| Cancer
is the production of out of control abnormal cells that grow and divide
and spread to other parts of the body. The cells will eventually accumulate
and form tumors that could damage normal tissue.
Some general symptoms of cancer could be unexplained weight loss, fever,
fatigue, or lumps on any part of the body. If you have a specific cancer
(breast, prostate) you may experience symptoms related to that type of
cancer.
If you suspect you may have cancer make an appointment with your physician
immediately. He or she will run tests and if necessary, refer you to an
oncologist. If it is confirmed that you have cancer the most common treatments
used today are radiation and chemotherapy. Many variables are used in
determining the treatment for cancer such as type of cancer, stage of
cancer, and age of patient. Your doctor will be able to discuss the types
of treatment with you and together you can determine the best course to
take.
According to the American Cancer Society half of all men and one-third
of all women in the United States will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
The good news is over half of all cancer patients are will be cured.
Below are some sites on the WWW selected by the HSA as being worthwhile
sources of information. They should NOT be relied upon for personal diagnosis
or treatment. These sites are provided for general educational aid only,
and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with your
physician. If you have questions, please contact your healthcare provider.
HSA does not endorse any of these organizations. This list is not comprehensive.
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