cancer

Which Cancers Take the Most Lives?

Cancer Word Spelled on Scrabble Tiles
 care for cancer has advanced greatly. There are many treatments available, some even providing cures. There’s much more to be done. Cancer is still the leading cause of death in America. The number 2 cause of death in America is still cancer, just behind heart disease. Are you aware of the most deadly cancers and which can be treated?

5. Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Text

U.S. deaths in 2020: 33.330

Is it common? It is sporadic. 1 in 9 men will develop this type of cancer.

What makes a man more at risk? After age 50, prostate cancer is more common in men. It is more common in older men than 65. Experts don’t know why it’s more common in African-Americans than whites or Asians.

It is possible to pass it on through generations to the next generation. It can also be caused by gene mutations. According to the American Cancer Society, men who consume a lot of red meat and high-fat dairy foods (and fewer fruits and vegetables) are slightly more likely than others to develop it.

Do screening tests exist? Yes. Talk to your doctor about the screening tests you need and when they should be done.A blood test might be done to check for elevated levels of PSA (prostate-specific antigen).

Your doctor might request a digital rectal exam if they are concerned about your results. This involves inserting a gloved finger in the anus to feel the prostate for any hardness, lumpiness, or abnormalities. A prostate biopsy might be performed by a specialist urologist. This uses a small needle (or “biopsy”) to collect a sample of the area to test for cancer. To examine the potential tumor, they may use MRI.

What’s the outlook if you have it? It is very good to catch the disease early. Nearly all men live five years after being diagnosed with early-stage prostate carcinoma. It grows slowly and remains in the same place it began. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body if it is spreading rapidly. The odds of it being found are not as good if it spreads beyond the prostate. This cancer kills 72% of those men within five years.

What research are scientists doing? It is important to detect prostate cancer while it is still in its early stages. It is possible to detect prostate cancer early by using a PSA test. However, doctors use blood, urine, and genetic testing to determine which cancers pose the greatest risk to their patients so that they can adjust their treatment plans.

4. Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Spelled with Scrabble Tiles

U.S. deaths in 2019: 47.050

Is it common? It is about 1 in 67 people who get it.

What factors put people at risk?

Do routine screening tests exist? It can be difficult to identify cancer in its early stages. The problem is not only in the location. Your pancreas can be found deep within your abdomen. You might not be able to feel any growths or lumps in your pancreas because it is hard to feel.

What is the outlook? Cancer usually spreads by the time the symptoms are apparent. Only 6% of pancreatic cancer patients live longer than five years after diagnosis. However, every person is unique and doctors cannot predict who will live as long as they do.

What is the research going on? Scientists are looking for gene tests that can screen families affected by the disease.

There are also new drugs in development. Some drugs are designed to prevent the spread of cancer cells. Other medications would train the immune system in how to fight cancer.

3. Breast Cancer

Woman Holding Pink Ribbon

U.S. deaths in 2020: 42 170How common it is? About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast carcinoma. Men can get it, too. It’s less likely than 1 in 1000.What is putting people at risk? It’s not just gender. Age is also important. The most common form of breast cancer occurs after menopause.

This disease is more common if you:

  • It runs in your family.
  • Certain gene mutations can occur.
  • You’re obese.
  • You can drink alcohol.
  • Your breasts are full.
  • Your first period was at or before the age of 11.
  • You started menopause late.
  • If you are a woman who has never had a baby, or if you have had your first pregnancy after 35 years of age,
  • You have taken “combination” hormonal replacement therapy.
  • Radiation has been used on you.

Is there a screening test? Mammography is the most important test for diagnosing possible breast cancers. To further examine the condition, doctors may use MRI and ultrasound.

A lump in your breast is very common. Don’t worry if you have a lump in your breast. Breast lumps are often not indicative of cancer. To identify the reason it is recommended to seek the advice of a doctor. A biopsy is a procedure where the doctor takes a small sample of your body to check for cancer. Experts aren’t always right about the timing of mammograms. Digital and 3-D mammograms could be more accurate in detecting cancers in women who are younger or have dense breasts. While this is a significant step forward, it remains to be determined if it will save any lives.The best thing for a woman is to speak with her doctor about how often she needs to be checked and then make an appointment.

What’s the outlook if you do get it? Just like other cancers, it’s better to find it early. Nearly all of the women who are diagnosed with stage I breast cancer live to 5 years after their diagnosis. 93% of stage II and III breast cancer patients are still alive, 72% of stage III survivors, and 22% of stage IV patients. More breast cancer survivors than ever before.

What are scientists doing? Some breast cancers spread or grow faster than others. These cancers are more difficult to treat than other types. New treatments could target genes in tumors.

2. Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer Text

U.S. deaths in 2020: 53,000. It is extremely common. Colorectal cancer is a common form of cancer that affects about 1 in 20 Americans.What is putting people at risk? One reason is age. As you age, your chances of developing colon carcinoma increase. It’s more common if you are a smoker, have more than three drinks per day, have a family history of colon cancer, and you have a family history.

Is there a screening test? Yes. If you find it early enough through a colonoscopy or other screening tests, your chances of survival are high.

However, many people do not get these tests. Only half of the colon cancers can be detected early. Over a third (33%) of Americans over 50 aren’t current on their screenings. What’s the outlook for colorectal cancer? More than 90% of people who are diagnosed with it live at least five years.
 This cancer could be detected earlier with new tests that can look for specific genes in colon tumors. One promising treatment is cancer vaccines that “train” your immune system to attack cancer cells. These vaccines are effective in treating cancer but not in preventing it. What are scientists currently working on? One of the main goals is to predict which colorectal carcinomas will spread. Doctors are also researching new chemo drugs. Robotic surgery, in which a surgeon directs robotic arms capable of doing precise work, is also possible.

1. Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Text

U.S. deaths in 2020: 135,720

How common is it?  About one in 15 men gets lung cancer. So do about 1 in 17 women. It is usually found in those 65 years and older.

The top reason for people being at risk is Smoking It is possible to inhale the smoke of others (” secondhand smoking”). It’s also more common if the virus runs in your family. Although lung cancer is more common in people with HIV, experts aren’t sure why.

Do screening tests exist? No, doctors do not recommend routine screening. Medicare and some insurance now cover yearly CT lung scans for those 55-77 who smoke heavily (or have been in the past 15 years) but don’t have any symptoms. Check your plan for details. What’s the outlook for someone who has it? It’s easier to treat early than other types of cancer. It depends on the type of lung cancer that you have. Only 17% of those diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive five years later. However, this number is not the complete story.
The majority of those with cancer that is “local” means it hasn’t spread are still alive five years later. It can spread to other parts of the body, but not too far. Around 25% are still living after five years.4 percent of people with lung cancer have lived at least 5 years.

That’s the whole picture. Different people may experience different symptoms from the same disease. Ask your doctor about what to expect when you begin treatment.What is the research going on? Could new medicines help to stop the disease from spreading? Some boost the immune system’s ability to fight certain lung cancers. Ask your doctor about clinical trials that you might be able to join. Ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials you could join.

 

 

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