Skin Cancer Awareness

This post will focus on Melanoma, which is skin cancer that starts in the cell. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and although less than 5% of the cases are melanoma, it accounts for the most deaths. Tumors can come from different skin cells. Moles are the most common, which is why it is important to have your dermatologist check regularly. Most moles are harmless, but some signs can show danger. PubMed Health has the ABCDE system to look out for harmful moles or bumps:

The ABCDE system can help you remember possible symptoms of melanoma:

• Asymmetry: One half of the abnormal area is different from the other half.
• Borders: The edges of the growth are irregular.
• Color: Color changes from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, or black, and sometimes white, red, or blue. A mixture of colors may appear within one sore.
• Diameter: The spot is usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolution: The mole keeps changing appearance.
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001853/

There are many causes of Melanoma, the largest being harmful UltraViolet Sun Rays. Being in the sun without protection takes a large toll on your skin. A way to protect yourself is to have regular exams from a doctor and to check your skin regularaly. Also, make sure to use sunscreen before going outside for long periods of time or on sunny days. A family history of melanoma puts one at a larger risk for attracting the disease. Again, be safe and protect yourself and you won't have as much to worry about.

The American Cancer Society has tips on how to prevent melanoma. Most are pretty obvious, but reiteration can help save lives. Visit this link to read more.

Stay safe in the sun, don't go tanning in electric beds, and check your self regularly for harmful spots. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, but one of the easiest to prevent. Being smart can save your life.

Lung Cancer Awareness

There are two types of lung cancer and I will focus on both in this post.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

This is the more common type of lung cancer.

"About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are 3 main subtypes of NSCLC. The cells in these subtypes differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up when looked at under a microscope. But they are grouped together because the approach to treatment and prognosis (outlook) are very similar.

Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma: About 25% to 30% of all lung cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers start in early versions of squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs. They are often linked to a history of smoking and tend to be found in the middle of the lungs, near a bronchus.

Adenocarcinoma: About 40% of lung cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers start in early versions of the cells that would normally secrete substances such as mucus. This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in people who smoke (or have smoked), but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the outer region of the lung. It tends to grow slower than other types of lung cancer, and is more likely to be found before it has spread outside of the lung. People with the type of adenocarcinoma calledadenocarcinoma in situ (previously called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) tend to have a better outlook (prognosis) than those with other types of lung cancer.

Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of lung cancers. It may appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer (see below).

Other subtypes: There are also a few other subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer, such as adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma. These are much less common."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/DetailedGuide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer:

"About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), named for the size of the cancer cells when seen under a microscope. Other names for SCLC are oat cell cancer, oat cell carcinoma, and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. It is very rare for someone who has never smoked to have small cell lung cancer.

SCLC often starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest, and it tends to spread widely through the body fairly early in the course of the disease."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/DetailedGuide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women. It is also the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. It far surpasses breast, prostate, and colon cancers. One of the most common causes of lung cancer is smoking and other tobacco use. Lung cancer can also be caused from radon or asbestos, which are found in mines and textile plants. 

Cool here...

Lung cancer cannot be fully prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk. The first is obvious, don't smoke! If you do, QUIT! There are many places that can help one to quit smoking. The American Cancer Society provides a guide of how to quit and gives you a phone number to call for help. You can also visit smokefree.gov for assistance and guidance. 

As I said before, Radon is a cause of lung cancer. The best way to prevent exposure to Radon is to have your home tested. 

Studies have shown that eating a diet of fruits and vegetables will decrease your chance of getting lung cancer. 

Here, not so much

As always, scanning for any type of cancer plays a large role in early detection. You can also have a CT scan done which has been shown to catch lung cancer more often. Make sure you tell your loved ones to get tested for all types of cancers, and MAKE THEM QUIT SMOKING! Its extremely harmful to your body, and it is gross!! Look at this disgusting list of the active ingredients in cigarettes. Notice Urea? Yeah, that's found in urine. Think about that the next time you go to light up. 

Prostate Cancer Awareness

Flipping from breast cancer, which mainly affects women, I will be talking about Prostate Cancer for the men. As previously mentioned, The American Cancer Society has a great deal of information on all types of cancers. The facts blow come directly from the page about Prostate Cancer: 

"Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The latest American Cancer Society estimates for prostate cancer in the United States are for 2012:

• About 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed
• About 28,170 men will die of prostate cancer

About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. Nearly two thirds are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 67.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 36 will die of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics

Like all cancers, early detection is key. Test can be run to determine if you have prostate cancer. These tests include a blood test or a rectal exam. While these test are not 100% accurate, they have caused the death rate to drop dramatically. The American Cancer Society suggests that men over the age of 50 talk to their health care provider about screening for prostate cancer. To find out more about the early detection of prostate cancer, you can read more through this link. 

Something men should watch for is there PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) levels. Your risk of prostate cancer goes up as these levels go up. The American Cancer Society has posted ways to watch your PSA levels:

"Factors that might affect PSA levels

The PSA level can also be increased by things other than prostate cancer, such as:

• An enlarged prostate: Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that many men get as they grow older, may raise PSA levels.
• Older age: PSA levels normally go up slowly as you get older, even if you have no prostate abnormality.
• Prostatitis: This term refers to infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, which may raise PSA levels.
• Ejaculation: This can cause the PSA to go up for a short time, and then go down again. This is why some doctors suggest that men abstain from ejaculation for 2 days before testing.
• Riding a bicycle: Some studies have suggested that cycling may raise PSA levels (possibly because the seat puts pressure on the prostate), although not all studies have found this.
• Certain urologic procedures: Some procedures done in a doctor's office that affect the prostate, such as a prostate biopsy or cystoscopy, may result in higher PSA levels for a short time. Some studies have suggested that a digital rectal exam (DRE) might raise PSA levels slightly, although other studies have not found this. Still, if both a PSA test and a DRE are being done during a doctor visit, some doctors advise having the blood drawn for the PSA before having the DRE, just in case.
• Certain medicines: Taking testosterone (or other medicines that raise testosterone levels) may cause a rise in PSA.

Some things may cause PSA levels to go down (even if cancer is present):

• Certain medicines: Certain drugs used to treat BPH or urinary symptoms, such as finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart), may lower PSA levels. You should tell your doctor if you are taking these medicines, because they will lower PSA levels and require the doctor to adjust the reading.
• Herbal mixtures: Some mixtures that are sold as dietary supplements may also mask a high PSA level. This is why it is important to let your doctor know if you are taking any type of supplement, even ones that are not necessarily meant for prostate health. Saw palmetto (an herb used by some men to treat BPH) does not seem to affect PSA.
• Obesity: Obese men tend to have lower PSA levels.
• Aspirin: Some recent research has suggested that men who take aspirin regularly may have lower PSA levels. This effect may be greater in non-smokers. More research is needed to confirm this finding. If you take aspirin regularly (such as to help prevent heart disease), talk to your doctor before you stop taking it for any reason."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-detection

Other sites that deal with the detection and treatment of Prostate Cancer are the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. These sites help those affected with Prostate Cancer to cope with their disease. They provide facts, figures, and other information so those affected can be well informed. They also provide stories from others affected by prostate cancer. 

Another good site to check out is Athletes for a Cure. This is an organization that hosts different activities that raise money for Prostate Cancer research. This site uses any type of athletic event to raise money. You can even create your own event to support the cause. 

As I said in my post about Breast Cancer, it is your job to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Ladies, tell the men in your life to be screened for Prostate Cancer. Men, remember to get screened for the benefit of us worrying women.