Although

the statistics regarding cancer may not seem encouraging,

the future regarding cancer is growing brighter.

The overall survival rate

for those with cancer is on the rise. New treatments and

drugs are being discovered every day that make the

recovery process easier. New tests are being devised that

make early detection more feasible and less costly.

Cancer is the second

leading cause of death in the United States. Since 1990

close to five million have lost their lives to cancer and

close to 13 million new cases have been diagnosed. While

the number is large enough on its own, it does not

include noninvasive cancers such as basal cell and

squamous cell skin cancers. In 2000, more than 1.3

million cases of basal and squamous cell cancers are

projected to be diagnosed.

Cancer begins when a cell

loses its programmed ability to die and divides to create

"daughter cells" without the ability to die.

The cells ultimately form a tumor or a mass. Cancer

spreads when cells from the primary tumor break off and

form tumors elsewhere in the body.

Even though the cancer may

spread to another organ of the body, it still remains the

type of the primary tumor. For example, if someone has

breast cancer that later spreads to the back, lung or

other part of the body, it is still considered to be

breast cancer.

According to scientific

evidence, it is suggested that close to one-third of

cancer deaths are related to dietary factors and another

third to cigarette smoking. The American Cancer Society's

literature states, "All cancers caused by cigarette

smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented

completely."

Prevention and early

detection is a theme that reoccurs in almost every

conversation with survivors and published information.

Treatment is more likely to be a success when cancer is

caught early. Approximately � of all cancers can be

caught early with screening examinations.

John "Mac"

McMenamin, Peachtree City, discovered his prostate cancer

and subsequent skin melanoma cancer during screenings. He

said, "In 1994 while taking my annual flight

physical, the doctor suggested I take a PSA. He had a

hard time talking me into it." Fortunately he

ultimately took the doctor's advice only to discover that

his PSA level was elevated.

The doctor suggested that

he wait for two weeks and have another test. McMenamin

decided not to wait, called a urologist, and had a

sonogram and biopsy. The biopsy came back positive for

cancer. He considered the various treatment options and

quickly decided on surgery.

McMenamin says,

"Another stroke of luck led to the early discovery

of a melanoma cancer on my head." His dermatologist

noted what looked like a brown age spot next to another

spot being treated with liquid nitrogen. The

dermatologist removed it and sent it in to be checked for

cancer. McMenamin says a few days later his doctor called

and started the conversation with the standard, "How

are you doing?" to which Mac responded, "I

don't know, why don't you tell me how I'm doing."

Shortly thereafter,

McMenamin underwent the newer MOHS treatment that removes

cancerous skin layers one at a time. Each layer is

checked under the microscope until it is clear of

cancerous signs. The next layer is then removed and sent

to a pathologist to ensure it is cancer free.

Currently, the combined

cancer survival rate for breast, colon, rectum, cervix,

prostrate, testis, oral cavity and skin (in the early

stages) is roughly 81 percent. According to the ACS,

"If all Americans participated in regular cancer

screenings, this rate could increase to more than 95

percent."

Most cancers affect

middle-aged or older individuals and the risk of

occurrences of cancer increases with age. In the United

States, men have a one in two lifetime risk of developing

cancer. Women have a one in three risk of developing

cancer.

While there are many

factors that can increase an individual's susceptibility

to cancer, anyone can get it. Smokers are 10 times more

likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Women

whose mothers, sisters or daughters have had breast

cancer are twice as likely to develop breast cancer as

those who do not have a "first-degree" family

history of the disease.

The ACS places strong

emphasis on prevention. Dietary factors that affect the

risk of cancer include types of foods, food preparation

methods, portion sizes, food variety and overall caloric

balance. Per the ACS, "Cancer risk can be reduced by

including a high portion of plant foods, limiting meat,

dairy and other high-fat foods and a balance of caloric

intake and physical activity."

Some evidence suggests that

close to one-third of the over 500,000 deaths associated

with cancer in 1999 were related to poor nutrition or

insufficient physical activity.

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