1. General Health Conditions

Cancer

With cancer, body cells become abnormal, grow out of control, and are or become malignant (harmful). Cancer is a leading cause of death in the U.S. About 1 in 4 of all deaths in the U.S. is due to cancer.



Signs & Symptoms

Cancer can be present without any signs or symptoms. As different types of cancers grow, warning signs (see below) may occur. These could be due to problems other than cancer, too. See your doctor to find out. Pain does not usually occur in early stages of cancer.

Genes for some cancers run in families.

For Bladder Cancer

  1. •Blood in the urine. The color of the urine can be deep red or it can be a faint rust or smokey color.

  2. •Pain when passing urine. The need to urinate often or urgently.


For Colon and Rectal Cancers

  1. •A change in bowel habits.

  2. •Constipation. Having stools more often and/or loose stools. Stools that are more narrow than usual. A feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.

  3. •Blood in or on the stool. This can be bright red or very dark in color.

  4. •Stomach bloating, fullness, and/or cramps. Frequent gas pains.

  5. •Weight loss for no known reason. Constant tiredness.


For Kidney Cancer

  1. •Blood in the urine.

  2. •A dull ache or pain in the back or side. A lump or mass that can be felt in the kidney area (mid back).

  3. •An unexplained cough for more than 3 weeks.


For Lung Cancer

  1. •A cough that doesn’t go away. This could be a “smoker’s cough” that gets worse. Coughing up blood.

  2. •Constant chest pain. Back pain in some persons.

  3. •Hoarseness. Shortness of breath and wheezing.

  4. •Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis.

  5. •Fatigue, appetite loss, and weight loss.

  6. •Weakness in a shoulder, an arm, or a hand.


For Throat Cancer

  1. •Hoarseness or other changes in the voice.

  2. •A lump on the neck or feeling of a lump in the throat.

  3. •A cough that doesn’t go away.

  4. •A hard time swallowing. A feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning when swallowing.

  5. •Repeated indigestion and heartburn. Frequent vomiting or choking on food.

  6. •Pain behind the breastbone or in the throat.


When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is called metastasis.



Causes

Cancer could result from a mix of: Viruses, a person’s genetic makeup and immune status, and other risk factors. These include:

  1. •Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, nuclear radiation, X-rays, and radon.

  2. •Use of tobacco and/or alcohol.

  3. •Polluted air and water.

  4. •Dietary factors, such as a high-fat diet, the use of nitrates and nitrites in cured meats, etc.

  5. •Exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, benzenes, vinyl chloride, etc.



Treatment

In many cases, cancer can be cured, especially when it is found and treated early.


Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage it is in, and the body’s response to treatment. In general, this includes: Surgery; radiation; and/or chemotherapy. Biological therapy, hormonal therapy, and stem cell or bone marrow transplants may be used to treat some cancers.

Is any cancer warning sign present?

Self-Care / Prevention

  1. •Medical treatment, not self-care, is needed to treat cancer. Follow your doctor’s guidelines.

  2. •Do regular self-exams as advised.

  3. •Get routine tests that can help detect early signs of cancer. (See Tests & What They Are For.)

  4. •Do not smoke or use tobacco products. Avoid secondhand smoke. Limit exposure to asbestos, radon, pesticides, and herbicides.

  5. •Have X-rays only when necessary. Limit exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

  6. •Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.

  7. •Consume salt-cured, salt-pickled, and smoked foods only in moderation.

  8. •rink alcoholic beverages only in moderation, if at all.

  9. •Reduce stress. Emotional stress may weaken the immune system which fights off stray cancer cells.

Questions to Ask