Cancer
Cancer is the catchall term applied to diseases caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Cancer isn't one disease. It is many different diseases, more than 100 and counting.
Each kind of cancer is usually named for the cell type in which it begins — cancer that starts in a lung is called lung cancer; cancer that starts in pigment cells in the skin, which are known as melanocytes, is called melanoma.
When detected and treated early, cancer can often be stopped. That said, cancer is a leading cause of death and disability around the world.
Cancer Articles
A study published Feb. 14, 2018, in The BMJ suggests that each 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 12% higher risk for cancer in general and an 11% increased risk for breast cancer.
More »
Nail salon lamps, whether they are labeled LED or UV, all emit ultraviolet radiation, so protect your skin during manicures by using sunscreen or wearing fingerless gloves.
More »
Scientists have created a blood test that can detect cancer in the early stages. It may one day be available as a screening test.
More »
Diets that are rich in foods that promote inflammation—such as red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and refined grains—are associated with colorectal cancer.
More »
Using a prescription cream called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for two to four weeks reduced people’s risk from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common cancer in the United States, by 75% for one year.
More »
Some cases of ovarian cancer originate in the fallopian tubes. Some experts recommend that women who are undergoing pelvic surgery consider having their fallopian tubes removed, a strategy that may help prevent ovarian cancer. But there are potential risks of tube removal should be balanced against the potential benefits. A lack of information about the long-term risks of the procedure is one factor to consider.
(Locked)
More »
Tissue biopsies are the standard test for identifying cancer, but another approach, called a liquid biopsy, may provide a diagnosis when a traditional biopsy doesn’t. It uses a person’s blood to detect cancer and can help determine the right therapy.
More »
Know when and how to get screened for colon cancer.
More »
Precision medicine is an emerging approach to disease treatment and prevention that takes into account a person’s genes, environment, and lifestyle, and eliminates the one-size-fits-all approach to health care. Right now the greatest focus is on cancer. Doctors rely on genetic tests, family history, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors to determine if someone is more likely to get certain forms of cancer. Doctors then can use genetic testing to identify mutations in a tumor in order to match it with the best drug treatment.
(Locked)
More »
The cancer death rate is dropping, and more cancer treatments are becoming available.
More »
HEALTH TOPICS 