Cancer

Cancer

Cancer starts when a cell is somehow altered so that it multiplies out of control.

There’s no cure for it, but there are treatments that may be able to cure some people of some cancers.

You’re more likely to get cancer as you get older. In fact, age is the biggest risk factor for the disease.

A carcinogen is something that can cause you to have cancer.

Smoking cigarettes causes about 3 out of every 10 cancer deaths in the U.S.

Researchers found that drinking alcohol causes chemical and other physical changes in our bodies that make cancers more likely.

You might be surprised to learn that some viruses can lead to cancer.

There have been some concerns in recent years about whether talc, especially in talcum powder, could cause cancer.

Some people worry about getting a computed tomography (CT) scan because radiation is known as a possible cause of cancer.

Cell phones can make life easier in many ways. But you may worry that using a cell phone can raise your risk of cancer.

Many things can cause anemia, including cancer. Cancer treatments, the condition itself, or both can lead to anemia.

Some experts think acne might predict your chances of getting certain cancers.

As you write up your health to-do list this year, find out from your doctor which cancer screenings you should have.

Don't wait to get a screening test for the most common cancers that affect men.Â

Pay attention to your body. Play it smart when you notice anything that could be a serious health problem, like cancer.

It’s a good idea to get any new symptoms checked out by your doctor. Some changes could be signs of cancer.

Most people know of someone in their family who has been diagnosed with cancer. So it’s helpful to know cancer warning signs.

Bones, lungs, and the liver are the most common places for cancer cells to spread, or "metastasize."

There are no guarantees concerning cancer recovery. But doctors are slowly starting to use another "C" word for cancer: "cure."

Do you know which cancers take the greatest toll, and most importantly, which ones you can get checked for?

Some types of cancer may be detected by routine self-exam or other screening measures before the symptoms become serious.

You can find certain types of cancer without a biopsy. There are a few different ways to do this.

If your doctor says you should get a lymph node biopsy, it's because they need to check for signs of disease, such as cancer.

A bone biopsy is a test that takes a sample of tissue or cells from your bone to check for cancer or other bone diseases.

A nuclear medicine scan uses small amounts of radiation to create pictures of tissues, bones, and organs inside the body.

A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that can help tell you if you have certain types of bone disease.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a test that "maps" the genetic material in human cells.

“Scanxiety,” a term people in the cancer community use to describe the nervousness around the time of diagnostic tests.

When you find out that you have cancer, you may feel a flood of emotions, such as disbelief, fear, and anger.

Pathology reports use technical medical language and jargon, so check with your doctor if you have any questions.

One of the reasons correctly diagnosing cancer is so difficult is that some cancers are harder to spot than others.

Cancer is typically labeled in stages from I to IV, with IV being the most serious.

Most cancers are complex to treat, so you may need to see several different cancer specialists during your treatment.

Medical oncology is a type of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

Radiation oncologists work with oncologists, surgeons, and other doctors to determine an appropriate course of treatment.

Surgical oncology is a field of medicine that uses surgery to treat cancer. Its goal is to find tumors and remove them.

You and your doctor will decide what treatment is best based on the type of cancer, where it is, and how far it has spread.

If you have cancer, you may have surgery at some point. Sometimes, it can completely treat the disease.

Nuclear medicine can help diagnose and treat different conditions, including some forms of cancer.

A lot has happened in recent years to transform how cancer is, and will be, treated.

How will your doctor track how well your treatment works? Your doctor will do tests every few months or so during treatment.

Chemotherapy uses certain drugs to kill cancer cells or to stop them from growing and spreading to other parts of your body.

Chemotherapy uses special drugs to shrink or kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy kills these cells with high-energy beams.

When your doctor says you need chemotherapy, you'll have lots of questions, but you might also have concerns about the cost.

Learn these surprising chemo facts, and you'll be better prepared for what's ahead.

Most people take their chemo drugs through an infusion port, a medical device placed beneath the skin that connects to a vein.

A chemo port gives health care workers one-stop access to your veins: They poke the port, not your skin.

Antimetabolites are a form of chemotherapy drug. They’re one of the most commonly used therapies to treat cancer.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment that pumps warm chemotherapy drugs into your abdomen.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) gives chemo in the form of a spray into the abdominal cavity.

Intrathecal chemo is used often to treat cancers that involve the brain or spinal cord or have a high risk of spreading there.

To make you more comfortable as you recover, think about how you’ll take care of yourself at home before you go in for chemo.

When you go to the hospital chemo, your appointment may take a while. Packing a bag with necessities can help you feel at ease.

Here are precautions you and your family can take to keep you safe while you're undergoing chemotherapy.

Here are some reasons you might switch chemotherapy treatments and how these changes can affect your health.

Chemo drugs can make you less able to fight infections. Here are some ways to lower your risk of infection.

Everyone’s reaction to chemo is different. Here’s an overview of what you can expect while you’re getting chemo.

Chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects, but they don’t have to take over your life.

The type of chemo drugs you use can affect your experience. Try these tips to help manage some common side effects.

Many drugs that treat cancer cause hair loss. Here are 12 things you can do while you wait for your locks to grow back.

It’s common for you to have a cloudy mind, called "chemo brain," during and after treatment.

You don't have to let chemo brain stop you from a productive day. Learn some simple techniques that can sharpen your mind.

Cancer treatment can take a lot out of you, both physically and emotionally, so it’s common to feel tired.

You might not feel hungry when you're having chemotherapy, but it’s important you keep eating well.

Chemo rash is one of the most common side effects of therapy. It may show up on your face, neck, scalp, upper back, and chest.

Chemo can cause dryness, tenderness, and sores inside your mouth that make it hard to eat or even talk.

Nausea and vomiting are less common with chemotherapy today, thanks to newer cancer drugs.

Some side effects of chemotherapy can linger for months or years or may never completely go away.

Radiation therapy a common treatment that shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells -- and might be the only one you need.

Proton therapy, sometimes called proton beam therapy, is a type of radiation used to treat cancer.

IMRT is short for intensity-modulated radiation therapy. In IMRT, doctors use a computer to send radiation right to the tumor.

Radioembolization is a cancer treatment in which radioactive particles are delivered to a tumor through the bloodstream.

Radiation sickness happens when a large dose of high-energy radiation goes through your body and reaches your internal organs.

Radiation enteritis is small intestine inflammation that from radiation therapy to the rectum, abdomen, or pelvis.

A radiation "burn" or rash is a common side effect of radiation therapy for cancer. It’s also called radiation dermatitis.

A CT scan exposes your body to some radiation. That involves a small amount of risk, and it’s important to understand the issues.

It’s rare, but these high doses of radiation could trigger another cancer called second primary cancer.

Some types of immunotherapy boost your disease-fighting powers. Others teach it to attack specific cells found in tumors.

Western or conventional medicine and precision medicine are two approaches doctors use to treat disease.

Cancer can develop when epigenetic changes go wrong. They can affect the two main groups of genes with cancer connections.

GcMAF isn't approved for cancer, and researchers aren’t investigating it as a possible treatment.

Holistic care has its limits. And it can harm you if you give up mainstream medicine for alternative treatments.

Amygdalin is a compound found in the pits or seeds of apricots, apples, peaches, plums, red cherries, and other fruits.

Some people believe that the cyanide from apricot seeds can kill cancer cells. But there is no evidence that this works.

Graviola contains chemicals called acetogenins (ACGs). ACGs seem to work to kill, block, or fight different types of cancers.

Rick Simpson Oil, an oil made from the flowers of the cannabis plant, gets attention from people who claim it treats cancer.

There are still no definite answers about whether vitamin D can prevent cancer or play a role in its treatment.

Some studies suggest the curcumin in turmeric has a variety of health benefits, including fighting cancer cells.

Some people believe that artemisinin may be an alternative to more aggressive cancer treatments.

You may be willing to try anything that you think could cure your cancer. One therapy you may have heard of is a Rife machine.

No research has shown that the Budwig can prevent or treat cancer, however. It is also risky as it is restrictive.

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation may save your life. But they can also cause unwelcome side effects.

Recent research suggests that exercise is not only safe, but helpful during your cancer treatment.

When cancer causes you physical pain, there are many medicines that can help manage it so you feel better.

Therapy dogs can bring comfort to people being treated for cancer, and they may help them get better, too.

There’s plenty you can do every day to not only survive cancer, but to feel better and live as well as you can.

After cancer treatment, your sex life may be a little different than it used to be.

What you eat is really important when you have cancer. Your body needs enough calories and nutrients to stay strong.

While going through cancer treatment or trying to keep cancer from coming back, some fruits may be better than others.

Eating right can give you strength you need with cancer. Smoothies are a good option if your treatment gives you side effects.

There is interest in how a ketogenic diet may help treat some types of cancer.

Yoga can help people with cancer both mentally and physically, research shows.

Pain can be part of having cancer, but you don’t have to take it.

The World Health Organization developed a 3-step approach for cancer pain management based on the severity of the pain.

Studies have looked at the possible benefits medical marijuana can have on cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.

Many people with cancer have problems with memory, attention, and thinking. It can start during treatment or after it’s over.

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment.

When you hear that cancer is in remission, is that the same as cured? It isn’t, but remission is still great news.

Sometimes, cancer can come back after you've had treatment. This is what doctors call a recurrence.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you might be wondering when and how to break the news to your friends and family.

Zero in on any gaps in care. Talk with your health care team to figure out where you might need extra support.

While caring for someone with cancer, you want them know you're there to help. Use this checklist to make daily care easier.

If you have cancer, the Affordable Care Act gives you protection against losing insurance coverage.

Whether you're newly diagnosed with CLL or already in treatment, learn how to make the most of your doctor appointment.

Whether you're newly diagnosed with this blood cancer or already in treatment, learn how to make the most of your doctor appointment.

Whether you're newly diagnosed with MDS or already in treatment, learn how to make the most of your doctor appointment.

Whether you're newly diagnosed with myelofibrosis or already in treatment, learn how to make the most of your doctor appointment.

Whether you're newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or already in treatment, learn how to make the most of your doctor appointment.

In 2002, fulvestrant (Faslodex) was the first selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) approved to treat breast cancer. Who can still benefit from it?

Vepdegestrant (Veppanu) is a new daily pill to treat some types of breast cancer. Learn if this medication may be right for your treatment plan.

WebMD explains 15 cancer symptoms that men should discuss with a doctor.

One woman shares her diagnosis and treatment journey, as well as lessons she’s learned from life with gastric adenocarcinoma.

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