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Symptoms Of Lip Cancer

You could be young or old. A man or a woman. Of any race. Have a lifestyle or family history that puts you at risk--or "live by the book"--and still be diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer is an indiscriminate illness, which makes it all the more frightening. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in two men and one in three women will get cancer in their lifetime. Those odds are enough to scare anyone.

Yet, the news is not all bad. People diagnosed with cancer today have a far greater chance of beating it than ever before. Advancements in treatment and technology, though costly, offer hope to more people each year.

More people now take charge of their own health care, becoming better informed and performing self-examinations that help their doctors diagnose cancer in its earliest, and most treatable, stages.

Further, studies have shown that one-third of cancer deaths each year could be 100 percent prevented because they are related to the way you live, eat, or work. You can make changes in your lifestyle that could mean you will never fight cancer at all.

Cancer will likely touch someone you know. So what can be done to alleviate the uncertainties and fear?

THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

Information is the first line of defense. Knowing what you are up against and making changes where you can is a positive step. For persons 50 and older, certain cancers are a bigger concern. Here is an overview of five major cancer groups:

Prostate--An estimated 230,110 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004, more than twice the number of men diagnosed with lung cancer, the next most frequently diagnosed cancer.

Persons at the highest risk are men older than 65 and those with a family history of prostate cancer. A higher incidence also is seen among African-American men.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include enlargement of the prostate gland, which leads to difficulty urinating and urinary control; frequent, painful, or burning urination; and/or blood in the urine. When detected early, the five-year survival rate for men with prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent. The American Cancer Society recommends, as preventive measures, avoiding obesity; eating a varied and moderate diet of fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods; cutting down on fat; avoiding smoked, salted, and nitrate-cured foods; and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum. Beginning at age 50 (or at age 45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer), men should have a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year.

Lung--An estimated 173,770 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 2004, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Lung cancer cases are finally decreasing slightly, mainly because more adults are quitting smoking. But smoking among teens is increasing, perhaps eventually leading to a rise in lung cancer in the future.

By far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer is smoking. In fact, smoking (cigarettes, cigars, or pipe) accounts for 87 percent of all lung cancer cases. Other substances, such as exposure to asbestos, chemicals, and air pollution may also be factors. Symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever without a known reason, weight loss/loss of appetite, and recurring bronchial ailments.

Early detection is difficult because symptoms don't often appear until the disease is advanced. Chest x-rays, analysis of cells in the phlegm, and biopsy are tools the physician uses to make a diagnosis.

Breast--The breast is the most frequent site for cancer in women. Approximately 215,990 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women in 2004--more than twice the number of cases as lung cancer, the second most common cancer for women.

Heredity and age are two big risk factors. Having a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer approximately doubles your risk for the disease. And 77 percent of women with breast cancer are age 50 or older when first diagnosed. Other risk factors include never having given birth or having a first child after age 30, a high-fat diet, drinking two or more alcoholic drinks per day, and being overweight.

Women play a critical role in monitoring their health. In fact, many women discover tumors on their own, by accident or during a monthly self-exam. In addition to lumps in the breasts or under the arms, symptoms include changes in breast size, shape, or color, as well as discharge or tenderness.

Physicians recommend that women begin breast self-examinations between ages 18 and 20 and have professional breast exams every one to three years until age 40, and annually thereafter.

In addition, the American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 35 to 39 have a baseline mammogram; women 40 to 49 have a mammogram every one to two years; and women age 50 and older have a mammogram annually. Women can also reduce the risk of tumors with a lower fat diet and by eating more fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

Colon and Rectal--Colon and rectal cancers have dropped by about 3 percent over the last five years, likely due to increased screening and awareness. Still, colon and rectal cancers remain the third most common cancer for both men and women. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, stomach discomfort and gas, weight loss, and a change in bowel habits. People with family histories of these cancers, polyps, or bowel disease may be at higher risk. An inactive lifestyle or a diet high in fat may also contribute to a higher risk.

The American Cancer Society recommends cutting down on fatty foods while increasing fiber, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in the diet. In addition, they recommend that you talk to your doctor about screening tests starting at age 50.

Skin--Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States, with more than one million cases per year. Although the number of cases continues to rise by approximately 3 percent each year, the survival rate is significant.

The two types of skin cancer are non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer is far more common: It's related to sun exposure and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Melanoma skin cancer is rare but deadly. Although it accounts for only 5 percent of all skin cancers, it causes 77 percent of skin cancer deaths. If melanoma skin cancer is caught before it spreads to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is around 96 percent; if it spreads, the survival rate drops to 13 percent.

Risk factors include excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation; severe, blistering sunburn early in life; fair skin or light/blue eyes; freckles of moles; and a family history of skin cancer. Physicians recommend that people spend about 15 minutes each month performing a self-exam and have an exam by a professional each year. During these exams, the person of physician should look at moles for asymmetry, irregular edges, uneven coloring, and enlarged size and elevation. People can reduce their risk of developing skin cancer by wearing sunscreen and lip screen of SPF-15 or higher, wearing sunglasses that block UV light, and wearing a hat.

THE ROA OPTION

Much has been said in the media about the emotional and physical toll cancer takes on a person, yet the financial drain can be almost unbearable. Many medical insurance plans will not grant coverage if you have already had cancer or if you are a high risk; others simply do not cover all expenses that arise when you or a loved one are fighting cancer.

As an ROA member, if you have not had cancer in the past five years, you have another option: the ROA Group Cancer Plan

The ROA Cancer Plan--researched and developed specifically for ROA members and their families--is designed to help you with the enormous expenses associated with fighting a cancer disease while preserving your retirement nest egg.

The ROA Cancer Plan is a resource available only to ROA members to relieve you of financial uncertainty, should cancer touch your life.

If you are interested in the ROA-Sponsored Group Cancer Plan, call ROA's benefits helpline at 1-800-247-7988 and request Priority Code 17533-1-1-1. You can also find more information online at www.roa.org.

The ROA Cancer Plan coverage may not be issued to residents in all states. Source for all statistics: Cancer Facts & Figures, 2004. The American Cancer Society. Available through www.cancer.org.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group