Cancer is a scary word. Between the side effects, treatment process, and overall discomfort that comes with cancer treatments, it’s no wonder so many people are scared of this disease. But what’s even scarier than all of these things combined? The fact that there are so many types of cancer out there. Luckily for us, we’ve compiled a list of the most common cancers to help you be prepared should one strike your life or someone close to you! Read on and get educated about some of the most common forms of cancer.
Lung Cancer
The most common form of cancer in the world is lung cancer. It accounts for about 23% of all cancers worldwide, with most patients being current or former smokers. Despite its extremely high rate of occurrence, lung cancer has the lowest survival rates amongst all common cancers because it is usually diagnosed at a late stage.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world. Although it accounts for only about 12% of all cancers, it is the most common cancer amongst women and one of the leading causes of death amongst women. Breast cancer can either be invasive or non-invasive and has many subtypes, including:
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) – This is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer where there are abnormal cells that ‘invade’ through tissue. IBC affects about 7,000 women every year in the United States alone.
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) – LCIS occurs when abnormal lobules grow inside milk-producing glands.
Breast Adenocarcinoma (BAC) – This type of breast cancer is non-invasive and most commonly occurs in the milk ducts.
Mucinous Breast Cancer (MBC) – MBC accounts for about 15% of Breast Cancer and is characterized by cancer cells and mucus-forming a lump and spreading into nearby tissues.
Colloid Breast Cancer (CBC) – CBC is the rarest form of non-invasive breast cancer and accounts for less than 1% of all cases.
Coloragio IBC (Carcinoma of the Breast) -This subtype tends to occur more in black women and has a greater risk for reoccurrence after treatment, but overall has a positive prognosis.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the third most common type of cancer and accounts for around 5% percent of cancers worldwide. Most skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas. Although a rare form of cancer, melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer. It typically occurs in those over 50 and strikes more men than women. Skin cancer is most common amongst those who live in areas that receive a lot of sunlight.
You can prevent skin cancer by seeking shade between the hours of 10 am-4 pm, wearing sunscreen year-round, avoiding tanning beds, and carefully checking your skin for changes throughout each month.
Depending on how severe it is, you may treat melanoma cancer through surgical excision, debridement, radiation therapy, or other forms of treatment.
Leukemia
Leukemia is the most common form of cancer amongst kids, but it can also affect adults. It accounts for about 1% of all cancers worldwide. There are four main types of leukemia:
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) – Leukemia can be a tricky form of cancer to detect. Most types are diagnosed when a patient exhibits symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, recurrent infections, or unexplained bruising. Fortunately, a lot can be done to treat this disease, with most patients going into remission within a few weeks.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) – Despite the name, ALL is not limited to affecting only young children. Doctors can detect ALL through blood work which is why they can often treat this disease before any symptoms occur. Although there are no proven preventative measures that will lower your risk of developing this cancer, you may be able to reduce risk by limiting exposure to pesticides.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) – AML is another type of leukemia that can affect people at any age. Although it is not very common, it is the most lethal form of leukemia.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is responsible for about 10% of all cancers and ranks as the third leading cause of death from cancer in the US. It’s more prevalent amongst those over 50 years old, but it can also affect those under 50. There are three types of colon cancer:
Adenomatous Polyps – Researchers are just beginning to find out the function of these cancerous growths. Some theorize that they can lead to tumors or even cancer. These polyps also carry an elevated risk for developing other forms of cancers, including rectal and uterine cancer.
Adenocarcinoma – In most cases, adenocarcinoma begins as a polyp that grows into a tumor. Adenocarcinoma is typically found in the lower intestine and is less likely to spread than other forms of colon cancer.
Sarcoma – This form of cancer can affect those under 50 and has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease. Research indicated it was rare for people under the age of 40 to develop sarcoma in the past. Still, recent studies show a correlation between inflammatory bowel disease and family history.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of cancer. They all have unique symptoms that help you recognize the disease early on to receive better treatment. If you have more questions, make sure to talk to your doctor. Also, if you have any symptoms, please see your doctor immediately!
