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Knowledge is power -

As with any act of conscientious prevention, the bedrock of cancer prevention is the knowledge of what you are fighting against, what its causes are, and what you can do to best avoid it. With that in mind, let's start with some basics.

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What exactly is cancer? -

It's no secret that cancer is dangerous and deadly, but what exactly is it? Cancer begins as a tumor, an abnormal growth that can appear anywhere on or inside the body. If left untreated, cancerous cells can escape the tumor and start attacking the rest of the body.

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Different types of tumors -

All cancers, except for leukemia, start with a tumor, but there are different types of tumors. Tumors aren't actually all that uncommon, but thankfully many tumors end up being benign, or noncancerous. The cells that make up benign tumors are usually no different from other normal, healthy cells.

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Malignant vs. premalignant -

The dangerous tumors are those considered malignant, or premalignant. Malignant tumors are made up of cancerous cells, are able to grow at an accelerated rate, and will eventually spread throughout the body if left unchecked. Premalignant tumors are those that are caught early enough to be removed or treated, but have the potential to turn cancerous and spread.

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Carcinoma and sarcoma -

The type of cancer that develops from a tumor depends on where in the body it originates. Carcinoma, the most common type of cancer, starts in the cell lining of organs such as the lungs or the stomach. Sarcoma is cancer that originates in tissues such as bone or fat.

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Lymphoma and myeloma -

Lymphoma and myeloma are both forms of cancer that begin in the body's immune systems. Lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, which runs throughout the entire body, while myeloma starts in the white plasma blood cells whose job in the immune system is to fight off infections.

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Leukemia -

Leukemia, cancer that begins in bone marrow and white blood cells, is the only cancer that doesn't collect in tumors. This makes it particularly dangerous, as it is exceedingly difficult to detect at an early stage.

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Central nervous system cancers -

"Central nervous system cancers" is a blanket term that refers to cancers that start in the brain or along the spinal cord. Many nervous system tumors prove to be benign, but malignant tumors affecting the nervous system can be particularly painful and deadly.

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Is cancer equally prominent around the world? -

Cancer may seem like a tragic fact that affects the whole world equally, but that is far from the truth. Factors such as access to affordable healthcare, pollution, and safe working conditions tilt global cancer rates in the same direction as financial security. Indeed, 70% of the 10 million annual global cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and areas.

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What are the most common causes of cancer? -

Smoking tobacco accounts for a mind-boggling one third of cancer deaths worldwide. Other primary causes are morbid obesity, a poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.

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How expensive is cancer? -

For many people around the world, the first and most immediate danger of cancer is the price tag. For some, prevention is the only weapon against cancer at their disposal. In some places like the United States, the cost of cancer treatment is rarely less than US$51,000. This daunting cost can make treatment an impossibility for the world's most vulnerable.

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Cancer survival by the numbers -

Statistics taken from the United States in 2021 show that 67% of cancer patients who receive treatment survive for at least five years after their diagnosis. This percentage drops to 18% for those who live on for another 20 years after diagnosis. It is estimated that only one out of every 100,000 people diagnosed with cancer will survive if they are unable or choose not to receive treatment.

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Working towards a cure -

Talk amongst the public and the scientific community about a cure of cancer is so common it's become a cliché. Despite the best efforts of scientists and medical professionals around the world, a surefire cure for cancer continues to elude us.

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The powers of prevention -

With what we know about the cost of cancer treatment and the uncertainty of the treatment that is available, the old adage of "prevention is better than cure" begins to ring true. Prevention is undoubtedly the most feasible and effective protection against cancer.

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HPV and hepatitis B vaccines -

Making sure you're up to date with your vaccines can be your ticket to a cancer-free life. In particular, vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis B prevent tens of thousands of cancer diagnoses every year. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes 90% of all cervical cancers, while hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer around the world.

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What to avoid -

Prevention is synonymous with avoidance. Anything that you know to increase the chances of cancer should be controlled and avoided in an appropriate manner.

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Modifiable risk factors -

There are many risk factors that can lead to cancer, but they are mostly divided into two categories. The first category consists of modifiable risk factors, or the causes of cancer that are within an individual's own control. An estimated 40% of global cancer deaths have the potential for prevention, as they are caused by modifiable risk factors.

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Modifiable risk factors -

Examples of modifiable risk factors include alcohol and tobacco use, diet, body weight to a reasonable extent, using protection during intercourse, and protecting yourself from potentially dangerous sunrays.

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Non-modifiable risk factors -

Risk factors that are inextricably intertwined with an individual's life or body are known as non-modifiable risk factors. Age, for example, is uncontrollable, and is directly correlated with the risk of cancer.

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Trouble in the genes -

Genetics are also considered non-modifiable risk factors. A history of cancer in an individual's family doesn't mean they are doomed to a cancer-related death, but it does mean they are at an increased risk of developing cancerous tumors.

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Life-saving screening -

Going in for regular cancer screenings is the best way to make sure you catch cancer soon enough to remove if through surgery. Screenings are available for most types of cancers, and are recommended more and more as one progresses through life.

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When should you get screened? -

Breast cancer screenings are recommended for women over 40 years old, with the chances of developing breast cancer dropping off after the age of 74. Cervical screening is recommended between the ages of 21 and 65, while lung cancer screenings are advisable for current or former heavy smokers between the ages of 50 and 80.

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Early signs of cancer -

Although screening is the best and most reliable way to catch cancer early, there are other empirically observable signs that you can look out for.

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What to watch out for -

Any serious or unexplained changes to your physiology should be treated with seriousness. Unexplainable blood in your coughs or stool, fatigue, pain, and new and strange lumps on the body are just a few phenomena to look out for.

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Cancer staging -

Talking about cancer is difficult, but it is important to know the nomenclature just in case. Cancer is usually described using the TNM staging technique. T, for tumor, relates to the dimensions of the primary tumor; N, for nodes, indicates whether or not cancer cells have reached the patient's lymph nodes; M, for metastasis, whether the cancer has spread from its initial area to another part of the body.

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Why are lymph nodes so important? -

Lymph nodes are so central to conversations about the spread of cancer because they act as filters and gateways for the rest of the body, through the lymphatic system. Once cancer has reached the lymph nodes, the chances of it spreading to other parts of the body are much higher.

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Metastasis -

In order to reach the lymph nodes and other parts of the body, cancer cells must go through a process called metastasis. Through metastasis, cancerous cells become able to break off from the primary tumor, travel, and reattach themselves somewhere else in the body. These new masses of cancer are known as metastases.

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Managing cancer -

Individuals diagnosed with cancer still have a wealth of tools at their disposable to fight, and hopefully beat, their disease. Apart from treatment, which is necessary, maintaining cancer prevention techniques can also help make recovery more likely.

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The power of the mind -

Unfortunately, it's a myth that positive thinking can have a physical effect on cancer cells. However, appropriate therapy, support groups, and productive talks about cancer and its myriad of side effects can have a life-changing impact on a patient's quality of life and reduce the risk of developing serious mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.

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Surviving cancer and survivorship -

Cancer survivors can have an incredible impact on cancer awareness and prevention. Navigating survivorship can be difficult and confusing after facing one's own mortality, but it can also channel energy into helping others do their best to avoid the same pain.

See also: Surprising things that can cause cancer

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