If ovarian cancer is found early on, it can be treated more effectively. Learn to recognize the symptoms.
Posts tagged "cancer"
Learn how to prevent this dangerous cancer, and how to do preventative self-exams.
Smoking Increases Risk For Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of cases of lung cancer. Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, and increases the risk for many other types of cancer. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get or die from lung cancer than people who don’t smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the higher the risk.
For help quitting smoking, call toll-free 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit smokefree.gov.
Secondhand Smoke
Smoke from other people’s cigarettes (secondhand smoke) causes lung cancer as well. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which cause cancer in people or animals.
Every year, about 3,000 nonsmokers die from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke.
Recognize Warning Signs to Prevent Gynecologic Cancers
Gynecologic cancers start in a woman’s reproductive organs. The five main types of gynecologic cancer are cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.
Each gynecologic cancer has different symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies. All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers, and risk increases with age. When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.
Pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you. If you notice any unexplained symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.
Prevention and Screening
Some gynecologic cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. A vaccine protects against the HPV types that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It’s recommended for 11- and 12-year-old girls.
Of all the gynecologic cancers, only cervical cancer has a screening test—the Pap test—that can find this cancer early. It is especially important to recognize warning signs, and learn if there are things you can do to reduce your risk. If you have a low income or don’t have health insurance, you may qualify for a free or low-cost Pap test through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
How To Decide If Prostate Cancer Screening is Right For You
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Men have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer if they’re 50 years old or older, are African-American, or have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer.
Screening
Currently, there is not enough credible evidence to decide if the potential benefit of prostate cancer screening outweighs the potential risks. The potential benefit of prostate cancer screening is finding cancer early, which may make treatment more effective. Potential risks of screening include false positive test results (the test says you have cancer when you don’t), treatment of prostate cancers that may never affect your health, and side effects from treatment.
Informed Decision Making
Is prostate cancer screening right for you? Talk to your doctor to learn the nature and risk of prostate cancer and the benefits and risks of the screening tests. Then make a decision consistent with your preferences and values.
