About Cancer
What is Cancer?
When we think of cancer we often think of a single disease that can appear in different parts of the body. In fact, cancer is really more than 100 diseases that all share one feature -- cancer begins when a normal cell is damaged and loses its ability to control its growth.
Usually, the body's own self-defense system, the immune system, eliminates these cells. But sometimes a damaged cell will begin to divide wildly, forming a mass of cells called a tumor. This tumor can invade healthy tissues nearby and interfere with their functioning. Sometimes cells from the tumor can break free and spread, or "metastasize", to cause tumors in other parts of the body.
Several factors can increase your risk of cancer. Some types of cancer are caused by external factors which you can often avoid. Most lung cancers, for example, are caused by cigarette smoke. What you eat or don't eat can raise or lower your risk of colon cancer. And being overweight can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. But cancers can also be caused by internal factors that aren't well understood. Some cancers run in families. For example, if you're a woman and your mother or sister had breast cancer, you are also at a higher risk for getting breast cancer.
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Reduce Your Risk
Several factors can increase your risk of cancer. Some types of cancer are caused by external factors which you can often avoid. Most lung cancers, for example, are caused by cigarette smoke. What you eat or don't eat can raise or lower your risk of colon cancer. And being overweight can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. But cancers can also be caused by internal factors that aren't well understood. Some cancers run in families. For example, if you're a woman and your mother or sister had breast cancer, you are also at a higher risk for getting breast cancer.
There is a lot you can do to lower your risk for many types of cancer. Regular cancer screenings can help you and your doctor detect cancer early, when it is easier to treat. And there are several new, more effective treatments, which means many cancers can be cured, especially when they are detected and treated early.
Watch for signs and symptoms. Since there are many types of cancer, each cancer has its own warning signs. Unfortunately, some cancers such as breast or colon cancer don't have symptoms that are easy to spot until the cancer is well advanced. If you have any questions, be sure to let your doctor know right away.
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Who Gets Cancer?
Anyone of any age can get cancer, but some people are more at risk than others. If you know your risks, you can prevent cancer or catch it early so it can be treated.
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Prostate Cancer
A man's risk increases as he gets older. Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men over 50 years of age, and more than 80% in men over 65 years. It's the most common type of cancer among African-American men, who have a much higher risk than men of other races (66% higher risk than Caucasians). Prostate cancer runs in families. If a man's father or brother has or had prostate cancer, he also has a higher risk. Diet may also play a role: some studies suggest that a high-fat diet raises a man's risk.
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Breast Cancer
In California, breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Island, and Caucasian women. Breast cancer rates increase with age. A woman who has never had children or had her first child after age 30 is at higher risk than other women. Drinking alcohol, lack of physical activity, and a high-fat diet may also raise a woman's risk. Caucasian women have a higher risk than women of other races.
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Lung Cancer
If you smoke, you have a much higher risk of getting lung cancer than people who don't smoke. In fact, about 87% of all lung cancers are caused by cigarettes. That's one reason why certain groups who have higher smoking rates, such as African-American men and women, or Southeast Asian men, have a higher risk of lung cancer.
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Colorectal Cancer
Most colorectal cancer begins as polyps that can be detected and removed. People who have such polyps have a higher risk than others. Men and women who eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet also have a higher risk, as do those who don't get much physical activity.
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Where to Find Help?
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center's Health Match Program is a free community service that can refer you to the physicians and services you need. Call (510) 869-6777.
The Ethnic Health Institute sponsors special events such as Prostate Cancer Screenings and Breast Exam Classes. Contact EHI for a current list of events.
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Resources
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Resources:
Health Match Physician Referral
(510) 869-6777
Early Lung Cancer Screening Program
(510) 204-4783
Health Ministry
(510) 869-6763
Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Services
(510) 869-8833
Other Resources:
American Cancer Society
(800) 227-2345
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
(800) 4-MEDICARE
(800) 633-4227
National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (NCI/CIS)
(800) 4-CANCER (422-6237)
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