Questions that people make about cancer
People it is difficult to know what is true for cancer because there are many rumors and myths about this disease. In this article, we discuss the answers to some common questions that people have about cancer. If you want to learn more about how cancer arises and spreads, see our document What is cancer? If you have any questions that have not been discussed in this article, call one of our specialists in cancer information at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. We have the data you need.
How common is cancer?
About half of all men and one-third of all women in the United States develop cancer at some point in their lives.
The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in the lifestyle of the person, for example, stay away from stuff, limit the time of exposure to sunlight, exercise, and a healthy diet.
In addition, they can be screened for some cancers so that can be found as soon as possible (while small and before it spreads). In general, the earlier the cancer is found and treatment begins, the greater the chance of living for many years.
Who can have cancer?
Each year more than half of new cases of cancer and are diagnosed million. Anyone can develop cancer at any age, but the risk increases as we age. Around 78% of all cancer cases are diagnosed in people 55 years or older. Cancer can occur in all ethnic and racial population of US groups although the incidence rate varies from one group to another.
How many people who are alive today have ever had cancer?
Today, nearly 14.5 million people in the United States have suffered some type of cancer and are still alive. Some of these people no longer have cancer; while others still suffer from the disease.
In years past, most people who had cancer did not live long, but this is no longer true. Each year, more and more people survive cancer. This is especially the case for children with cancer and those whose cancers were found early before they propagate.
Survival rates are different for people with different types of cancer. Some cancers grow very slowly. Some respond well to treatment. Others develop and spread faster, being more difficult to treat. If you know someone who has cancer, remember that what happens to that person can be very different from what happens to someone with another type of cancer.
What are the causes of cancer?
Things people do
Some cancers are caused by habits of people or things that are exposed themselves. For example, consumption of snuff can cause lung, mouth, throat, kidney and bladder cancer, and many other organs. Of course, not all people who smoke suffer from cancer but significantly increases the risk. It also increases the likelihood of heart and blood vessel diseases.
Also, spend a lot of time in the sun without protection can cause skin cancer. Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer associated with exposure to sunlight and tanning beds.
Other things to which people are exposed
Radiation can cause cancer. For example, people exposed to radiation leakage (also known as fallout) have a higher risk of cancer than those who were not exposed. Rarely, radiation treatment for cancer can cause other cancers that arise many years later. It is for this reason that doctors and dentists use the lowest dose of radiation possible on radiographs and imaging (much less than the dose used to treat cancer).
In addition, certain chemicals have been associated with cancer. Exposure to these chemicals or working with them can increase a person's risk of cancer. Call us to learn more about carcinogens (substances that cause cancer) that may be near you, or read the section "Other carcinogens" of our website.
Genes among families
About 5 to 10% of all cancer cases are related to genes inherited from the parents.
conclusion
No one knows the exact cause of most cases of cancer. We know that certain changes in our cells cause cancer from developing, but still do not know exactly how this happens. Scientists are studying this problem and learning more about the many steps that occur for cancers to form and grow. Read the section What causes cancer? on our website to learn more about what has been linked to this disease.
If you are interested in taking steps to help reduce your risk of cancer, read "Can I prevent cancer?".
Can injuries cause cancer?
It is a common myth that injuries can cause cancer. The reality is that falls, bruises, bone fractures and other injuries have not been associated with cancer. It could be that sometimes a person consults your doctor for something he considered to be an injury and then discover cancer, but the injury did not cause cancer; cancer already existed. It also happens that sometimes a person will remember an injury that happened to him long ago in the place where he was diagnosed with cancer.
Rarely, burn scars can be the site where cancer develops many years after the burn has healed. Most often skin cancer is cancer that begins in a burn scar.
Can stress cause cancer?
Much research has been done to see if there is any connection between personality, stress, and cancer. There is no scientific evidence that personality or perspective of a person affects the risk of cancer.
Many factors analyze the relationship between cancer and stress. It is known that stress affects the immune system, as well as many other factors, can affect it. Despite many studies, the relationship between psychological stress and cancer has not been demonstrated. In analyzing the studies that have been conducted, it seems that sometimes contradict each other.
For example, in a large Danish study, people who reported high magnitude stressors in their lives did not appear to have a significantly increased risk of any cancer. Another study that looked at women with stressors of great magnitude in their lives such as divorce or death of a loved one reported a slight increase (about one-third higher than the average) in the risk of breast cancer compared with women without these stressors. In the area of everyday stress agents, another study reported an increased risk of breast cancer associated with stress. Yet another study reported that women who reported more everyday stress were actually less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer within the next 18 years.
It is difficult to explain these differences. Maybe some are related to groups that were studied while others may be due to the way the study was conducted. Chance also may have been an influential factor. Everything so far can say is that not found a definite association between stress and cancer risk.
What are the risk factors for cancer?
A risk factor is one that is linked to your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, exposing skin to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer, but is not associated with colon cancer. Some risk factors can actually cause cancer while others may simply be more common in people with cancer. For example, age alone does not cause cancer but is a risk factor.
However, risk factors do not tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even many do not mean a person will develop cancer. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others who have cancer showed no known risk factors. Even if a patient has a risk factor is diagnosed with cancer, there is no way to prove that the risk factor really was what caused cancer.
There are different types of risk factors. Some, such as age or race of the person, can not be changed. Others are related to environmental carcinogenic factors. In addition, there are risk factors related to personal, such as smoking actions. Some factors have more influence on the risk than others, and a person's risk of cancer may change over time due to factors such as aging or lifestyle. (Read "What causes cancer?" For more information).
Some of the major risk factors for cancer that can be controlled:
Snuff consumption
Feeding
Physical activity
Weight
Alcohol consume
Sun exposure
environmental exposures such as radon, lead and asbestos
Exposure to infections such as hepatitis, HPV and HIV.
Overall, it is estimated that 75% to 80% of all cancer cases in the United States is related to environmental factors, broadly defined to include the use of snuff, diet, obesity, exposure to sunlight and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and radiation.
Is cancer contagious?
In the time past, people were often someone who had cancer went because they were afraid of "trapping". But cancer is not like influenza (flu) or a cold. You can not get from someone who already has it. You do not get cancer if left near or touch someone with cancer. Do not be afraid to visit someone with cancer; they need your support and that of their families and friends.
You can get more details in our document Is cancer contagious ?.
Can we prevent cancer?
There is no sure way to prevent cancer, but you can take steps to help reduce your chances of suffering.
Tobacco
Many cancers could be prevented if people did not use snuff.
The practice of smoking causes a brutal deterioration in almost all organs of the body, the statistics indicate that accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and snuff, snuff for oral use, pure and all these variants can cause cancer and should never be used .The Main option for people who smoke snuff is to stop or learn to quit. serious scientific studies have demonstrated conclusively that people who have quit or have never smoked are less likely to have cancer, otherwise what happens to those who persist in doing.
It is best to never use snuff altogether and stay away from secondhand smoke.
To learn more about this topic, read "How to stay away from snuff".
Alcohol
It has been shown that alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, at least certain kinds of them.
Some people believe that certain types of alcohol are safer than others. However, ethanol is the type of alcohol found in all alcoholic beverages, whether beer, wine or spirits (distilled spirits). In general, the amount of alcohol consumed over time, not the type of drink, which seems to be the most important in increasing cancer risk factor.
If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one a day for women. This can help limit your risk of cancer. You can get more information in our document Alcohol Use and Cancer.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages and snuff
Consumption of alcoholic beverages along with snuff products increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx and esophagus much more than the individual effects of each alone.
ultraviolet sunlight (UV) and
You can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer if:
By having direct prolonged exposure to sunlight for a period of 10 to 16 hours:
Wear a hat, shirt and silent.
Use sunscreen with a sun safety factor (SPF) of 30 or more.
In Solarium or lamps.
throughout the region resulted in the presentation that day and the rays of clear light on our website for more information on the relationship between the introduction of light rays and skin tumors and understand how you want to be your friends in the local and family against evil skin these rays.
support for
We are aware that livelihoods are linked to some predictions, although the exact reasons are not yet clear. The best data suggesting a reduced risk of cancer in people who:
Eating green grapes food or new vehicles (not less than 2 ½ cups a day).
Choose whole grains instead of refined grains and sugars.
Limit red meat (hamburgers, pork and lamb).
Limit processed meats (such as bacon, beef, sausage and organized).
Nutrition spent're keeps running and a healthy weight.
Limit alcohol to one drink or less per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
We have a lot of data on living conditions and physical action may influence the risk of disease. Call or visit our website for more information.
Vaccination, reducing disease risk
We now know that the cause of the disease of most infections, the party, some types of cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV for short) is an infection that is clearly related to malignancy. This infection was cervical cancer in combination, centered on the butt of genital malignancy growth and even many head and neck tumors. (Ran HPV and cancer subtle elements).
There are two vaccines to combat HPV-related diseases that cause these infections should prevent malignant tumors. In any case, most adults are already infected with HPV, and the antibodies were not informed people who have HPV. If young people who have not been sexually dynamic, sometimes on the road, when they have a lower risk of malignancy of these antibodies before submission to HPV. The American Cancer Society, the vaccine for girls 11 and 12 years old, created despite the fact that it can be applied to girls and adolescents aged 9 years. For more information, read the HPV vaccines.
early detection
For early detection of the disease, so it is a bit, and before it spreads, adults should test called intermittent suffers tumor. These tests help professionals discover regularly tumors before they cause side effects. For example, early detection routine breast, colon, rectum, neck, mouth and skin ID. If the disease is detected early, it can be easily treated. In addition, the survival of which they are usually higher with the organization at the beginning of the tumor. Talk to your partner about this test can be a good option for you.
You can learn more about the advances that take can take to find the tumor at an early stage in our report on guidelines for rapid location of the American Cancer Society more.
As he discussed evil?
The characters and the page displayed by a man effects is not enough to know if they have a disease or not. (For more information on this topic read the signs of the disease and effects). If your specialist suspects that you have a malignant tumor requires proof, such as X-rays, blood tests or a biopsy. In general, the best way to ensure growth biopsy.
For some lump or abnormal area biopsy performed complementary and sent to a research center. Cells appear to an expert in the diagnosis of infection instrument specialist (pathologist) with a magnifying glass, in which tumor cells to see. If cell growth, the expert tried to understand what kind of tumor is and how it could develop quickly.
Imaging studies can evaluate the extent of disease and, in some cases, if spread to surrounding tissues. In addition, blood tests allow the recovery of their data, the welfare of the general data on the functioning of its organs and tumors of the blood.
How is the growth?
The three main types of treatment of malignant tumors are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A man with a malignant tumor can get everything or other material. the study of disease discuss with the patient all treatment alternatives. It is imperative to call an investment option to consider. With a treatment plan that you have the main rule of the elements of the type and stage (quantity) of the disease. conceivable considering the approach of different treatment variables reactions wide for the state of animal welfare, and have a chance to heal disease control for life or on the peaceful side effects.
Surgery
Surgery is often the first treatment if the tumor can be removed from the body. Sometimes you can only remove part of cancer. Before or after surgery, it can be used to reduce radiation or chemotherapy cancer.
For more information, see our document, Surgery: A Guide for Patients and their families.
Chemotherapy
Doctors use chemotherapy drugs or "chemo" to fight cancer cells. Usually, the drugs are given by mouth or intravenously (IV or into a vein). The drugs travel throughout the body through the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells that have spread from the tumor.
For more information on chemotherapy and its side effects, see our document, A Guide chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed into the tumor (internal radiation or implant). External radiation therapy is very similar to undergo an X-ray. Painless, but can cause side effects.
For more information, see the Radiation Therapy: A Guide for Patients and their families.
Other types of cancer treatment
Other types of treatment which may hear about include targeted therapy, transplantation of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy. Hormone therapy is another treatment that is sometimes used to treat certain types of breast and prostate cancers.
What are the side effects of cancer treatment?
The type of treatment a person receives depends on the type and stage (extent) of cancer, your age, overall health, medical history and personal preferences. Every drug or treatment plan has different side effects. It is difficult to predict what side effects a person might present; even when people receive the same treatment, these may have different side effects. Some side effects can be severe and another lighter. It's true that some people have a tough time with cancer treatment, but many others deal with their treatment quite well. Moreover, most of the side effects of treatment can be treated.
Side effects of chemotherapy
The short-term side chemotherapy (often treatable) effects can include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss and mouth ulcers. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, patients may present low blood cell counts. This can cause:
Increased risk of infections (due to low white blood cells).
Bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (decreased platelets).
Anemia (due to low red blood cell count), which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, among other symptoms.
(To learn more about blood counts and what they mean, see our document entitled Your lab tests).
Teams cancer care work closely with patients to control the side effects of chemotherapy. Most side effects of chemotherapy disappear once treatment is completed. For example, the hair that fell during treatment grows back when treatment ends. Almost all patients wear wigs, hair bandanas (scarves or scarves) or hats during this period to protect and conserve the heat of the head.
Side effects of radiation
Treatment with radiation like x-rays and painless. The most common are skin irritation and fatigue. Such fatigue is a feeling of extreme exhaustion and low energy that is not relieved by rest. Often it lasts for several weeks after stopping treatment. Other side effects may also occur, depending on the body part being treated.
Is it worse than cancer treatment itself?
This is a belief that can be dangerous for many people. Believing that the treatment is worse than cancer, people may not receive treatment that can save their lives.
It is easy to understand the origin of why he has this belief. Often, people diagnosed with early stage cancer showed no further symptoms or conditions, or any problems that came to show could have been smaller. In the initial stages of cancer, the symptoms are usually minor, if any, and is often up after treatment starts when people start to feel bad. In addition, it is true that chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can cause side effects. However, these side effects go away after treatment and this can save the lives of many people.
The person who is considering refusing treatment against cancer should talk with your doctor to clearly understand the likely results both receiving treatment and not to receive it before making the decision.
If cancer is allowed to progress without treatment, symptoms worsen and new symptoms last time accumulate. The symptoms are different depending on the type of cancer and locations where it spreads. Later in the course of the disease, when more severe symptoms begin to emerge, curative treatment may not be an option. Cancer causes death when invades vital organs (such as the intestines, lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys), and interferes with the body's functions that are necessary to live. The cancer is not treated usually causes death.
In contrast, cancer treatment often saves lives, especially when the cancer is detected and treated early. Even in cases when you can not cure cancer, treatment can often prolong life. In addition, medical care can always be used to help relieve discomfort in a person by reducing pain and other symptoms. It is important that a person knows the goal of each course of treatment, and make decisions based on information throughout the experience related to cancer.
There are times when every person who receives cancer treatment questions its commitment to the difficult period of treatment and its side effects. Sometimes it becomes discouraged because of the uncertainty of treatment and think if they really worth. This is normal. It may be helpful to know that doctors are always learning better ways to collaborate with patients to manage side effects. And remember that every year come advances in cancer treatments.
What is remission?
Some people consider referral means that it has cured cancer, but this is not always the case. Remission is a period of time in which the cancer is responding to treatment or is under control. In a state of complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer disappear and it is not possible to detect cancer cells by any of the available evidence. It is also possible that a patient has a state of partial remission, which means that cancer has reduced, but not completely disappeared. Remissions can last from several weeks to several years. Complete remissions can go on for years and may eventually deem that the person was cured. If cancer comes back (recurs), another remission may occur with further treatment.
How to get more information?
More information from the American Cancer Society
Below is information that could be useful. You can also order free copies of our documents by calling our toll-free, 1-800-227-2345, or you can read them on our website www.cancer.org.
Living with cancer
After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and their families
Coping with cancer in daily life
When you know someone who has cancer
What is cancer?
Listen with your heart
When someone you know has cancer
When someone at work has cancer
How to Be a Friend to Someone With Cancer
Risk factors, prevention and early detection of cancer
Guides of the American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention
Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
Guides of the American Cancer Society for early cancer detection
Signs and symptoms of cancer
Cancer treatment
A guide chemotherapy
Surgery: A Guide for Patients and their families
Radiation Therapy: A Guide for Patients and their families
Stem cell transplantation (autologous peripheral blood, bone marrow and cord blood)
Targeted Therapy
Cancer Immunotherapy
In addition to these documents, the American Cancer Society has information on many different types of cancer and its treatments. Contact us to get the specific information you need.
No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us for information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org