Day 123: Cancer Control Month

What is Cancer? Cancer is the term used to describe many diseases that are characterized by abnormal division of mutated cells. Sometimes, the mutated cells cause the destruction of healthy cells and tissue. These mutated cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic system and are called malignant cancer cells.

The more we can learn about what causes cancer, the more likely we are to find ways to prevent it. Scientists study patterns of cancer in the population to look for factors that affect the risk of developing this disease. In the laboratory, they explore possible causes of cancer and try to determine what actually happens when normal cells become cancerous.

Cancer Control Month highlights advances in fighting cancer. This includes prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. One way to control cancer is to find cancer cells and get rid of them. Cancer screenings can help find cancer early. The earlier the cancer is found, the better the prognosis. While everyone is at risk for cancer, some people are at greater risk than others are. Age is the greatest risk factor for cancer, since nearly 76% of cancers are detected at age 55 and older. Also, people who use tobacco, drink heavily, are physically inactive, eat a poor diet, are regularly exposed to carcinogens (cancer causing agents) in their occupation, or have prolonged and unprotected exposure to sunlight are all at increased risk for certain cancers.

The number of new cases of cancer in the United States is increasing each year. People of all ages get cancer, but nearly all types are more common in middle-aged and elderly people than in young people. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer for both men and women. The next most common type among men is prostate cancer; among women, it is breast cancer. Lung cancer, however, is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the United States. Brain cancer and leukemia are the most common cancers in children and young adults.

The National Children's Leukemia Foundation (NCLF) is one of the leading organizations in the fight against leukemia and cancer for children and adults. The mission of the NCLF is to provide the cure for cancer and other life-threatening diseases throughout the world, and to insure that all persons, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status or country of residence, have access to life-saving medical care. The NCLF supports medical research and direct patient care programs that ease the financial, social and psychological burdens of families with a diagnosis of cancer or other serious blood disorders. Through their hotline, they offer comprehensive information to any caller, and provide referrals for initial testing, physicians, hospital admissions, and treatment options.

Donation $5

To support The National Children's Leukemia Foundation, please visit: http://www.leukemiafoundation.org/