Symptoms of Cancer, Resources, and Education
Learning about your cancer diagnosis can help prepare you for your cancer treatment journey and can give you important information that will help you make decisions with your oncologist.
Facts about Cancer
- Although cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, the survival rate for many types of cancer has improved in recent years.
- Cancer occurs when cells do not stop growing (dividing) and do not die when they should. Cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
- Cancer is the result of changes in the genes that control normal cell growth and death. These changes may be inherited or may result from lifestyle factors.
- People can reduce their risk of cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Screening exams can detect some pre-cancerous conditions. In addition, people who notice certain signs and symptoms that may suggest cancer should see a doctor.
- Cancer can be treated with surgical oncology, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormones and/or substances that improve the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
- Clinical trials (research studies with people) are a treatment option for cancer patients.
Almost 1.4 million new cases of invasive cancer will be diagnosed in the United States every year, and over half a million people will die of the disease. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in this country. However, improvements in cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer. About 65 percent of all people diagnosed with cancer will be alive five years after treatment.
Saint Alphonsus Offers Personalized Cancer Care and Treatment
Resources
- Patient Guidebook: All-in-one resource for patients and families
- Download Breast Cancer Guide
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic building blocks. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancerous.
The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. The extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancerous. They can often be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Most importantly, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.
Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Blood vessels include a network of arteries, capillaries and veins through which the blood circulates in the body. The lymphatic system carries lymph and white blood cells to all the tissues of the body. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer can spread from the original (primary) cancer site to form new tumors in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes (called alterations) in genes that control normal cell growth and cell death. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can change some normal genes into genes that allow the growth of cancer. Many genetic changes that lead to cancer are the result of tobacco use, diet, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace and in the environment. Some gene alterations are inherited.
However, having an inherited gene alteration does not mean that the person is certain to develop cancer; it means that the chance of getting cancer is increased. Scientists continue to examine the factors that may increase a person's chance of developing cancer.
Although being infected with certain viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), increases the risk of some types of cancer, cancer is not contagious. A person cannot catch cancer from someone who has the disease. Scientists also know that an injury or bruise does not cause cancer.
Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Possible signs of cancer include the following:
- A thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
- An obvious change in a wart or mole
- A sore that does not heal
- A nagging cough or hoarseness
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained changes in weight
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They can also be caused by infections, benign tumors or other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. A person with these or other symptoms should not wait to feel pain; early cancer does not usually cause pain.
If symptoms occur, a doctor may order various tests and may recommend a biopsy. A biopsy is usually the most reliable way to know whether a medical problem is cancer. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue from the abnormal area. A pathologist studies the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
The following cancer screening guidelines are recommended for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.
People who are at increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age or being screened more often. Those with symptoms that could be related to cancer should see their doctor right away.
Cancer-related Checkup
For people age 20 or older having periodic health exams, a cancer-related checkup should include health counseling, and depending on a person's age and gender, might include exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes and/or ovaries, as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases.
Special tests for certain cancer sites are recommended as outlined below.
Detecting Breast Cancer
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exams (CBEs) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their healthcare providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
- Women at increased risk (for example, family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (for example, breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
Colon & Rectal Cancer Detection
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these five testing schedules:
- Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)* or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
- Yearly FOBT* or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years**
- Double-contrast barium enema every five years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
*For FOBT, the take-home multiple sample method should be used.
**The combination of yearly FOBT or FIT flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years is preferred over either of these options alone.
All positive tests should be followed up with a colonoscopy. People should talk to their doctor about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or undergoing screening more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risk factors:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
- A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60 or in two first-degree relatives of any age)
- A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
- A family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer)
Cervical Cancer Detection
- All women should begin cervical cancer screening about three years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.
- Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every two to three years. Another reasonable option for women over 30 is to get screened every three years (but not more frequently) with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test, plus the HPV DNA test. Women who have certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection, or a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic steroid use should continue to be screened annually.
- Women 70 years of age or older, who have had three or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years, may choose to stop having cervical cancer screenings. Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have screenings as long as they are in good health.
- Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may also choose to stop having cervical cancer screenings unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or precancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.
Endometrial (uterine) Cancer Detection
The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. For women with high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35.
Detecting Prostate Cancer
Both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE) should be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy. Men at high risk (African-American men and men with a strong family history of one or more first-degree relatives [father, brothers] diagnosed before age 65) should begin testing at age 45. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40. Depending on the results of this initial test, no further testing might be needed until age 45.
Information should be provided to all men about what is known and what is uncertain about the benefits, limitations and dangers of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer so that they can make an informed decision about testing.
Men who ask their doctor to make the decision on their behalf should be tested. Discouraging testing is not appropriate. Also, not offering testing is not appropriate.
Saint Alphonsus is proud to be an accredited cancer institute by the Commission on Cancer. The Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute has demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to improving survival and quality of life for patients by providing the highest-quality, patient-centered cancer care.