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What You
Need To Know
Objectives
 What is cancer?
 Facts and statistics
 Most common cancers
 Lifestyle and cancer risks
 Signs and symptoms
 Prevention
 Resources
Understanding Cancer
What is cancer?
 Cancer is a disease where there is a rapid growth of abnormal cells.
 Normal cells follow a process of growth, division and death but cancer cells
do not follow this process and continue to divide and spread to nearby
tissues.
 Many cancers form solid tumors or masses of tissue and they are referred to
as malignant.
 If cancer spreads to distant sites in the body it is said to have metastasized.
Understanding Cancer
Important Facts & Stats
Cancer risk rises significantly with age and it is thought that
there is an inability for the cells to repair themselves as one
gets older.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality
worldwide.
There are approximately 14 million new cases yearly.
In 2012, there were 8.2 million cancer related deaths.
The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70%
over the next two decades.
10 Most Common Cancers Worldwide
1. Lung
2. Breast
3. Colorectal
4. Prostate
5. Stomach
6. Liver
7. Cervix
8. Esophagus
9. Bladder
10. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
***Statistics from World Cancer Research
Fund International
Risk Factors
 Although it is not possible to know why some develop cancer and
others do not, there are many risk factors and behaviors that
have been identified or suspected to increase one’s chance of
developing cancer. Some are avoidable, while others are not.
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Age
Alcohol consumption
Chronic inflammation
Diet
Environmental exposures
Hormones
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Immunosuppression
Infectious agents
Obesity
Radiation
Sunlight
Tobacco
Risk Factors
Top 5 behavioral and dietary risks
 High Body Mass Index (BMI)
 Lack of physical activity
 Low fruit and vegetable intake
 Tobacco use
 Alcohol use
These risks are responsible for approximately one
third of cancer deaths and can all be avoided!
Prevention
Discuss your individual health risks and recommendations with
your healthcare provider. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
 Maintain a healthy weight and keep your BMI at 18.5-25.
 Exercise regularly, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate or 75
minutes of vigorous intensity activity (or a combination of the
two) each week.
 Get plenty of rest.
 Follow a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables.
 Protect your skin from the sun and avoid tanning beds.
More Prevention Tips
 Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day.
 Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
 Avoid exposure to chemicals and substances that have been
shown to increase cancer risk.
 Check with your healthcare provider about Hepatitis B and
HPV vaccines, to see if these are recommended.
 See your doctor yearly for routine check ups and discuss
recommendations for cancer screening.
Screening Tests
Why screening tests and self-exams
 Treatment is most successful when cancer is detected early,
prior to the start of symptoms.
 Cancer screening guidelines vary. Talk to your healthcare
provider about current recommendations.
 Screening tests include colonoscopy, mammograms, pap
smears, blood test for PSA (prostate screening antigen) and
manual prostate exam.
 Self-exams should be performed on the breasts, testicles
and skin, these help with early detection.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
 Cancer can cause almost any sign or symptom, depending on
where it is located, how large the tumor is and how much it
affects the organs or tissues.
 Sometimes cancer may not cause symptoms until it has
advanced and grown large.
 Many illnesses and medical conditions have similar signs and
symptoms so sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate or
identify without medical tests.
It is very important to make an appointment with your
healthcare professional if you have any persistent signs or
symptoms that concern you.
Generalized Symptoms
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Fatigue
Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that
won't heal, or changes to existing moles
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain
Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Persistent cough or trouble breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness
World Health Organization (WHO)
Diagnosis & Treatment
 When a suspicious sign, symptom or finding is identified, your
healthcare provider must determine if it is cancer.
 This multistep process often includes medical exams, labs,
imaging, biopsy and additional testing for a diagnosis.
 Each case of cancer may require a different treatment plan,
depending on various factors.
 The goal of treatment is to eradicate cancer and prolong life.
 Some types of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
and other therapies.
Cancer Support
Questions and concerns when diagnosed
 It is important to have open communication/discussions with
the healthcare team, experts say being well-informed may
lead to better outcomes.
 Recommendations for support groups and available resources
in the area are helpful for both the individual and caregivers.
 Knowing about your diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and
insurance coverage can help guide you through your journey,
help answer questions you may have, provide support and
help with coping.
Questions???
Resources
 American Cancer Society,
www.cancer.org
 National Cancer Institute,
http://www.cancer.gov/
 National Institutes of Health,
www.nih.gov
 Mayo Clinic,
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/cancer/basics/definition/co
n-20032378
 World Health Organization,
http://www.who.int/en/
 World Cancer Research Fund
International, http://www.wcrf.org/
Photo Credits
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