. See Common Health Tests and How Often to
Have Them for other tests, including digital rectal exam, sigmoidoscopy, and stool
blood test.
If and when cancer is diagnosed, treatment will depend on the type of cancer present, the stage it is in, and your body's response to treatment.
Cancer treatment generally includes one or more of the following:
Surgery to remove the cancerous
tumor(s) and clear any obstruction to vital passageways caused by the cancer
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Possibly immunotherapy, hormonal therapy,
or bone-marrow transplant
Prevention
Measures can be taken to lower the risk for certain forms of cancer.
Dietary:
Reduce the intake of total dietary
fat to no more than 30% of total calories and reduce the intake of saturated fat to less
than 10% of total calories.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains, especially:
Broccoli and other cabbage-family vegetables, including cabbage and brussels sprouts.
These contain cancer-fighting chemicals, such
as sulforaphane antioxidants.
Deep yellow-orange fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, peaches, tomatoes, carrots,
sweet potatoes and squash, and very dark-green
vegetables like spinach, greens, and broccoli
for their beta-carotene and cancer-fighting
chemical content
Strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, and green peppers for vitamin C
Whole-grain breads, cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes for their dietary
fiber content
Consume salt-cured, salt-pickled, and
smoked foods only in moderation.
Drink alcoholic beverages only in
moderation, if at all.
Lifestyle:
Do not smoke, use tobacco
products, or inhale secondhand smoke.
Limit your exposure to known carcinogens
such as asbestos, radon, and other workplace chemicals, as well as pesticides and
herbicides.
Have X-rays only when necessary.
Limit your exposure to the sun's
ultraviolet (UV) rays, sun lamps, and tanning booths. Protect your skin from the sun's UV
rays with sunscreen (applied frequently and containing a sun protection factor [SPF] of 15
or higher) and protective clothing (sun hats, long sleeves, etc.).
Reduce stress. Emotional stress may weaken
the immune system, which fights off stray cancer cells.
(See "Places to Get Information & Help" under Cancer.)
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99