Cancer is a disease involving abnormal cell growth, which can spread to different parts of the body. One can witness cancer cells growing and dividing more quickly than normal cells, and they can invade nearby tissue or spread throughout the body.
The earlier doctors find the cancerous cells, the sooner they can start the treatment. With over 100 different cancer types, it's helpful to know the most common types of cancer and their warning signs. Prostate cancer only impacts men, while breast cancer is more common in women.
Several types of cancers don't show any symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. If a patient has any symptoms, it is best to consult with a physician immediately.
Here are 2 of the most common types of cancer:
1. Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer (including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) is the most prevalent type of cancer, impacting more than a million Americans annually. The ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight are the most common cause of skin cancer. Both the sun's UVA and UVB radiation are responsible for this disease.
Basal cell carcinoma may possibly grow on one's head, face, neck, and torso, while squamous cell carcinoma usually forms on areas of the body that have been exposed to sunlight, like the face.
Here are some common symptoms:
Signs of basal cell carcinoma:
? Sores that don't heal
? Sore that heals and reappears often
? Raised and scaly red patches
? Small, smooth, and shiny lumps that are often pink, red, or white in color
? Pale, flat areas of skin that resemble scars
? Growths or sores that itch, bleed, or have small blood vessels on their surface
? Pink growths with raised edges
Signs of squamous cell carcinoma:
? Scaly, red patches with uneven borders
? Wart-like growths
? Sores that bleed easily won't heal, or that form a crust that doesn't go away
? Itchy, painful, and irritated growths
2. Breast Cancer
Many things can cause breast cancer. It is not clear why breast cancer develops. Having a genetic history may make one more likely to get breast cancer, but it doesn't mean that they will get the disease. A range of environmental and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. These include carrying excess weight, having insufficient physical activity, drinking too much alcohol, not eating enough fruit and vegetables, taking hormone replacement therapy for menopause, and having high levels of estrogen.
Signs include:
? A lump or mass in the breast, armpit, or around the collarbone without any pain.
? Swelling in/around the breast
? Irritation, dimpling (cause the skin on the breast to look like an orange peel), thickening, or redness
? Pain in the breast or nipple
? Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
? Nipple retraction
These signs don't always mean an individual has breast cancer. It is crucial to head to a doctor when these symptoms are prevalent.
