Cancer is among the leading causes of death in America. The good news is that many types of cancer are easily preventable and also treatable, provided it’s detected early.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer strikes when your body’s normal control mechanism stops functioning. New cells form and replace the old, worn out, and damaged cells in your body in healthy conditions. But when you have cancer, the old cells in your body don’t die but further grow along with new, abnormal cells that threaten the healthy cells in your body.
The most common types of cancer are skin, lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, bladder, kidney, blood cancers.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cancer?
If you have cancer, you need to be aware of the symptoms which will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects your organ and tissues,
Some of the common cancer symptoms, according to the National Foundation for Cancer Research 2020, are:
- Nagging cough
- Hoarseness in your voice
- Sores that don’t heal
- Changes in your moles or warts
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
- Change in your bowel or bladder habits
- Persistent pain lasting more than 1-2 weeks
- Lumps or thickenings in your breasts or other parts of your body
About National Cancer Control Month
America has been celebrating April as National Cancer Control Month since its first proclamation in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was around World War II when the President realized that nearly 150,000 Americans were dying because of cancer each year. He realized it was a preventable disease if more Americans undertook regular medical examinations. President Roosevelt also saw other countries were better prepared than the U.S. when it came to cancer prevention and treatment.
Roosevelt felt the need to bring cancer awareness among Americans. He brought together various medical professionals and institutions such as schools, universities, and the media for the cause of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Since then, every year, we honor and salute the courageous spirit of fellow Americans who have been battling cancer, its survivors, and caregivers. Cancer can be a brutal disease that affects its victims, families, and loved ones. There is even a term for it, called the “cancer burden,” which is the number of detected cancer cases and its effects on the individual, family, loved ones, community, and nation.
2021 also marks the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971. The legislation became the turning point in cancer research and treatment. The death rate from cancer has steadily decreased over the years, with better cancer awareness, education, prevention, and treatment options.
However, despite the incredible advancements in cancer prevention and treatment in our country, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the United States every year.
Millions of Americans struggle with their cancer diagnosis and fight to overcome the condition.
At Los Gatos Doc, a general practice clinic near Campbell, CA, we aim to raise awareness about the condition, the medical advancements in cancer prevention, and treatment in our communities. We are committed to the cause of ending cancer.
How To Prevent And Treat Cancer
Cancer is a deadly disease; however, 30-50% of all cases are preventable. Prevention is always better than cure, and it is the best long-term and most cost-effective strategy to control cancer.
Below are tips to reduce your risk, prevent and manage cancer.
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Education
It’s important to know the causes of cancer, its symptoms, and understand your risk factors.
There are many free resources that you can rely on to learn more about causes of cancer, detection and treatments. American Cancer Society’s website, Cancer.gov, is an excellent source for easy and free access to information, resources, and guidance on various types of cancer. They even provide a helpline and an online chat service for one-on-one support.
You can also read about the various cancer research programs and breakthroughs on fda.gov.
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Screening
Early detection of cancer requires screenings. Screening is the most effective way pre-cancerous cells can be detected so you can get the benefit of early treatment and faster recovery.
Some of the most easily screened cancers are breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. The typical cancer screening tests include pap smears, mammograms, and colonoscopies.
Keeping the unique COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the US government allows uninsured individuals and families to sign up for health coverage and gain protections against various conditions, including cancer, through August 15th. You can explore your eligibility on healthcare.gov and get covered for cancer screenings.
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Vaccination
Vaccinations are effective in preventing and treating certain kinds of cancers. They help prevent infectious agents that cause cancer. Some examples of FDA approved cancer vaccines include:
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: A three-shot series is given to children so that they get protection against the Hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver cancer when they become adults.
- Guardasil: It is given to protect women against the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes certain cancers.
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Lifestyle
Though not all cancers are preventable, you can prevent some kinds of cancer by following a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat a balanced diet with varied fruits and vegetables.
- Get moving with regular physical activity throughout the day.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Protect your skin from harmful UV rays
- Avoid smoking and all forms of tobacco.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Or limit the intake to not more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men.
- Practice safe sex.
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Doctor Appointments
One of the overlooked aspects of cancer education, prevention, diagnosis, support, and treatment is your relationship with your primary care doctor. The more people consult their physicians, the more the chances of early cancer detection and cure.
Regular cancer screening is still important during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the American Cancer Society. Scheduling regular doctor appointments will help you stay on top of your health. This includes detecting any risk factors or early signs of cancer which in turn leads to increased chances of early treatment and faster recovery.
At Los Gatos Doc, we follow the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for healthcare facilities to reduce the risk of COVID transmission.
Know your family health history and your cancer risk factors. Get regular health examinations and cancer screening tests. You can schedule an appointment with Los Gatos Doc, primary care doctors near Saratoga, CA.
Final Thoughts
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic it is all the more critical that you do not delay cancer screenings, doctor visits, and treatment.
Being proactive about your health, making an effort to protect your body, and optimizing all the available resources can help prevent, detect and treat cancer early.
(Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon review a few key public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article may be drawn up from multiple public health sources, including:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Medline Plus
- National Institutes of Health
- American Medical Association
- American Association of Family Physicians
- Mayo Clinic
- Family Doctor)