What Is Cancer?
Cancer occurs when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all come about because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. Different kinds of cancer can behave very differently, they grow at different rates and respond to different treatments.
While there are many many different types of cancer, it is The Alliance's intention to increase community awareness on breast and prostate cancer. The increasing numbers of people diagnosed with cancer can be attributed to many factors, the number one being health disparities. As with most diseases regular checkups and early detection can be the difference between being diagnosed with cancer and dying from cancer.
Reports from the American Cancer Society show that cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans and will be responsible for an estimated 14,600 deaths in Georgia in 2004 alone. It is also estimated that there will be 35,430 new cases of cancer in Georgia in 2004. Cancer does not effect all races equally, Black Americans are more likely to die from cancer than people of any other racial or ethnic group due to the health disparities.
What Is Meant by Health Disparities?
Many different demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are associated with health-related disparities. These include income, race/ethnicity, culture, geography (urban/rural), age, sex, sexual orientation, literacy, and other factors. In 2003, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a comprehensive review of racial and ethnic disparities in health care. The IOM report, and other authoritative reviews, describe a model in which health care disparities arise from complex interplay of economic, social and cultural factors.
Poverty is the most critical factor affecting health and longevity. Socioeconomic status influences the prevalence of underlying risk factors for cancer (such as tobacco use and obesity), access to appropriate early detection and cancer treatment, general medical care, and palliative care. Social inequities, such as the legacy of racial discrimination in the united States, can still influence the interactions between patients and physicians. Cultural factors, including language, beliefs, values, and traditions can influence underlying risk factors, health behaviors, beliefs about illness, and approaches to medical care.
Breast Cancer
Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first starts. Breast cancer begins in the breast tissue. While it usually affects women, men can also get breast cancer, although this is rare the number of men being diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing.
Signs & Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Although widespread use of screening mammography has increased the number of breast cancers found before they cause any symptoms, some are not found because some people don't have the test done or because even under ideal conditions, mammography cannot find every breast cancer.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A lump that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer. In some rare cases the lumps are tender, soft, and rounded. It's important to have anything unusual checked out by your doctor.
Other signs of breast cancer include the following:
A swelling of part of the breast
Skin irritation or dimpling
Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
A nipple discharge other than breast milk
A lump in the underarm area
How is Breast Cancer Found?
The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 40 and over have yearly mammograms, that women between the ages of 20 and 39 have a clinical breast exam every three years and that all women should do a breast self examination each month.
For additional information on breast cancer please visit the American Cancer Society's website.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found only in men, therefor, only men get prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. Prostate cancer is about twice as common among African-American men as it is among white American men. It is most common in North America and northwestern Europe. The prostate is about the size of a walnut, it is just below the bladder and in front on the rectum. The tube that carries urine (urethra) runs through the prostate.
Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. Problems with urinating may be a sign of prostate cancer but more often this problem is cause by a less serious disease known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include the following:
Trouble having or keeping and erection (impotence)
Blood in the urine
Pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, or ribs
Once again, these symptoms can be caused by other diseases. If certain symptoms or the results of early detection tests have suggested you might have prostate cancer, your doctor will use further tests to find out whether the disease is present.
How is Prostate Cancer Found?
The earlier prostate cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50, all men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy should be offered both the PSA bloodtest and a digital rectal exam annually and that men in high-risk groups (African Americans, men with close family members who have had prostate cancer) should begin testing at 45 years.
For additional information on prostate cancer please visit the American Cancer Society's website.
