Cancer Information Center
Comprehensive guide to understanding and managing cancer
Cancer Overview
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death. Cancer is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.
What Happens in Cancer?
Cancer develops when the body's normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor. Some cancers, like leukemia, do not form tumors but instead involve abnormal blood cells.
Main Types of Cancer
- Carcinomas: The most common type (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, colorectal cancers)
- Sarcomas: Cancers of connective tissues (bones, muscles, cartilage)
- Leukemias: Cancers of the blood and bone marrow
- Lymphomas: Cancers of the lymphatic system
- Central Nervous System Cancers: Cancers of the brain and spinal cord
Cancer Statistics
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally
- About 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime
- Early detection improves survival rates significantly
- Approximately 30-50% of cancers can be prevented by healthy lifestyle choices
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.
Key Facts
- Most common cancer in women worldwide
- About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer
- Survival rates have improved significantly with early detection
- Risk factors include age, genetics, and lifestyle factors
- Regular screening can help detect breast cancer early
Types of Breast Cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Non-invasive cancer in milk ducts
- Invasive ductal carcinoma: Most common type that spreads beyond ducts
- Invasive lobular carcinoma: Begins in milk-producing glands
- Triple-negative breast cancer: Aggressive form lacking common receptors
- Inflammatory breast cancer: Rare and aggressive type
Breast Cancer: Symptoms
Common Symptoms
- A breast lump or thickening that feels different from surrounding tissue
- Change in size, shape or appearance of a breast
- Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
- A newly inverted nipple
- Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin around the nipple
- Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast
- Persistent breast pain or tenderness
- Swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone
When to See a Doctor
If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor for prompt evaluation. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's important to have them evaluated promptly.
Breast Cancer: Diagnosis
Breast cancer diagnosis begins with a physical exam and may include imaging tests and biopsy procedures.
Diagnostic Tests
- Mammogram: X-ray of the breast (screening and diagnostic)
- Breast ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce images
- Breast MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast
- Biopsy: Removing a sample of breast cells for testing
- Lab tests: Analyzing cancer cells for receptors
Staging
If breast cancer is diagnosed, staging tests determine the extent (stage) of cancer:
- Stage 0: Non-invasive (DCIS)
- Stage I: Early stage invasive breast cancer
- Stage II: Larger tumor or spread to few lymph nodes
- Stage III: Locally advanced cancer
- Stage IV: Metastatic breast cancer
Breast Cancer: Treatment Options
Breast cancer treatment depends on the type of breast cancer, its stage, and other factors. Treatment often involves a combination of approaches.
Surgical Options
- Lumpectomy: Removing the tumor and small margin of healthy tissue
- Mastectomy: Removing all breast tissue (simple or radical)
- Sentinel node biopsy: Removing first few lymph nodes near tumor
- Axillary lymph node dissection: Removing many lymph nodes
- Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Radiation Therapy
Uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. Often used after lumpectomy.
Chemotherapy
Uses drugs to destroy fast-growing cells. May be used before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant).
Targeted Therapy
Drugs that attack specific abnormalities in cancer cells (e.g., HER2-positive drugs).
Hormone Therapy
For hormone receptor-positive cancers to block hormone effects on cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
Uses your immune system to fight cancer, for certain types of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer: Prevention
While there's no sure way to prevent breast cancer, you can reduce your risk through lifestyle changes and early detection.
Risk Reduction Strategies
- Limit alcohol: The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk
- Maintain healthy weight: Obesity increases breast cancer risk
- Be physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes weekly
- Breastfeed: May play a role in prevention
- Limit hormone therapy: Combination therapy may increase risk
- Avoid radiation exposure: Medical imaging only when necessary
Early Detection
- Breast awareness: Familiarize yourself with your breasts
- Clinical breast exams: As part of regular health checkups
- Mammograms: Recommended starting at age 40-50 depending on risk
- Genetic testing: For those with strong family history
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.
Key Facts
- Leading cause of cancer death in both men and women
- About 1 in 16 people will develop lung cancer
- Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers
- Non-smokers can also develop lung cancer
- Early detection improves survival rates
Types of Lung Cancer
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Aggressive, strongly linked to smoking
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Most common type (about 85%)
- Lung carcinoid tumors: Rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors
Lung Cancer: Symptoms
Common Symptoms
- A persistent cough that doesn't go away or gets worse
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- Fatigue or weakness
- Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don't go away
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. If you smoke and have been unable to quit, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss strategies for quitting.
Lung Cancer: Diagnosis
Lung cancer diagnosis typically begins with imaging tests and may include procedures to collect cells for testing.
Diagnostic Tests
- Imaging tests: X-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI
- Sputum cytology: Examining coughed-up mucus under microscope
- Biopsy: Removing a sample of abnormal cells
- Lab tests: Analyzing cancer cells for mutations
Staging
If lung cancer is diagnosed, staging determines the extent of cancer:
- Stage I: Cancer is small and confined to the lung
- Stage II: Cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the chest
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Lung Cancer: Treatment Options
Lung cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient's overall health.
Surgical Options
- Wedge resection: Removing a small section of lung
- Segmental resection: Removing a larger portion of lung
- Lobectomy: Removing an entire lobe of a lung
- Pneumonectomy: Removing an entire lung
Radiation Therapy
Uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. May be used before or after surgery.
Chemotherapy
Uses drugs to kill cancer cells, often combined with other treatments.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs that target specific abnormalities in cancer cells (e.g., EGFR inhibitors).
Immunotherapy
Uses your immune system to fight cancer (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors).
Lung Cancer: Prevention
While there's no sure way to prevent lung cancer, you can reduce your risk with these strategies.
Risk Reduction Strategies
- Don't smoke: The most important measure you can take
- Stop smoking: Quitting reduces risk even after years of smoking
- Avoid secondhand smoke: Increases lung cancer risk
- Test your home for radon: Second leading cause of lung cancer
- Avoid carcinogens at work: Use protective equipment
- Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables: May help protect lungs
- Exercise regularly: May reduce lung cancer risk
Screening
Annual low-dose CT scans may be recommended for people at high risk of lung cancer (e.g., long-term smokers).
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
Key Facts
- Most common cancer in men (after skin cancer)
- About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause problems
- More aggressive types can spread quickly
- Early detection improves outcomes
Types of Prostate Cancer
- Adenocarcinoma: Most common type (nearly all cases)
- Small cell carcinoma: Rare, aggressive neuroendocrine tumor
- Transitional cell carcinoma: Rare, begins in urethra
- Sarcoma: Very rare, develops in connective tissue
Prostate Cancer: Symptoms
Common Symptoms
- Trouble urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in semen
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Pain or burning during urination
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. Discuss with your doctor about when to begin prostate cancer screening based on your risk factors.
Prostate Cancer: Diagnosis
Prostate cancer diagnosis may begin with screening tests and typically involves procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnostic Tests
- PSA test: Measures prostate-specific antigen in blood
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): Doctor feels prostate for abnormalities
- Biopsy: Removing prostate tissue samples for testing
- MRI fusion biopsy: Combines MRI with ultrasound for precise biopsy
- Genomic testing: Analyzes cancer cells for aggressiveness
Staging
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, staging determines the extent of cancer:
- Stage I: Cancer is small and confined to prostate
- Stage II: Cancer is more advanced but still confined
- Stage III: Cancer has spread beyond prostate to nearby tissues
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs
Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options
Prostate cancer treatment depends on the cancer's aggressiveness, whether it has spread, and the patient's overall health.
Surgical Options
- Radical prostatectomy: Removing entire prostate and some surrounding tissue
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery: Minimally invasive approach
- Lymph node removal: If cancer has spread to lymph nodes
Radiation Therapy
Uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Options include external beam radiation and brachytherapy (radioactive seeds).
Cryotherapy
Freezes prostate tissue to kill cancer cells, sometimes used for recurrence.
Hormone Therapy
Reduces testosterone levels that fuel prostate cancer growth.
Chemotherapy
Used when cancer has spread outside the prostate gland.
Immunotherapy
Uses your immune system to fight cancer cells.
Active Surveillance
Monitoring slow-growing cancers that may not need immediate treatment.
Prostate Cancer: Prevention
While there's no proven prostate cancer prevention strategy, you may reduce your risk with these approaches.
Risk Reduction Strategies
- Choose healthy diet: Low-fat, high in fruits and vegetables
- Maintain healthy weight: Obesity may increase risk
- Exercise regularly: May reduce prostate cancer risk
- Talk to your doctor about risk: Especially if high-risk
- Consider medications: Some drugs may reduce risk
Screening
Discuss prostate cancer screening with your doctor starting at age 50 (or earlier if high risk). Screening may include PSA test and digital rectal exam.
Common Cancer Symptoms
Cancer symptoms vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, but there are some general warning signs to be aware of:
General Cancer Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing 10 pounds or more without trying
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that doesn't get better with rest
- Pain: Persistent pain without known cause
- Skin changes: Darkening, yellowing, redness, or sores that won't heal
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits: Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Persistent cough or trouble breathing: Especially if coughing up blood
- Difficulty swallowing: Feeling of food sticking in throat
- Hoarseness: Persistent voice changes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising: Without obvious cause
- Lumps or thickening: Anywhere in the body
- Indigestion or discomfort after eating: Persistent digestive issues
- Night sweats or fever: Persistent and unexplained
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that concern you. Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it's important to have them checked out.
Cancer Prevention
While not all cancers can be prevented, research shows that up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle Changes for Prevention
- Don't use tobacco: Smoking is linked to many types of cancer
- Eat healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins
- Maintain healthy weight: Obesity increases risk of many cancers
- Be physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes per week
- Limit alcohol: The more you drink, the higher your cancer risk
- Protect from sun: Use sunscreen, avoid midday sun, don't use tanning beds
- Get vaccinated: HPV and hepatitis B vaccines prevent cancer-causing infections
- Get regular screenings: Early detection improves outcomes
Cancer-Fighting Foods
- Broccoli and cruciferous vegetables: Contain cancer-fighting compounds
- Carrots: Linked to reduced risk of several cancers
- Beans: High in fiber which may protect against colorectal cancer
- Berries: Rich in antioxidants that may reduce cancer risk
- Fatty fish: Omega-3s may reduce cancer risk
- Whole grains: May decrease risk of colorectal cancer
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin with anti-cancer properties
- Green tea: Contains powerful antioxidants
Environmental Risk Reduction
- Avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins like asbestos fibers, benzene, aromatic amines, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Test your home for radon - a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer
- Limit radiation exposure from medical imaging tests when possible
- Reduce exposure to air pollution and secondhand smoke
Cancer Nutrition Guide
Eating a healthy diet can help prevent cancer and support treatment and recovery. These guidelines focus on foods that may help reduce cancer risk or support treatment.
Basic Principles of Cancer Nutrition
- Focus on plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes)
- Choose lean protein sources
- Limit processed and red meats
- Select healthy fats
- Limit added sugars and refined grains
- Stay hydrated with water
- Maintain healthy weight
Cancer-Fighting Foods
- Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, collards (rich in antioxidants)
- Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries (high in antioxidants)
- Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts (contain sulforaphane)
- Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene (may reduce certain cancer risks)
- Fatty fish: Salmon, mackerel (rich in omega-3 fatty acids)
- Nuts: Walnuts, almonds (contain cancer-fighting compounds)
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, peas (high in fiber)
- Green tea: Contains EGCG (powerful antioxidant)
- Garlic: Contains allicin (may have anti-cancer properties)
- Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat (high in fiber)
Sample Meal Plan
| Meal | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Oatmeal with berries and walnuts | Vegetable omelet with whole grain toast |
| Morning Snack | Apple slices with almond butter | Greek yogurt with flaxseeds |
| Lunch | Quinoa salad with mixed vegetables and chickpeas | Grilled salmon with steamed broccoli and brown rice |
| Afternoon Snack | Carrot and celery sticks with hummus | Handful of mixed nuts |
| Dinner | Baked chicken with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato | Lentil soup with kale salad |
| Evening Snack | Green tea with dark chocolate | Berry smoothie with chia seeds |
Foods to Limit or Avoid
- Processed meats: Bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats
- Red meat: Limit to 18 oz cooked per week
- Alcohol: Limit to 1 drink/day for women, 2 for men
- Sugary drinks and foods: Soda, candy, baked goods
- Highly processed foods: Packaged snacks, fast food
- Charred or burnt foods: Can contain carcinogens
Cancer Treatment Options
Cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient's preferences and overall health. Many treatment approaches are available.
Common Cancer Treatments
Surgery
Purpose: Remove cancerous tumor and nearby tissue
Used for: Solid tumors that are contained in one area
Types: Curative, debulking, palliative, preventive
Recovery: Varies by procedure and patient
Radiation Therapy
Purpose: Use high-energy particles to destroy cancer cells
Used for: Localized cancers or to shrink tumors before surgery
Types: External beam, internal (brachytherapy), systemic
Side effects: Fatigue, skin changes, site-specific effects
Chemotherapy
Purpose: Use drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells
Used for: Systemic treatment when cancer has spread
Administration: IV, oral, injection, topical
Side effects: Nausea, hair loss, fatigue, increased infection risk
Targeted Therapy
Purpose: Attack specific cancer cell vulnerabilities
Used for: Cancers with specific genetic markers
Types: Small-molecule drugs, monoclonal antibodies
Advantage: Often fewer side effects than chemo
Immunotherapy
Purpose: Boost immune system to fight cancer
Used for: Certain advanced or hard-to-treat cancers
Types: Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines
Response: Can lead to durable remissions
Hormone Therapy
Purpose: Block hormones that fuel certain cancers
Used for: Breast and prostate cancers primarily
Types: Hormone blockers, hormone production inhibitors
Duration: Often taken for several years
Choosing a Treatment Approach
When considering cancer treatment options, doctors consider several factors:
- Type and stage of cancer: Some treatments work better for specific cancers
- Overall health: Some treatments require good physical condition
- Treatment goals: Cure, control, or palliate symptoms
- Potential side effects: Balance benefits with quality of life
- Personal preferences: Patients' values and priorities matter
Supportive (Palliative) Care
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for cancer patients and their families. It can be provided alongside curative treatment and includes:
- Pain and symptom management
- Emotional and psychological support
- Help with decision-making
- Coordination of care
- Spiritual support
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