October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
According to the National Cancer Institute, almost 298,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 43,000 will die of the disease in 2023. In addition, an estimated 2,800 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 530 will die of the disease this year. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.
Breast cancer occurs in many different forms. The most common form is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma. It is found more often in both breasts than other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type in which the breast is warm, red, and swollen. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
A newly inverted nipple
Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
Hereditary breast cancer makes up 5 percent to 10 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. Women who have certain gene mutations, such as mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, have an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of breast cancer and how far it has spread. People with breast cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.
Surgery. An operation where doctors cut out the cancer.
Chemotherapy. Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Hormonal therapy. Blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
Biological therapy. Works with your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells or to control side effects from other cancer treatments.
Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer cells.
September Was Childhood Cancer Month
A cancer diagnosis is upsetting at any age, but especially so when the patient is a child. Each year, an estimated 400 000 children and adolescents of 0-19 years old develop cancer. The most common types of childhood cancers include leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas and solid tumours, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors. In high-income countries, where comprehensive services are generally accessible, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), less than 30% are cured. Childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening.
There are many types of cancer treatment. The types of treatment that a child with cancer receives will depend on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Common treatments include: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Because it is generally not possible to prevent cancer in children, the most effective strategy to reduce the burden of cancer in children and improve outcomes is to focus on a prompt, correct diagnosis followed by effective, evidence-based therapy with tailored supportive care.
When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and result in a greater probability of survival, less suffering, and often less expensive and less intensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of children with cancer by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. A correct diagnosis is essential to treat children with cancer because each cancer requires a specific treatment regimen that may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched, with the support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, to provide leadership and technical assistance to governments to support them in building and sustaining high-quality childhood cancer programs. The goal is to achieve at least 60% survival for all children with cancer by 2030. This represents an approximate doubling of the current cure rate and will save an additional one million lives over the next decade.
August was Appendix Cancer Month
What is Appendix Cancer?
Appendix cancer is cancer that starts in the cells lining the inside of the appendix. There are two main types of appendiceal cancer: epithelial appendiceal cancer and neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer. Epithelial appendiceal cancer grows from cells that make up the lining of the appendix. It may also be called adenocarcinoma. These cells help make a jelly-like substance called mucin.
Appendix cancer usually does not cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body. When symptoms of appendix cancer are present, they vary from person to person. Symptoms may include Acute appendicitis, Increase in abdomen size/girth, bloating, Vague abdominal discomfort in the lower right abdomen, Pelvic discomfort, New hernias, Bowel obstruction, Changes in bowel habits, Ovarian masses, Acute or chronic abdominal pain. These symptoms do not always mean you have appendix cancer. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may signal other health problems.Information on Appendiceal Cancer On National Cancer Institute
July Was Carcinoma and Sarcoma Month
Carcinomas and Sarcomas are different types of cancer. Carcinomas are much more common than sarcomas, but the biggest difference between them is where they occur in the body. Carcinomas are usually named for the location where they arise (such as breast cancer, colon cancer). Sarcomas can occur in many different body locations and are generally named for their appearance under the microscope.Treatment for carcinomas and sarcomas is geared to the specific type of cancer a patient has, its stage or extent, aggressiveness, and other health factors. Patients should consult closely with their oncologist in developing a treatment plan.May Was Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells that most commonly occur in areas that are exposed to the sun. Skin cancer can occur is areas nor exposed to the sun also.
There are three different kinds of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. According to the Center for Disease Control 6.1 million adults are treated for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas annually. According to the American Cancer Society’s estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2024 are:
About 100,640 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 59,170 in men and 41,470 in women).
About 8,290 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 5,430 men and 2,860 women).
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that we develop a lifelong habit of self-skin exams. Additionally you can schedule an annual skin cancer screening appointment with your dermatologist or visit an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association Skin Cancer Screening Site for a free exam. Wearing sunscreen is an easy way to protect your skin from skin damage. Please check the AAD Guidelines on picking the best type of sunscreen to protect your skin against skin cancer and remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
April Was Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month
The esophagus is a long, hollow tube connecting the throat to the stomach. The esophagus helps move food form the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer forms in the lining of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer seems to be more prevalent in men than women. There are two types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide.
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Unintentional Weight loss
Chest pain, or pressure
Worsening indigestion or heartburn
Coughing or hoarseness
Early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.
For More Information On Esophageal Cancer Please Visit Esophageal Cancer Action Network
March Was Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Over 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. This cancer most often affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these parts may also be called colorectal cancer.
Screening for Colorectal cancer
Because colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms at first, it's important to have screening tests for colorectal cancer. Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease.
The following types of tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer:
Fecal occult blood test
Sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy
DNA stool test
Symptoms of Colorectal cancer
A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation.
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.
A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement.
Weakness or tiredness.
Unintentional weight loss
Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer
Seven types of standard treatment are used:
Surgery
Radiofrequency ablation
Cryosurgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
February Was Gall Bladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month
The American Cancer society estimates 12,350 new cases will be diagnosed for cancer of the gall bladder and bile duct cancer in the United States in the year 2024. Of the 12,350 new cases: 5,900 will be men and 6,450 will be women, and a total of 4<530 deaths are expected with a higher rate of fatalities in women compared to men.
The gall bladder is a small, pear-shaped organ beneath the liver. Gall bladder cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the gall bladder. When detected early gallbladder cancer is very curable but it is most often detected in the late stages, because the cancer does not cause any specific signs or symptoms. Also, as the gall bladder is a hidden order it is easy for the cancer to go undetected.
Symptoms of Gallbladder cancer
Abdominal pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
Abdominal bloating
Unintentional weight loss
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye
Treatment Options for Gallbladder Cancer
Surgery to remove the gallbladder and some of the tissue around it.
Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
A clinical trial of radiation therapy with radiosensitizers.
The bile duct is a thin tube, about 4 to 5 inches long, that moves bile (a fluid that digests the fats in food) from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. Bile Duct cancer is a rare kind of cancer. There are 2 different types of bile duct cancer, based on where the cancer is found in the bile duct system. Intrahepatic bile duct cancer forms in bile ducts inside the liver, while Extrahepatic bile duct cancer forms outside the liver.
Symptoms of Bile duct Cancer
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Intensely itchy skin
White-colored stools
Fatigue
Abdominal pain on the right side, just below the ribs
Unintentional weight loss
Fever and night sweats
Treatment Options for Bile duct Cancer
When possible, surgeons remove as much of the cancer as they can.
Liver transplant is sometimes an option
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
January Was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cervical cancer forms in a woman's cervix, with 99% of cases linked to high-risk HPV, a common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Most HPV infections resolve on their own, but persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, causing 570,000 diagnoses and 311,000 deaths in 2018.
Prevention involves primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary approaches (screening and treating precancerous lesions). The immune system usually fights off HPV, but in some cases, the virus persists, contributing to the development of cancer cells.
Reduce your risk by undergoing screening tests and getting an HPV vaccine. If cervical cancer occurs, treatment often involves surgery, medications, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and sometimes a combination of radiation and low-dose chemotherapy.
November Was Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of a silent but highly lethal disease. Pancreatic cancer affects over 55,000 people annually in the US. This constitutes 3% of all cancer cases and claims 7% of cancer-related deaths. Globally, it ranks as the 14th most common cancer and the 7th deadliest. Early diagnosis is challenging due to vague symptoms and difficulty in examining the pancreas.
This cancer originates in the pancreas, a vital organ behind the stomach, and is classified into two main types: pancreatic adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the prevalent type, affecting around 54,000 Americans annually, while pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, though less common, are increasingly diagnosed. Their treatments differ significantly, with the potential for a cure in some cases.
Pancreatic cancer originates in the pancreas, an abdominal organ located behind the lower stomach. The pancreas serves a dual role, producing digestive enzymes and vital hormones like insulin, regulating glucose utilization as the body's primary energy source.
The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 64. Certain health conditions can affect those odds. Some of the key risk factors are highlighted below:
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The risk is about twice as high among smokers compared to those who never smoked.
Obesity
Personal history of diabetes, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s not clear if people with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk.
Family history of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis
Inherited genetic syndromes, such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) or familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome.
Early-stage pancreas cancer lacks easily detectable symptoms, which can overlap with other conditions. Common symptoms are Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), Light-colored stools, Dark urine, Upper/middle abdominal and back pain, Unexplained weight loss, Loss of appetite and Fatigue. Pancreatic cancer diagnosis relies on imaging tests to visualize the pancreas, located deep in the abdomen. CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays are common diagnostic tools used to assess the cancer's extent, treatment progress, and potential recurrence.
Access Your Pancreatic Cancer Risk and Test Your Pancreas Cancer Knowledge
Learn more about Pancreas cancer at a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network sponsored Free Virtual Pancreas Cancer Awareness Event
