Understanding the Cancer Diagnosis

What is Cancer? What is it Caused By?

Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow too fast and may spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Many things can cause these changes (mutations) to your cells:

Environmental and lifestyle factors: air quality, smoking, alcohol, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, obesity, and exposure to UV radiation.
Genetic Factors: family history, inherited genetic mutations. This accounts for a small percentage of cancers.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Signs and symptoms of cancer depend on where it starts, how big it is, and how it affects nearby organs. If cancer spreads, symptoms can show up in other parts of the body.

When to see a provider

If you’re having any symptoms that won’t go away or that get worse, see a provider so they can help you find out what is the cause. If it is cancer, finding out early gives you the best chance at a successful treatment.

Some common signs and symptoms that may be linked to cancer, but can also be caused by other things:

Fatigue or tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest
Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
Weight loss or gain of 10 pounds or more, for no clear reason
Skin changes (yellowing, darkening, redness, sores) that won’t heal or changes to moles
Trouble breathing, cough, or difficulty swallowing that does not go away
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Pain that does not go away
Fever or night sweats that do not go away

How is Cancer Diagnosed?

Finding cancer in the earliest stage gives the best chance for a cure. Your provider may use one or more of the following ways to diagnose cancer:

Physical Exam: looking for changes, lumps, and reviewing your symptoms
Urine and/or blood tests: help your provider find abnormal results that can be caused by cancer
Imaging (Radiology) tests: providers use imaging tests of the inside of your body to look for cancer and find how far it has spread
Biopsy: collecting a sample for testing in the laboratory. Looking for cells that are normal or abnormal (cancer cells).

What Do The Cancer Stages Mean?

Cancer stages are indicated by numbers 0 through 4. This helps to describe the size, location, and spread of cancer. It helps you and your care team determine the treatment plan.

Stage 0: Abnormal cells that have not spread anywhere
Stage 1: Cancer is small and contained to one area
Stage 2-3: Cancer has grown larger and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to other tissues and distant areas of the body