Cancer Information - Importance of detecting cancer early

What is Cancer?
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body’s basic building blocks. Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that normally control the growth and death of cells.

During the process of cell division one cell may acquire some genetic mutation that would alter the cell division control mechanisms of that cell. This altered cell no longer listens to the control signals for cell division and may continue to divide and multiply. This uncontrolled cell division and growth ultimately results in cancer.

Normal cells stop growing once they come in contact with another cell. This is called contact inhibition. Cancer cells tend to lose contact inhibition and they may grow on top of each other, or erode in to the surrounding tissues. Cells that have lost growth control usually stay or clump together to form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. A tumor can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Benign tumors are not cancer:
Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening.
Generally, benign tumors can be removed and they do not usually grow back. Benign tumors usually stay in one place in the body and do not erode into the surrounding structures.

Malignant tumors are cancer:
Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening. Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back. Cells from malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cells from malignant tumors can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Who Can Get Cancer?
Cancer is a common disease, about one out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer during the course of their life.

Cancer is more common in the elderly and 77 percent of cancers occur in people above age 55 or older. Cancer is also common in children. Cancer incidence is said to have two peaks once during early childhood and then during late years in life. No age period is completely exempted from development of cancers. Some cancers occur predominantly in the elderly, other types occur in children.

Cancer occurs in all ethnic races, however the cancer rates and rates of specific cancer types may vary from group to group.

The Importance Of Detecting Cancer Early

The earlier cancer is detected and treated the better your chances of a full recovery. If you do get cancer, you increase the chances of detecting it early through regular medical exams and routine self-exams. A doctor can often detect cancer prior to any symptoms developing through regular physicals.

Cancer Exams For Both Men and Women

There are certain types of cancer that are common to both men and women. Your doctor should examine your skin on a regular basis for any signs of skin cancer. You can check yourself for changes in color, shape, or size of any moles or other obvious changes to your skin.

Both men and women, once you reach the age of 50, should have a yearly fecal occult blood test to detect for colon or rectal cancer. Essentially, the doctor will be looking for blood in your stool sample. Colon and rectal cancer can cause bleeding. Blood in the stool can be caused by other factors also, so a follow up with additional tests are usually done.

Both doctors and dentists should conduct regular exams of your mouth. You can also check for changes in color of your gums, lips, tongue and inner cheeks. Signs of cracking, white patches, and bleeding can also indicate cancer or the possibility of cancer.

Cancer Exams For Men

Men over the age of 40 should have a regular exam for prostate cancer. This usually involves a digital rectal exam by your doctor. Your doctor can check your prostate gland through the wall of your rectum to determine any signs of cancer.

Testicular cancer most commonly occurs in men between the ages of 15 and 35. Testicular cancer is often detected by self-examination. Look for any lumps, swelling, pain, or tenderness.

Cancer Exams For Women

When breast cancer is detected early in women it increases the options for treatment and can often result in a full recovery. Women should talk to their doctors and undergo mammograms, breast exams by your doctor, and breast self-examinations.

Regular pelvic exams and Pap tests for women are used to detect early cancer of the cervix. In a pelvic exam the doctor feels the ovaries, uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum for any changes in shape or size.

Common types of cancer:

Breast Cancer - Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer can occur in both women and men.

Colon Cancer - Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the colon.

Leukemia - Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.

Lung Cancer - Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages.

Lymphoma - Lymph vessels lead to lymph nodes, which are small, round organs that trap cancer cells, bacteria, or other harmful substances that may be in the lymph.

Melanoma - A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin cells called melanocytes (cells that color the skin).

Mesothelioma - Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Prostate Cancer - Cancer of the prostate is the most common malignancy in American men.

Definitions Related To Cancer

Cancer Diagnosis -This term is the process of detecting or identifying cancer from signs or symptoms of cancer.

Cancer Prognosis -The prognosis is the likely outcome or course of your cancer. The term is used to describe your chance of recovering from the cancer or the chance of recurrence.

Cancer Staging - Staging is used to describe the severity of your cancer based on the extent of the tumor and the amount of spread into your body. Staging helps your doctor plan your treatment. The cancer stage can be used to estimate your prognosis.

Cancer Treatments - This is the course of action and therapy that is used to reduce or eliminate the cancer. Commonly used cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, lasers, surgery, and alternative therapy methods.