Guide Note

Cancer is the umbrella term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide in an uncontrollable fashion. The extra cells often form tumors. Malignant tumors send out cells that attack other areas of the body. Cancers are divided into distinct categories based on where they begin.

Prognosis is contingent on the type of cancer that a person has. While many forms of cancer are often treatable, other cancers have claimed the lives of millions. Treatment options for cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery among others.¹

Fast Facts

Over 100 types
Can affect any part of body
70% of deaths occur in low income countries²
Largest preventable cause of cancer death: Tobacco³
40% of cases could be prevented²
Most common type: Skin cancer⁴

Basic Categories

Sarcoma: Connective/supportive tissue
Carcinoma: Skin/tissue coating organs
Leukemia: Bone marrow, blood-forming tissue
Lymphoma/myeloma: Immune system
Central nervous system: Brain/spinal cord

United States Statistics

Second leading cause of death⁵
New cases: Estimated 1,437,180 in 2008⁶
Deaths: Estimated 565,650 in 2008⁶
About half of diagnosed cancer is skin cancer

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have cancer, please consult your doctor.

Related Pages on Mahalo

Breast Cancer | Lung Cancer | Brain Cancer | Kanzius Machine | Leukemia | Melanoma | Chemotherapy | Skin Cancer | Bladder Cancer | Cervical Cancer | Prostate Cancer | Uterine Cancer | Radiation Therapy | Multiple Myeloma | Fatigue | Radiation Therapy | Jade Goody Cancer

Categories

Health | Cancer | Diseases | Mens Health | Womens Health | Childhood Diseases

View Note History

Cancer

The Mahalo Top 7

American Cancer Society (ACS): Cancer Home Page
National Cancer Insitute (NCI): Comprehensive Cancer Information
MedlinePlus: Cancer
MayoClinic.com: Cancer Center
World Health Organization (WHO): Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Cancer A to Z
Mahalo's Guides to Specific Cancers

Cancer News and Articles

MSNBC.com: Cancer News
New York Times: Health Topic: Cancer
Topix: Cancer News
HealthDay: New Clues to How Cancer Spreads (July 30, 2008)
Scientific American: Body's Own Immune Cells Whack Late-Stage Tumor (June 18, 2008)
ScienceDaily: Researchers Pinpoint How Smoking Causes Cancer (May 14, 2008)
ScienceDaily: Structure Of Protein That Repairs Damage To Cancer Cells Revealed (April 25, 2008)
HealthDay: Factors in Cancer Death Rates Stay Stagnant (April 22, 2008)
HealthDay: Treatment Bias Can Skew Results of Observational Studies (April 21, 2008)
HealthDay: Many Cancer Survivors Are Overweight and Sedentary (April 21, 2008)
HealthDay: Exercise Combats Cancer Fatigue (April 18, 2008)
HealthDay: Most Cancer Survivors Say Chemo Fears Unfounded (April 4, 2008)
HealthDay: Identical Genes From Parents May Raise Cancer Risk (March 25, 2008)
HealthDay: Cancer Poses Challenges for Husbands' Frame of Mind (March 20, 2008)
HealthDay: Combo Treatment Ups Survival When Cancer... March 14, 2008)
HealthDay: Heart Hormones Beat Back Cancers in Mice (February 28, 2008)
HealthDay: Anemia Drugs for Cancer Patients Increase Death Risk (February 26, 2008)
HealthDay: Cancer Death Rates Still Declining (February 20, 2008)
HealthDay: Transparent Fish Gives New Window on Disease (February 6, 2008)
CNN.com: 'Honey, Mommy has cancer' (January 28, 2008)
ScienceDaily: Researchers Train The Immune System To Deliver Virus That... (December 20, 2007)
Science Daily: Marine Biotechnologists Treat Cancer With Mud-loving Ocean Bacteria (November 1, 2007)
HealthDay: Genetics Hold Promise, Challenges for Cancer Care (September 16, 2007)
HealthDay: Education Linked to Cancer Death Rates (September 12, 2007)
HealthDay: Vitamin C Plus Fat Might Spur Cancer (September 6, 2007)
CBS News: "Fascinating" Possible Cancer Treatment (August 27, 2007)
The New York Times: Cancer Patients, Lost in a Maze of Uneven Care (July 29, 2007)
FOXNews.com: FDA Declines to Fast-Track Glaxo Vaccine (May 31, 2007)
FOXNews.com: Cancer Expected to Skyrocket in Asia (May 31, 2007)
CBS News: Cancer May Be Next Wave Of 9/11 Illnesses (May 31, 2007)

Cancer Facts

NCI: Fact Sheets
WHO: Cancer Fact Sheet
ACS: Detailed Guide: Cancer (General Information)
Wikipedia: Cancer

Cancer Staging and Survival Rates

ACS: What Is Staging?
NCI: Staging: Questions and Answers
Wikipedia: Cancer Staging
MayoClinic.com: Cancer Survival Rate: A Tool to Understand Your Prognosis

Cancer Treatment Options

NCI: Cancer Treatment
ACS: How Is Cancer Treated?
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Cancer: Choosing a Treatment Program

Cancer Holistic and Alternative Treatment

ACS: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
MedlinePlus: Cancer Alternative Therapies
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): Cancer and CAM
The Issels Treatment: Comprehensive Immunotherapy for Cancer

Cancer Prevention

NCI: Prevention, Genetics, Causes
ACS: Can Cancer Be Prevented?
MayoClinic.com: Cancer Prevention: 7 Steps to Reduce Your Risk
FOXNews.com: Raise a Pint: Scientists Say Beer Has Essential Cancer-Fighting Agents (January 14, 2008)

Cancer Scientific and Medical Journal Articles

Journal of the American Medical Association Search: Cancer
PubMed Central Search: Cancer
Cancer Research: Archive of Issues by Date
American Association for Cancer Research

Cancer Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Neoplasms Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma Clinical Trials
CenterWatch: Cancer/Tumors Clinical Trials

Cancer Support Groups

Cancer Discussion and Blogs