| BASIC
DEFINITION |
Uncontrolled
growth of cells derived from normal tissues. These cells
have the ability to disrupt function and/or cause death
by essentially "choking off" healthy cells--through
spread to distant sites in the body (metastasis) and/or
by local spread. |
|
|
| CAUSES |
May
be caused by various chemicals, viruses, and physical
agents such as ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light.
Some items definitely linked to cancer have been named
"carcinogens" ("cancer-causing").
The most notable of the carcinogens are the chemicals
contained in tobacco products. Lifestyle factors such
as high dietary fat intake and low fiber intake can also
play a role. |
|
|
| TYPES |
[This
list is not all-inclusive]
- Bladder
- Breast
- Colorectal
- Liver
- Lung
- Oral
- Ovary
- Pancreas
- Prostate
- Skin
- Stomach
- Testicular
- Thyroid
- Uterine
|
|
|
| SYMPTOMS |
Most easily
remembered by the acronym:
C-A-U-T-I-O-N
- Change
in bowel or bladder habits
- A
sore that does not heal
- Unusual
bleeding or discharge
- Thickening
or lump in breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion
or difficulty in swallowing
- Obvious
change in wart or mole
- Nagging
cough or hoarsness
|
|
|
|
DIAGNOSIS
/ SCREENING
Consult
your health care provider about appropriate screening
for your age, sex, and history
|
|
MEN
|
WOMEN
|
| Sigmoidoscopy |
Sigmoidoscopy |
| Fecal
occult blood test |
Fecal
occult blood test |
| Digital
rectal examination |
Digital
rectal examination |
| Prostate
exam |
|
|
Pap
test |
|
Pelvic
exam |
|
Endometrial
tissue sample |
|
Breast
self-examination |
|
Breast
clinical examination |
|
Mammography |
| Health
counseling and cancer checkup |
Health
counseling and cancer checkup |
|
| |
|
| MEDICAL
MALPRACTICE OCCURRENCES |
Misdiagnosis
Delay in
diagnosis
|
| |
|
| FOR
MORE INFORMATION |
The
American Cancer Society
National
Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute
|
