Newly
Diagnosed
A new
diagnosis of cancer can be a shock,
making you feel out of control and
overwhelmed. Getting informed can
help alleviate these feelings.
Remember, very few cancers require
emergency treatment; you have time
to learn about your diagnosis and
treatment options, ask questions,
and get a second opinion. This
section is designed to help you
address your initial questions
before you move forward with your
treatment.
What is
Cancer?
Cancer is not
one disease, but many diseases that
occur in different areas of the
body. Each type of cancer is
characterized by the uncontrolled
growth of cells. Under normal
conditions, cell reproduction is
carefully controlled by the body.
However, these controls can
malfunction, resulting in abnormal
cell growth and the development of a
lump, mass, or tumor. Some cancers
involving the blood and
blood-forming organs do not form
tumors but circulate through other
tissues where they grow.
A
tumor may be benign (non-cancerous)
or malignant (cancerous). Cells from
cancerous tumors can spread
throughout the body. This process,
called metastasis, occurs when
cancer cells break away from the
original tumor and travel in the
circulatory or lymphatic systems
until they are lodged in a small
capillary network in another area of
the body. Common locations of
metastasis are the bones, lungs,
liver, and central nervous system.
The type of cancer refers to the
organ or area of the body where the
cancer first occurred. Cancer that
has metastasized to other areas of
the body is named for the part of
the body where it originated. For
example, if breast cancer has spread
to the bones, it is called
"metastatic breast cancer" not bone
cancer.
How did
I get cancer?
Although
every patient and family member
wants to know the answer to this
question, the reason people develop
cancer is not well understood. There
are some known carcinogens
(materials that can cause cancer),
but many are still undiscovered. We
do not know why some people who are
exposed to carcinogens get cancer
and others do not. The length and
amount of exposure are believed to
affect the chances of developing a
disease. For example, as exposure to
cigarette smoking increases, the
chance of developing lung cancer
also increases. Genetics also plays
an important role in whether an
individual develops cancer. For
example, certain types of breast
cancer have a genetic component.
What's
next?
Following your
diagnosis of cancer, your reaction
may be one of shock and disbelief.
If you have been told that
chemotherapy or radiation therapy
are an important part of your
treatment, many unpleasant images
may come to mind. But as you move
beyond that initial shock to begin
the journey of surviving your
cancer, you have many good reasons
to be optimistic. Medicine has
made-and continues to make-great
strides in treating cancer and in
making cancer treatment more
tolerable, both physically and
emotionally. No one would call
cancer a normal experience, but by
proactively managing aspects of your
treatment, you can maintain a sense
of normalcy in your life. Fighting
cancer is not a challenge you face
alone. It's a team effort that
involves family, friends, and your
healthcare team. Don't overlook the
strength that can come from having
your support network by your side.
Learn about your cancer and talk to
others that have gone experienced
your situation;
www.CancerConnect.com is a network
of cancer patients and their
caregivers that provides support,
hope, inspiration, and information.
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