This disease is a mass or tumor caused by the grouping of abnormal (or cancerous) cells that begin in the breast tissue. This condition affects one in eight women during their lifetime. While this condition can affect both men and women, it only occurs in men, in about 1% of all cases. There are two forms of this disease including in-situ or noninvasive (non-spreading) and invasive (when the condition has spread to other parts of the body. There are also several components of the breast that may be affected by cancer, for instance, inside the milk ducts (ductal cancer), which occurs in about 80% of breast cancers. Cancer that begins in the lobules is referred to as lobular cancer, which happens in 10-15% of breast cancer cases. Other types of breast cancer that affect a small percentage; can include inflammatory breast cancer, medullary, phyllodes, angiosarcoma, mucinous (colloid) carcinoma, and Paget’s disease, which affects the nipple.

New treatments are constantly being developed, which has increased the survival rate tremendously. Advancements have been made in well-known treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Herceptin, and surgery. Depending on the progression of the tumor, if surgery is performed, the doctor may decide to perform a particular surgery. The doctor may determine that removal of the breast would effectively remove the cancer; this is referred to as a masectomy.

Alternatively, the doctor may opt to perform surgery to remove the lump, which is referred to as a lumpectomy.
Some of the symptoms of breast cancer can include a lump located in or around the breast, changes in the breast such as, size or shape, unusual nipple discharge, change in texture or color on or around the breast. Certain conditions can put a person more at risk of developing breast cancer. These factors that raise your breast cancer risk can include personal and family medical history; gender – mainly occurring in women; age – risk increases with age and typically happens in women over 35; ethnic background – this condition tends to occur most often in white women and those with an Asian descent are less prone to risk; diet-related risks; 4+ years taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT); changes in the environment; and other factors, as well.

Raise your awareness and lower your risk, as well, by keeping yourself informed about the breast cancer symptoms, treatments, and risks.

Cervical cancer refers to a tumor located on a woman’s reproductive organ, otherwise known as the cervix. The cervix is the narrow part of the woman’s uterus that leads to the vagina. The cancer cells for this type of cancer tend to develop slowly, therefore, this disease takes time to become fully developed. In fact, prior to the cancer developing, the tissues located in the cervix begin to change and abnormalities in the cells start to appear; this is referred to as dysplasia. In many cases, a sexually transmitted infection known as, HPV can play a part in the development of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is common in women; therefore, it can be easily treated, as well.

In the early stages, this form of cancer generally does not show signs or symptoms, which is why regular screening is so helpful. During the more progressed stages of the disease, the symptoms start to appear. These symptoms can include unusual bleeding (after intercourse, in between periods, or after entering menopause); bloody, water discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor; pelvic pain; or pain during intercourse. While some of these symptoms may be related to other issues and may not necessarily indicate cervical cancer, if you are experiencing unusual bleeding in between periods or experience pain during intercourse, it is important to schedule an appointment with the doctor, right away.

A pap smear is an effective screening testing method of identifying cervical cancer in the early stages. Girls ages 13 to 15 should begin having yearly appointments with the Gynecologist or nurse practitioner in order to discuss sexual activity, perform a pap smear or screening for cervical cancer, and learn how to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as, HPV .
There are several cervical cancer causes or risk factors that may increase the risk of this form of cancer including having several sexual partners, early sexual activity, STDs, low immune system, and cigarette smoking, to name a few cervical cancer causes and risk factors. Regular Pap smear tests are one of the best methods of detecting cervical cancer and these should be performed by a Gynecologist every one to three years.

Treatment depends upon the staging of the cancer. Some of the noninvasive cervical cancer treatment options include cone biopsy (conization), laser surgery, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (or LEEP), cryosurgery, and hysterectomy. Invasive treatment options include removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Successful treatment options are available, especially if this form of cancer is detected early, therefore it is important to watch the symptoms of cervical cancer and contact your doctor right away if you notice any of the signs.

The term colon cancer refers to a clustering or a mass of cancerous cells (adenomatous polyps), which forms a tumor that is located on the large intestine (colon). Rectal cancer is similar to this form; however, rectal is cancer that is located in the lower portion of the colon. Moreover, because they are so similar, these two cancers are commonly linked and referred to as colorectal cancers. Regular screenings are recommended to prevent polyps from becoming cancerous.

The colon cancer symptoms can appear in several different forms including diarrhea and constipation lasting for more than two weeks, blood in stool or rectal bleeding, cramps, gas, pain in the abdomen, bowels never feeling completely empty, weakness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms vary depending upon the colon cancer stage and typically, symptoms do not appear until the later stages of the disease. If you notice blood in the stool or a change in bowel movements, schedule an appointment with the doctor. Generally, doctors recommend regular colon cancer screenings to begin at age 50, however, for those who have a family history of colon cancer or are facing other risk factors, the doctor may want to perform screening more often.

The exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, however, what we do know about the disease is that it occurs when the cells are not growing, dividing, and dying properly and this causes overgrowth, resulting in polyps or a growth. In addition, sometimes, after time has passed these improperly functioning cells become cancerous.

Treatment methods for colon cancer may vary depending upon the stage of the disease. The most common colon cancer treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In the early stages, the cancerous polyps may be removed during a colonoscopy or laparoscopic surgery may be used for larger polyps. If the cancer has reached the invasive stage, a colectomy may be recommended along with the removal of the lymph nodes in the area to see if the cancer has spread. In the invasive stage, a permanent or temporary colostomy may be used to cure the cancer. If the cancer is in the advanced stages, you may need an operation to remove blockage (palliative surgery), which relieves the symptoms.

Watch for the colon cancer signs mentioned in this article and if you notice any of these symptoms, contact a doctor right away.

The term liver cancer refers to an abnormal or cancerous cell growth that begins in the liver. This abnormal growth leads to a build-up of tissue mass, which results in a tumor in the liver. The liver is an organ that is about the size of a football and is located in the upper right side of the abdomen just below the diaphragm and above the stomach. Sometimes, this disease is known to spread to other parts of the body such as the colon, lung, or breast. Spreading of this form of cancer is common and this is referred to as metastatic liver cancer.

During the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are not noticeable, but as the disease progresses, so do the symptoms. These signs and symptoms can include unexplained weight loss, appetite loss, pain in the upper abdominal area, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, swelling of the liver and abdominal area, and experiencing a yellowing of the eyes and skin (also referred to as, jaundice). These symptoms tend to worsen if the condition persists or is left untreated. Therefore, it is important to contact a doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms or you have concerns regarding liver cancer.

In many cases, the exact cause of this condition is unknown; however, in certain forms of this disease the specific cause can be identified. However, certain risk factors exist that make an individual more susceptible to this type of disease. Men are more likely to be affected by this condition than women are. Others who are more at risk are those between the ages of 20 and 50, those with a chronic infection (hepatitis B or C), those affected by obesity, cirrhosis or those with a personal or family history of liver disease, those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, and those who suffer from diabetes.
Various treatment options are used to treat cancer of the liver including surgery (partial hepatectomy), performing a liver transplant, freezing or heating cancer cells (cryoablation/radiofrequency ablation), alcohol injection, chemotherapy injections, radiation treatments, or targeted drug therapy.

This common form of cancer can be caused by several factors and conditions. Learn more about this condition in order to find ways of prevention and helpful treatment options for those who have been diagnosed with liver cancer. We hope that this has been an informative article regarding the signs and symptoms of liver cancer, the cause of this condition, and some helpful treatment options, as well.

This form of cancer is located in the respiratory organs referred to as, the lungs. The lungs enable the intake of oxygen and output of carbon dioxide. Those people who are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer are those who smoke. Frequent smoking raises the risk; however, quitting smoking can greatly reduce the risk of being affected by lung cancer. However, despite the common misconception, lung cancer can occur in individuals who have never smoked and may have never been exposed to secondhand smoke before.

Typically, symptoms do not appear throughout the early small cell lung cancer stage. However, as the condition progresses (especially when left untreated) the symptoms begin to appear and seem to worsen with time. The symptoms of specific form of cancer includes chest pain, cough, wheezing, bloody phlegm, shortness of breath, appetite loss coupled with weight loss, difficulty swallowing, facial swelling, fever, voice hoarseness, and weakness. It is too important to identify the signs and consult your physician right away, if you are concerned about any symptoms.

The doctor will determine the type of lung cancer by examining the cells under a microscope, where he or she determines whether the patient is affected by either small cell lung or the non-small cell form of the disease. There are three types of small cell cancer of lung including, small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer), mixed (small cell or large cell carcinoma), and combined small cell carcinoma. The majority of SCLCs are oat cell cancer. Small cell lung cancer is not as common as those being affected by the non-small cell lung form and it occurs most often in chronic smokers.

You will need to set up an appointment to talk to a doctor that you can trust about your treatment options. The doctor takes into consideration the type of cancer, the small cell lung cancer stage of the disease, and other considerations, to determine the most powerful combination that offers the least side effects. Treatment options might include a combination of one or more treatments such as, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or targeted drug therapy, as well.

We have listed several helpful treatment options, schedule an appointment with the doctor to determine which method will work best for your specific case. Early detection can prevent the spreading or metastasis of this cancer by treating the first signs of the disease. We hope that by reading the information above, you will be better informed about identifying the symptoms lung cancer.

The term ovarian cancer refers to abnormal cell growth that is located in the female reproductive organs, referred to as the ovaries. Many of the ovarian cancer signs may be easily confused with other conditions because the symptoms are very similar with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress, or depression. The symptoms of this disease are steady and tend to progressively worsen over time. Symptoms that are common of ovarian cancer include bloating, pressure, or swelling in the abdominal area; bladder weakness resulting in an abrupt need to urinate; as well as pain or discomfort in the pelvic area. Other signs may include a person experiencing gas, nausea, or indigestion on a regular basis; change in bowel consistency, including constipation or diarrhea; frequent urination; appetite loss; painful intercourse (dyspareunia); lower back pain; chronic fatigue; and sudden menstrual changes.

If you are experiencing pain in the abdomen or stomach lasting longer than a week, consult your doctor right away. If you have previously visited the doctor and it was determined ovarian cancer was not the cause, but you are still experiencing persistent symptoms, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion. Talk to your Gynecologist about regular screenings, especially if you have a history of ovarian cancer in your family.

Treatment of this type of cancer is dependent upon the advancement of the ovarian cancer stage; however, common treatments include a combination of chemotherapy along with surgery performed by a Gynecologic Oncologist. This surgery involves removal of the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and both of the ovaries. Many times this surgery will include additional removal of nearby lymph nodes and fatty abdominal tissue to determine whether the cancerous cells have spread to other parts of the body. Side effects from the chemotherapy can include severe and/or persistent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is being used by doctors to fight this form of cancer. And new chemotherapy drugs, vaccines, immunotherapy, and gene therapy drugs are being tested everyday. One of the newest methods of treatment is the drug called Avastin (bevacizumab).

Receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is difficult, however, with recent medical advancements; helpful treatments are available to provide hope for those affected by this disease. Ovarian cancer has an incredibly high survival rate, when diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. The good news is that it is estimated that 93% of women who have recognized and treated the ovarian cancer symptoms in the early stages will live for longer than five years after being diagnosed.

This type of cancer originates in the prostate – part of the man’s reproductive organs. The prostate is a walnut size gland that makes seminal fluid for nourishing and transporting the sperm. Many times, this is a slow progressing cancer; therefore, if it is identified and diagnosed early, the outlook or prognosis will be much better. Cancerous tumors left untreated, can continue to worsen and can spread to other parts of the body, which is referred to as a metastatic tumor. Those over 50 should ask their doctor about regular prostate exam screenings.

Treatment can depend on a number of different factors including the growth and possible metastasis of the cancer, the overall health of the individual, and with consideration in regards to the side effects of the treatment. One of the more common treatments is prostate cancer radiation therapy using either, external beam radiation (EBRT) or brachytherapy. Both of these methods of radiation therapy can be effective methods of treatment, however, side effects can occur throughout the treatments. Side effects can include frequent or painful urination, an abrupt feeling of the need to urinate, rectal symptoms including pain from bowel movements, loose stools, even erectile dysfunction can occur.

Another effective method of treatment is hormone therapy. Hormone therapies that may be used include medications that stop testosterone from being produced in the body (LH-RH – Lupron, Eligard, Zoladex, Trelstar, Vantas, and Firmagon). Sometimes medications may be taken along with LH-RH drugs that prevent the testosterone from fueling the cancer cells even further (anti-androgens – Casodex and Nilandron). Moreover, the doctor may opt for prostate cancer surgery to remove the testicles (orchiectomy). Some side effects of hormone therapy may include loss of bone and muscle mass, lower sex drive, unexplained weight gain, hot flashes, and erectile dysfunction. These hormone therapy medications may also increase the risk of heart disease, including heart attack.

It is important to pay attention to the warning signs of the disease. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact a doctor right away. Some of the symptoms include difficulty urinating, lowered pressure in the stream of urine, blood in urine, swelling in the legs, pain or discomfort in the pelvis, or bone pain. We hope that by reading this article, you have been provided some helpful insight regarding the prostate cancer symptoms and other relevant information that you need to be aware of.

Now, we will discuss some of the facts about the disease referred to as cancer. There are more than 100 parts of the body that can be affected by cancer. Some of the most common forms of cancer include skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate, colon, and lung cancer. Cancer is the second cause of deaths in the United States, however, in recent years medical advancements have been made towards faster detection, accurate diagnosis, and helpful treatment options that will help to bring a cure.

The condition known as cancer refers to a number of related diseases that begin by growing in the cells. In order to understand this condition, you need to know what takes place when the body’s cells become cancerous. This happens when the cells are not forming properly and begin to form a tissue mass that is referred to as a growth or tumor. The term tumor does not necessarily mean cancerous, it can be a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor. Occasionally, these tumors or growths can spread to other organs, which is referred to as metastasis (or spreading of cancer to other parts of the body).

Common signs and symptoms of cancer can include a lump in the breast or other part of the body (can also be a wart or mole) that may have just developed and is getting thicker, sores that do not heal, a chronic cough or hoarseness of the voice (possible lung cancer symptoms), a noticeable change in bladder habits or bowel movements, chronic indigestion or trouble swallowing, unexplained weight gain or loss, and bleeding or discharge. Some forms of cancer may not show signs until it is in its advanced form for instance, lung cancer symptoms such as, chronic cough, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, bone pain and headache, don’t tend to show up until the final stages of this type of cancer.

The treatment strategy for cancer depends upon the form and the stage of the disease, as well. Generalized treatment options for cancer can include biological therapy (prescription medications and other supplements or medications), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or biopsy surgery – to remove the tumor. Sometimes these helpful treatment methods can cause damage to the body (cells and tissues), which often results in side effects. Contact a doctor right away, so that you can weigh the options and determine the best treatments.

There is a lot that we still do not know about cancer, however, in recent years, medical technologies have changed the way we look at this disease. Possible treatments are being discovered every year and soon there will be a cure. Talk to your doctor about the risks for breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and others and discuss the steps of prevention, as well.

For more information visit: Ovarian Cancer – Symptoms of Cancer