All About Cancer

At a Glance

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2018, there were 18.1 million new cases and 9.5 million cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer

In the United States, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Understanding Cancer

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells in the body. These cells can invade nearby tissues and, in some cases, spread to distant areas, leading to serious health complications.

What Is Cancer Research?

Cancer research is pivotal in improving and preserving lives. It focuses on advancing safe and efficient approaches to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat, and ultimately find a cure for the various diseases collectively known as cancer. This field of study is referred to as oncology.

What Is Cancer Disparities?

Cancer disparities refer to the unequal burden of cancer experienced by different groups of people. This can include differences in cancer rates, access to healthcare, and outcomes. It’s about understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to these disparities, such as socioeconomic status, race, and geography, in order to ensure that everyone has an equal chance at prevention, early detection, and effective treatment of cancer.

Risk and Prevention

What is a Carcinogen?

A carcinogen is a substance, agent, or exposure that has the potential to cause cancer in living organisms. These can be chemicals, physical agents (such as radiation), biological agents, or certain behaviors. Carcinogens have the ability to alter the genetic material (DNA) within cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of cancerous tumors. It’s important to note that not all exposure to carcinogens will necessarily lead to cancer, as factors like dosage and duration of exposure also play a role.

Genetics and Cancer Risk

While specific types of cancer can be hereditary, the majority are not directly attributed to our inherited genes. Instead, most cancers arise from alterations in genes that occur within a single cell over the course of a person’s lifetime.

How to Lower Your Risk

Lowering your risk of cancer is a powerful investment in your long-term health and well-being. By adopting these proactive strategies, you’re taking crucial steps towards prevention. Remember, small changes can have a big impact on reducing your risk and promoting a healthier, cancer-free future. Take charge of your health today!

Most common cancers

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men (after skin cancer), but it can often be treated successfully.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer.

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Cancer Centers in the United States

Alabama:

Endocrine System

Skin

Reproductive System

Breast

Lung

Urinary System

Bone and Soft Tissue

Eye

Brain and Nervous System

Digestive System

Blood and Lymph System

Other Cancers

In the United States in 2023, an estimated 9,910 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed among children from birth to 14 years, and about 1,040 children are expected to die from the disease. Although cancer death rates for this age group have declined by 70 percent from 1970 through 2020, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children. The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0 to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas.

source: The National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cancer in Children

The types of cancers that develop in children are often different from the types that develop in adults. Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors.

Cancer in Adolescents

Cancers in adolescents are often thought of as those that start between the ages of 15 and 19. Cancer is not common in teens, but a variety of cancer types can occur in this age group, and treating these cancers can be challenging for a number of reasons.

Cancer in Young Adults

There is no strict definition of what separates “childhood cancers” from cancers in young adults, or when exactly a person is no longer a young adult. But for statistics purposes, cancers in young adults are often thought of as those that start between the ages of 20 and 39.

United State Cancer Centers

Please note that this list includes some of the prominent cancer centers in the United States, but there are many more centers across the country, each contributing to the fight against cancer in their own unique way.

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