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Can
you name the 12 most common types of cancer? Are you familiar with the warning signs for each of them?
We
want you to know as much as you can because
EARLY
DETECTION IS THE BEST PROTECTION.
Cervical Cancer - At risk women, especially those exposed to Human Papilloma Virus
and other STD, those with multiple sexual partners; those that smoke; chances increase with age. Warning Signs: no symptoms in early stages. Contact your doctor immediately if you have vaginal discharge with blood, bleeding after intercourse, abnormal
bleeding, increased urinary frequency, pain or swollen leg. Screening: annual
Pap test with pelvic exam beginning at age eighteen. Diagnosis: Cervical biopsy.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) -is the most common form of leukemia in children
and the most common childhood cancer. AIL
is the overproduction of white blood cells called lymphoblasts. Warning Signs: recurring fever, anemia, excessive bruising,
nosebleeds, frequent infections, fatigue, bone pain, abdominal pain and enlargement of lymph nodes, liver or spleen. Diagnosis: Blood test, bone marrow
aspiration, and biopsy.
Colorectal Cancer - when detected early and treated promptly is one of the most curable forms of cancer.
At Risk: Men and Women. Warning Signs: a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or stomach cramps that don't go away. Screening: men and women
at average risk should begin regular screening at age 50. Diagnosis: Endoscopic examination and biopsy.
Multiple Myeloma - A cancer of the blood. At Risk: Men and women,
especially between age 50 and 70, Blacks more than Whites, and men more than women. Warning Signs: bone pain, broken bones, weakness,
fatigue, weight loss, repeated infections. There may be no symptoms in the earliest stage. Diagnosis: Radiography, blood and urine tests, bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy.
Melanoma - The deadliest form of skin cancer. At
Risk: Men and women. Higher
risk for weekend tanners than everyday exposures, those with fair skin, red or
blonde hair, those who received painful sunburns in childhood and those with abnormally shaped moles all over the body. Warning Signs: a change in size, shape, color, tenderness or itching of an existing mole or lesion, new moles or lesions. Screening: perform monthly checks in front of a full length mirror, looking for new moles or
lesions and changes in existing moles or lesions. Diagnosis: Biopsy.
Lymphoma - Cancers that develop in the lymphatic system; referred
to as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At Risk: Men and women; 95% of cases occur in adults 40 and over; white men more
than women or black men; those with compromised immune systems; those exposed
to pesticides, fertilizer and solvents; those who had Epstein - Barr Virus. Warning Signs: easily seen/felt
lymph nodes close to the surface of body; painless swelling or enlargement of lymph nodes at neck, underarms or groin; excessive
night sweats; unexplained fever; itchy skin; unexplained weight loss. Diagnosis: Biopsy
Hodgkin's - Cancer of the lymphatic system;
develops in white blood cells. Highly treatable; even those with advanced disease have a high survival rate. At
Risk: ages 15 - 35 and those 55 and over; men more than women; those who
had the Epstein - Barr virus or those with compromised immune systems. Warning
Signs: painless swelling enlargement of lymph nodes; coughing/shortness of breath when in chest; excessive night sweats; unexplained fever; itchy skin; or
weight loss. Screening: no screening
tests to find Hodgkin’s disease early; some with disease have
no symptoms. Diagnosis: Biopsy.
Esophageal Cancer -
At Risk: Men are three times more at risk than women; Blacks
are three times more at
risk than Whites. Major cause: long term combined use of tobacco
and alcohol. Warning Signs: difficultly
swallowing; pain; pressure or burning in the throat or chest; weight toss; vomiting; hoarseness; hiccups; chronic cough. Symptoms may not be evident during the early stages.
Diagnosis: radiographs of the gastrointestinal tract,
Endoscopic examination and biopsy.
Prostate Cancer - The most common cancer among men. At Risk: 8O%
discovered in men over age 65.
Black men are twice as likely as White men to develop prostate cancer. Warning Signs: most men have one
or none of these symptoms: painful or burning urination, inability to urinate or difficulty starting, trouble emptying the
bladder completely, blood in urine or semen, continual pain in lower back, pelvis or thighs. Screening: at age 50. An annual test is needed. Diagnosis: CT scan, MRI scan, bone scan and
biopsy.
For more information, please visit:http://www.prostate-cancer.org
Breast Cancer - At Risk: Men (1 in 1000) and women (1 in 8). Women's genetic risk factors
include having a family member diagnosed under the age of 35, or two or more
female family members diagnosed; Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Warning signs:
Men and Women - breast lump, thickening, swelling, distortion, tenderness or skin irritation. Screening: Age 20, monthly self examination; age 40
(women), annual mammogram and clinical examination. Diagnosis: Mammography and biopsy.
Lung Cancer - Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases. At Risk: Men and women. Warning Signs: nagging cough, coughing up blood, repeated attacks of pneumonia or bronchitis, pain in chest and arm, loss pf appetite
or unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness, increased
amount of sputum streaked with blood, and swelling of face and arms. Screening: Although the spiral CT scan appears to be more
precise than conventional radiology, guidelines for lung cancer screening
do not exist. Diagnosis: Biopsy.
Ovarian - This cancer is the second most common malignancy of the female genital tract, but it
causes the most deaths. There
are over 30 types of ovarian cancer. At Risk: 5% to 10% are hereditary; the rest have no known cause. Women
with a personal history of breast, endometrial and/or colon cancers, a history of infertility or use of fertility drugs, Ashkenazi
Jewish heritage and family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, or an abnormal change in the BRCA1/BRCA2 gene. Warning Signs: patients often have no specific/intense symptoms. Abnormal swelling and/or pain, bloating; vague but persistent gastrointestinal complaints; frequency
and/or urgency of urination, changes in bowel habits; unexplained weight loss/gain. Diagnosis: Pelvic exam, ultrasound, CA 125 serum tumor marker, biopsy.
For more information please visit http://www.ovarian.org
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