CANCER:
DON'T GET SCARED, GET INFORMED!
Cancer is scary to think about.
But it may be a lot less scary if you learn as much as you can about it.
WHAT IS CANCER?
Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells grow in a way that is not normal.
When these abnormal cells spread, cancer can kill.
But even if the disease has spread, it may be controlled or the patient
may be cured. Many people live long and active lives after they've been treated for cancer.
WHAT
ARE THE MOST COMMON CANCERS?
More
men and woman get skin cancer than any other form of the disease. Here are other common cancers:
Men
lung
prostate
colon and rectal
pancreatic |
Women
lung
breast
ovarian
uterine
|
OUT OF YOUR CONTROL
Some factors are out of your control.
Your
chance of getting cancer is affected by your age, sex, race, and family medical
history. If a close relative has had breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer, for example, that means you have a
greater risk of getting these cancers.
IT'S A FACT!
Smokers are ten times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers are,
according to the American Cancer Society.
IN YOUR CONTROL
Some factors are in your control. Do any
of the following apply to you?
- I smoke. I spend
a lot of time exposed to the sun. I
eat a lot of fatty foods.
- I
drink high amounts of alcohol.
If
you checked any of those statements, you are doing things that will increase
your risk of getting cancer.
- I
get a lot of exercise.
- I eat healthful foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
If
you checked either or, better yet, both statements, you are doing things that
will help lower your cancer risk.FIND
IT EARLY
It
is very important to catch cancer early. Check out these graphs to see what a big difference catching it early makes.
WHAT
IS THE PROBABILITY OF A WOMAN GETTING BREAST CANCER?
As
this graph shows, the woman’s age is a big factor.
Age
30s
40s
50s
60s |
Probability
1 out of 250
1 out of 77
1 out of 42
1 out of 36 |
TRY THIS
How
much do you know about cancer? Based
on what you've read and your common sense, check the correct answer.
-
Who has a greater chance of getting breast cancer?
a. a woman in her 30s
b. a woman in her 40s
c. a woman in her 50s
Women whose mothers had breast cancer:
a. are at a greater risk of getting it, too.
b. won't get it.
c. should avoid doctors.
-
Is this statement true or false?
The sooner a cancer is found and
treated, the better a patient's chance of a cure.
a. true
b. false
Education
Development Center, Inc. © 2001.Answers:
1. c; 2. a; 3.a
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