Understanding Cancer

Cancer is not a single disease — it is a family of more than 100 conditions. Your body is made up of trillions of cells, each following a carefully regulated lifecycle. Cancer begins when genetic mutations cause a cell to ignore its normal signals and multiply uncontrollably. Malignant tumors can invade nearby tissue and metastasize to distant parts of the body.

CANCER BY THE NUMBERS

Over 2 million new cancer diagnoses occur in the US each year. The 5-year survival rate across all cancers combined is 67%. There are 18 million+ cancer survivors living in the US today. Roughly 40% of cancer cases are considered preventable.

COMMON TYPES

Lung cancer: The leading cause of cancer death in both men and women; strongly linked to smoking. Breast cancer: The most common cancer among women; highly treatable when caught early. Colorectal cancer: Third most common type; often preventable with routine colonoscopy screening. Prostate cancer: The most common cancer in men; frequently slow-growing. Skin cancer: The most common cancer overall; most cases are preventable with UV protection. Blood cancers: Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma affect blood cells and bone marrow.

WARNING SIGNS

Unexplained weight loss, unusual lump or swelling, persistent fatigue, changes in bowel or bladder habits, unexplained bleeding or bruising, chronic cough or hoarseness, skin changes or new moles, difficulty swallowing.

RISK FACTORS

Genetics and family history (BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations), tobacco use (causes ~30% of all cancer deaths), UV and radiation exposure, diet/weight/physical inactivity, and infections (HPV, H. pylori, hepatitis B/C).

SCREENING

Mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (colorectal), Pap + HPV test (cervical), low-dose CT (lung), PSA blood test (prostate), and annual dermatology exam (skin).

TREATMENT

Modern cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and precision medicine matched to a tumor's genetic profile. Palliative care is an important part of cancer care at every stage.

PREVENTION

The WHO estimates roughly 40% of cases could be avoided through lifestyle changes and vaccination. Not smoking is the single most impactful decision. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, UV protection, staying current on vaccines (HPV, hepatitis B), and keeping up with screenings all reduce risk meaningfully.