What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow and change at an abnormal rate. Cancer can start anywhere in the body, and the cancerous cells can spread and move anywhere else throughout the body. Keeping reading to learn more about different types of cancer, preventative measures, and treatment options.
These are the most common types of cancer widely diagnosed in the United States each year. Click each picture to go to a website about each of these different types of cancer.
Here are some signs/symptoms that you should be aware of that may indicate that you have cancer:
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Dramatic weight loss for no known reason
- Problems with eating such as trouble swallowing or not feeling hungry
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Swelling or lumps anywhere on the body
- New areas of pain that do not go away or get better
- Skin changes such as moles, spots, or sores
- Cough that does not go away
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Vision or hearing problems
- Headaches
- Mouth pain, sores, or numbness
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, here are some preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk for cancer:
Do not smoke or use tobacco; tobacco has been linked to many types of cancers
Eat a healthy diet; eat fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight, drink alcohol in moderation, and limit the amount of processed foods that you consume
Stay physically active; try to meet the weekly activity guidelines for your age group
Protect yourself from the sun; avoid the sun in the middle of the day when the rays are the strongest, stay in the shade when outside for long periods of time, and wear hats or long clothing to cover sensitive areas of the skin
Use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to protect yourself from sun damage and avoid the use of tanning beds or sunlamps
Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and HPV as both of these infections can increase your risk for cancer
Get regular medical care; schedule annual physicals and stay up to date on doctor visits
