Cancer

Cancer is a term used for a group of diseases in which cells grow and spread unrestrained throughout the body. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start.

Screenings  |  Common Cancers in Adults  |  Prevention  |  More Health Information

Screenings

Screenings look for cancers before a person has any symptoms. This can find the disease at an early stage. Recommended screenings for women include:

• Pap Test - Allows early detection of cancer of the uterine cervix.
• Mammogram - Detects an abnormal breast tissue mass.
• Colorectal - Detects cancer of the large intestine and the rectum.
• Skin Cancer - Commonly used to screen for melanoma.

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Common Cancers in Adults

This list of common cancer in adults includes cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States:

• Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer - More than 1,000,000 new cases of nonmelanoma skin cancers are expected in the United States this year. This cancer represents about half of all cancers diagnosed in this country.
• Lung Cancer - More people die of lung cancer every year than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. There will be an estimated 160,000 deaths from lung cancer this year.
• Colon-rectum Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About 146,000 people are diagnosed each year, of which about 50,000 will die.
• Breast Cancer - Breast cancer is the most common of cancers affecting woman. Each year in the United States, more than 180,000 women are diagnosed with this disease, of which 44,000 will die.
• Pancreatic Cancer - About 43,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, of which about 35,000 will die.

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Prevention

Since exposure to carcinogens is responsible for triggering most cancers, people can reduce their risk by taking steps to avoid such agents. These include

• Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun
• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Limit red meat and animal fat
• Eat your fruits and vegetables
• Exercise
• Know your personal and family medical history
• Get screened for cancer regularly

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More Health Information

Health Library | Types of cancer
Health Library | Learn more about cancer
Health Library | Cancer prevention

cancer.sutterhealth.org | Visit our web site dedicated to cancer education/services
Breast Cancer Notebook | A comprehensive guide for those newly diagnosed with breast cancer
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