Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer among women. It is not something that anyone wants, but unfortunately many women get breast cancer in their life. So what are some tips for staying breast cancer free? There are a few main tips that every woman should follow when she is trying to stay breast cancer free. These can also be used for men, as men can get breast cancer, it's just not as common.
While most people underestimate the danger and the seriousness of skin cancer, the most serious forms of skin cancer can be fatal.
There are several types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell.
Melanoma is the most serious and the most deadly form of cancer, though it is not the most
common form of cancer. It can be almost 100 percent curable if it is caught in the early stages of the cancer. However, if the melanoma is not caught in time, it can spread to other parts of the body. Once the cancer has spread-or metastasized-it is much, much more difficult to treat and to cure, and is often times fatal. According to estimates made by the American Cancer Society, in 2007 8,110 people will die of melanoma skin cancer: 5,220 men will die of melanoma, and 2,800 women will die of it in the United States. Further, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007 almost 60,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed. Of these 60,000 new cases, almost 40,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in men, and about 26,000 will be diagnosed in women.
It seems like now more than ever cancer and cancer prevention are on the minds of more and more people. Did you know that over 10 million cases of cancer are diagnosed annually worldwide! It is estimated that that number can grow by 50% if people do not start doing things to reduce their risks.
Below are some suggestions and tips to reduce your chances of getting cancer. Although not all factors that contribute to cancer are preventable, you can do many things to greatly reduce your risk.
Avoid smoking - Smoking is a danger that we are all aware of. For those who smoke, quitting will reduce their risk factor for getting cancer more than any other action will. Smokers need to worry about more than just lung cancer; smoking can increase the risk of several other cancers as well. Not only is a smoker putting himself at risk but he is putting those around him a risk too. Exposure to second hand smoke can cause cancer also.
Undoubtedly after receiving a cancer diagnosis you have a lot of thoughts running through your mind. You are probably scared and unsure of what will happen next. Hopefully you have a doctor that you can trust who will be willing to walk you through the whole process. Perhaps that most important thing to do at this critical time in your life is to be positive and informed. The body reacts negatively to negative emotions. For example, we have all heard of the effects that stress can have on the body. You're cancer diagnosis is negative news for sure, but a positive attitude will not only help you emotionally but physically as well. Below are a few suggestions of questions that you may want to ask your doctor after receiving your cancer diagnosis. Of course there are no wrong questions and you should always feel free to talk openly with your doctor about any concerns that you have or about any treatments that you are unsure about.
How serious is it?
Naturally one of the first answers you will want to have is how serious your diagnosis is. You know that early detection improves your chances for fighting the cancer. You will probably want to know how aggressive your treatment is going to be. You are looking for what to expect in the immediate future and how to best adapt not only your life but the life of your family to accommodate for the time that you will need to devote to fighting your cancer.
"Questions to ask your doctor after being diagnosed with cancer" »
Research has uncovered that it is true that some cancers are genetic. Or rather, the gene that increases the risk factor of developing cancer can be inherited. This means that your likelihood of getting a cancer that is considered genetic is going to be higher than a person who does not have cancer in their family. Levels of increased risk to vary and not all cancers are genetic. You are not automatically sentenced to develop a cancer just because your aunt, grandma, or dad did. There are many other variables to consider before doctors determine a diagnosis. The first step to knowing if you are going to be in more danger of getting cancer is to be aware of the health history of your family.
Knowledge is power
Knowing your family history of cancer is very important in aiding the proper assessment of risk factors for certain types of cancer. Knowing your family's cancer history allows you the freedom to make more informed decisions about your healthcare. Foe example, you may choose to participate in multiple screenings for a cancer that runs in your family or to receive more specific testing beyond standard procedures in order to catch a cancer at its earliest stages. Knowing that you have increased risks can steer you in the direction of obtaining genetic testing and counseling. These methods can assist you in finding out if you carry a gene that has been mutated. It is a mutated gene that increases your risk factor for cancer. But keep in mind that even inheriting a mutated gene does not necessarily mean that person will develop cancer.
"One of my parents just got diagnosed with cancer. Am I in more danger of getting cancer?" »
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