What You Need To Know

Objectives What is cancer? Facts and statistics Most common cancers Lifestyle and cancer risks Signs and symptoms Prevention Resources

Understanding Cancer What is cancer? Cancer is a disease where there is a rapid growth of abnormal cells. Normal cells follow a process of growth, division and death but cancer cells do not follow this process and continue to divide and spread to nearby tissues. Many cancers form solid tumors or masses of tissue and they are referred to as malignant. If cancer spreads to distant sites in the body it is said to have metastasized. It is caused by changes to the genes that control the way our cells function, grow and divide.

Important Facts & Stats Understanding Cancer Important Facts & Stats Cancer risk rises significantly with age and it is thought that there is an inability for the cells to repair themselves as one gets older. Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There are approximately 14 million new cases yearly. In 2012, there were 8.2 million cancer related deaths. The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades.

10 Most Common Cancers Worldwide Lung Breast Colorectal Prostate Stomach 6. Liver Cervix Esophagus Bladder Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Most common sites of cancer (2012) Men: Lung, Prostate, Colorectal, Stomach, Liver Women: Breast, Colorectal, Lung, Cervix, Stomach ***Statistics from World Cancer Research Fund International

Risk Factors Although it is not possible to know why some develop cancer and others do not, there are many risk factors and behaviors that have been identified or suspected to increase one’s chance of developing cancer. Some are avoidable, while others are not. Age Alcohol consumption Chronic inflammation Diet Environmental exposures Hormones Immunosuppression Infectious agents Obesity Radiation Sunlight Tobacco Increased age, exposure to known carcinogenic substances like asbestos, post menopausal hormone replacement, Hep B/HPV exposure and DNA damage from chronic inflammation have all been linked to increasing one’s chance of getting cancer.

Risk Factors Top 5 behavioral and dietary risks High Body Mass Index (BMI) Lack of physical activity Low fruit and vegetable intake Tobacco use Alcohol use These risks are responsible for approximately one third of cancer deaths and can all be avoided!

Prevention Discuss your individual health risks and recommendations with your healthcare provider. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Maintain a healthy weight and keep your BMI at 18.5-25. Exercise regularly, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (or a combination of the two) each week. Get plenty of rest. Follow a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables. Protect your skin from the sun and avoid tanning beds.

More Prevention Tips Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. Avoid exposure to chemicals and substances that have been shown to increase cancer risk. Check with your healthcare provider about Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines, to see if these are recommended. See your doctor yearly for routine check ups and discuss recommendations for cancer screening.

Screening Tests Why screening tests and self-exams Treatment is most successful when cancer is detected early, prior to the start of symptoms. Cancer screening guidelines vary. Talk to your healthcare provider about current recommendations. Screening tests include colonoscopy, mammograms, pap smears, blood test for PSA (prostate screening antigen) and manual prostate exam. Self-exams should be performed on the breasts, testicles and skin, these help with early detection.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer Cancer can cause almost any sign or symptom, depending on where it is located, how large the tumor is and how much it affects the organs or tissues. Sometimes cancer may not cause symptoms until it has advanced and grown large. Many illnesses and medical conditions have similar signs and symptoms so sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate or identify without medical tests. It is very important to make an appointment with your healthcare professional if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that concern you.

Generalized Symptoms Fatigue Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles Changes in bowel or bladder habits Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats Unexplained bleeding or bruising Persistent cough or trouble breathing Difficulty swallowing Hoarseness World Health Organization (WHO)

Diagnosis & Treatment When a suspicious sign, symptom or finding is identified, your healthcare provider must determine if it is cancer. This multistep process often includes medical exams, labs, imaging, biopsy and additional testing for a diagnosis. Each case of cancer may require a different treatment plan, depending on various factors. The goal of treatment is to eradicate cancer and prolong life. Some types of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other therapies. These factors include: individual’s health status, site of cancer, staging, and how early it was detected will help determine the course

Cancer Support Questions and concerns when diagnosed It is important to have open communication/discussions with the healthcare team, experts say being well-informed may lead to better outcomes. Recommendations for support groups and available resources in the area are helpful for both the individual and caregivers. Knowing about your diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and insurance coverage can help guide you through your journey, help answer questions you may have, provide support and help with coping.

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Resources American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org Photo Credits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Human_genetics.jpg http://www.savvypatient.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/health-studies.jpg www.bing.com/images/search?q=alcohol+use&go=Submit&qs=n&form=QBILPG&pq=alcohol+use&sc=8-11&sp=-1&sk= www.cancersanctuary.org www.science.education.nih.gov www.medicalnewstoday.com www.cafepress.co.uk www.sri.com http://www.ipfnigeria.com/events/CANCER-PREVENTION-AND-SCREENING.ppsx www.fergusonvalues.com http://health.wordpress.clevelandclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/12/apple-hand.jpg http://www.iflscience.com/ http://www.rva.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/older-people1.jpg American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/ National Institutes of Health, www.nih.gov Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/cancer/basics/definition/con-20032378 World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/en/ World Cancer Research Fund International, http://www.wcrf.org/