National Cancer Control Month

Cancer, since its first discovery, has been all too deadly to those diagnosed. April, Cancer Control Month, is dedicated to raising awareness for cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

Prevention

Although not 100% preventable, according to the Mayo Clinic there are several ways to reduce your chances of getting cancer. These include a healthy diet, limited use of tobacco, protecting yourself from the sun and getting vaccinations. Through these measures, you are at a lower risk for developing a variety of different cancers.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet consists of eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and proteins. Also, limiting your overly-processed foods can help reduce your risk of not only cancer but of other heart related deceases.

Tobacco Use

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and deaths. It can cause not only lung cancer — but also cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and a type of leukemia. By limiting or completely cutting out your use of tobacco, you are less likely to develop these kinds of cancers.

Detection

According to the American Cancer Society, some cancers can be found early before they have had the chance to grow and spread through screenings. Annual screening are the best way to test for cancer, and you should also consult with a doctor annually to see if, and when, screenings are right for you. Know when screening are best for you as different cancers can become more threatening at different ages. For example, breast cancer is more threatening for women over 40 while men 40 and over are more at risk for prostate cancer.

Cancer can also be detected through a biopsy. In the laboratory, doctors look at cell samples under the microscope. Normal cells look uniform, with similar sizes and orderly organization. Cancer cells look less orderly, with varying sizes and without apparent organization. Your doctor may recommend a biopsy if they find something suspicious during a physical exam or other tests, so getting an annual exam is impertinent to your health routine.

Treatment

There are many types of treatment. The types of treatment that you receive will depend on the type of and how advanced it is. Some people with will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and confused. But, talking with your doctor and learning about the types of treatment you may have can help you feel more in control.

Premier Patient Housing hopes this information helps, and we hope we can help with housing if illness ever strikes you and you family. No matter where you’re from, you always have a home in Houston.