Cancer. Sometimes just the sound of the word strikes fear in our minds. There are over 200 different types. It is the second leading cause of death in the USA (after heart disease). The American Cancer society estimated there will be an estimated 1.8 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020 and 606,520 cancer deaths.

Where did cancer get its name? The “father of Medicine” and Greek physician, Hippocrates (460 – 370 BC) is credited as the originator of naming this disease. He used the terms carcinos and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer forming and ulcer forming tumors that he saw in his ancient practice. So, yes, cancer has been around for centuries. 

What is cancer? Simply put, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. When this occurs, they invade other tissues and cancerous cells develop as a result of the growth of mutations (defects) in the cell’s DNA.

In a healthy condition, new cells are created to replace cells that are damaged or die. Most of the time, cells are successful in finding and repairing the damage. When the damaged cells do not die but grow out of control and spread, cancer occurs. 

These are three words those dealing with cancer need to understand: 

Malignant – cancer, non-benign 

Benign – noncancerous, harmless

Metastasis – the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer

What are the symptoms and signs of cancer? The classic and well known “7 warning signs of cancer” are:

• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• Thickening or lump in the great or elsewhere.
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
• Obvious change in a wart or mole.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Others worth noting are:

• Unexplained weight loss of ten pounds or more
• Fever of unknown origin
• Mouth or tongue sores that don’t heal
• Bloating
• Trouble swallowing

Please note that none of these in themselves necessarily indicate cancer, that they are not specific to just cancer, and can be attributed to other health issues. However, if these are experienced for more than two weeks, it is a wise choice to contact your health care provider for a proper diagnosis…and to address your worry. Once a doctor told me to be careful about researching disease online because, “You’re learning just enough to put yourself in a frenzy.” While knowledge is good for caregivers, do not allow it to be a tool to self-diagnose. If you have questions about your loved one’s health – or your own – see a doctor.

How do age and gender play a role?  Researchers have long known that old age is the greatest risk factor for many types of cancer. (Remember, there are many types and therefore various risks). 

For males, the lifetime probability of developed cancer is 44.85%; it is 38.08% for females. The median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66 years. Because cancer can develop over decades before it is recognized, most cases are diagnosed over the age of 65, but people of any age from young children to the eldest in our population are diagnosed with cancer. 

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (about 25.4% of all cancers). Along with colorectal and lung cancers, these top three make up 43.9% of diagnosed cancers. This figure does not include non-melanoma skin cancer.

For men, the most common is lung cancer (about 15.5% of the total numbers.) Prostate, colorectal and lung cancers combined contribute 44.4%, again excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.  

What are risk factors? Scientists have concluded that “anything that may cause a normal body cell to develop abnormally potentially can cause cancer.” That’s rather broad. There are some more narrow categories of cancer-related agents including exposure to chemical or toxic compounds; environmental factors such as air pollution; inherited genetic defects; some pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses); and poor lifestyle choices such as the use of tobacco products and alcohol abuse.

It seems we live in a world rife with “causative agents.” Just read all the labels on stuff you buy – from weed killer to painted decorative items.

What are treatments? Cancer treatment has come a long, long way in the last few decades and mortality rates have greatly decreased. There are many screening tests available, but a definitive diagnosis is made when a sample of tissue is collected and biopsied (the examination of tissue removed from the human body to determine the presence, cause or extent of a disease.) 

Treatment varies according to the type and stage of the cancer, to best address each individual patient. The three main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Protocol may include one, two or all three of these.

There are many alternative remedies and treatments that some have found helpful. It is important to discuss these with your doctor before pursuing them. 

The prognosis of any cancer depends on its type and aggression and ranges from excellent to poor. Early detection remains the best way to conquer cancer.

I do hope this information hasn’t given you more questions than answers. If your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, do make a list of questions as they come to mind and discuss them at your next doctor’s visit.

Following is an article I wrote for my newspaper column in 2018 for those caring for loved ones with cancer. 

Diagnosis: Cancer – Now What?

It is estimated that 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year (2018). After a diagnosis of cancer has been made and a treatment plan scheduled, the patient and family members will experience many challenges.

Caring for a loved one with cancer is usually accompanied by feelings of anxiety and fear. In many ways, this situation differs from caring for the elderly or those with dementia. Cancer can strike at any age. It usually occurs without warning. Although care is needed, a person with cancer may be able to continue many routine activities. Numerous cancer patients become cancer survivors and others may live a productive life, with the disease in remission, for years. When the initial diagnosis is made, there is no way of knowing the degree and duration of the care that will be required. 

Outpatient treatment centers – instead of inpatient hospital care – are the site of most cancer treatments. This means that the majority of care, including the critical times just after the administration of chemotherapy and radiation, will be the caregiver’s responsibility. It is imperative to learn as much as possible, not only about the original diagnosis, but also the side effects of treatments and the best remedies to address them. These will be some of the most difficult days of the journey. 

Another important role for the caregiver of a cancer patient is to keep the lines of communication open. People react differently and the goal is to allow self-expression, whatever that may involve. Be patient and listen attentively to discern true feelings. While it is helpful to encourage conversation, be sensitive and respect the right of your loved one to remain quiet when she is not in the mood to talk. 

As much as possible, continue life as it was before the diagnosis. Cancer patients often feel as if they no longer have any control over their lives. Allow them to make decisions; facilitate their being able to participate in favorite activities; maintain traditional celebrations they will help them feel connected to families and friends. Because depression often occurs, plan special events that will serve as a distraction from the negative aspects. Put time and thought into planning them with your loved one, as anticipation of pleasurable events can be a great mood-booster.

When my sister Rodema was in the last stages of cancer, Tuesday afternoons became our time to do something special together (and allow her caring family some needed and well-deserved respite time). We took long drives in the country, the voices of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir reverberating from the CD player. We went out to lunch and shopped for dolls for her daughter Olivia’s collection. We sneaked pimento cheese sandwiches (just once!) into the movie theater and giggled as we watched an amusing matinee. We enjoyed each other, and for the moment, didn’t think about cancer.

It is crucial for the caregiver to also serve as a cheerleader. Because of the negative side effects that are probable after a treatment, encouragement is needed to ensure that the patient continues to pursue the plan that provides the best options for recovery. Keeping a positive attitude while assisting with daily care and making sure the loved one sticks with a healthy diet and gets the recommended amount of sleep are other ways to enhance the quality of care.  

P.S. added 8-23-2020

In these days of Covid, I stepped out of my car in the grocery store parking lot the other day, mask in place, and noticed another masked woman sitting in the passenger seat of the car beside me. (New normal.)

“How are you?” I projected my voice so she could hear me through the three layers of cotton.

“I’m on my way home from another chemotherapy treatment,” she revealed.

“Oh, I know that’s difficult; how do you feel?”

We continued our conversation for about ten minutes, as I allowed her to tell me her story. First diagnosed in 2018; treatment; in remission; new diagnosis in other breast recently; new round of treatments. She was upbeat and I tried to match her perspective. I asked her name so I could add her to my prayer list. Under the circumstances, it was a pleasant encounter; and a good reminder that many people in this strange new world could use an encouraging word and a mask-covered smile. I was thankful she was there to give those two gifts to me.