Health

Health 101

Right now, cancer is one of the most feared diseases in the world. In the early 1990s almost 6 million new cancer cases developed and more than 4 million deaths from cancers occurred. Also more than one-fifth of all deaths were caused by cancer and it has been predicted, by the American Cancer Society, that about 33% of Americans will eventually develop this disease. This is a huge disease that is killing people all over the world.

There are many different cancers, which form on just about all parts of the body. In the US, skin cancer is the most common cancer, then prostate cancers in males, and then breast cancer in women. Leukemia is clearly the dominant cancer in children. The number one killing cancer in the world today is lung cancer, mostly caused by the smoking of cigarettes. Some researchers have stated that if Americans stopped smoking, lung-cancer deaths could disintegrate within two decades. Stomach cancer is the second most fatal cancer in males and in women, breast cancer.

After taking a cancer profile test online, http://www.yourcancerrisk.harvard.edu, I was able to predict what my cancer risk would be at the age of 40 for prostate and kidney cancer. According to the information obtained, I was reluctant to see that I would have a below average risk for kidney cancer and have a much below average risk for prostate cancer. Even though it is unknown why cancer happens in some people and not in others, heredity seems to have an effect in some forms of cancer. Because of this, family history may be significant in predicting and diagnosing cancer. I have no family history of anyone having these type of cancers, so therefore my chances of getting these cancers goes down. My daily lifestyle is also a significant factor which affects my risk level for both cancers. By not smoking cigarettes and not being overweight at the age of 40 I will significantly decrease my risk of kidney cancer, and by eating five or more servings of tomato-based foods a week I will drastically decrease my risk of prostate cancer.

One can not fully rely on an online test to determine their risk level for certain cancers, since the test isn't intended to protect one from the disease. One of the most important ways to protect yourself is early detection. It is stressed that you get treatment as soon as possible. The American Cancer Society has come up with seven warning signs of cancer to help you identify cancer symptoms and get help early. They are: 1.a change in bowel or bladder functions; 2.a sore that does not heal; 3.unusual bleeding or discharge; 4.a thickening or lump on the body; 5.indigestion or trouble swallowing; 6.an obvious change