February is National Cancer Prevention Month

National Cancer Prevention Month was created to educate people about the ways they can reduce their risk or prevent cancer from ever developing. Still, even when a person does everything in their power to prevent cancer, there is still a possibility that cancer will develop, making it necessary to get regular screenings. Taking these steps allows doctors to catch cancer early on and begin treatment, increasing a patient’s chances of eliminating the cancer all together. Annual prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men over age 50 and women over age 40 are recommended to get a mammogram every year to check for breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, women over 21 should receive annual pap smears and pelvic examinations to allow for treatment to begin early if cervical cancer or some other problem is detected. When cancer is detected, there are several treatment options available, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. All of these options carry some type of risk, and for more advanced cancer, more rigorous treatment may be necessary, increasing those risks.

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, after heart disease, with more than one million newly diagnosed cases each year. Most cancers are in the form of a tumor, which can be detected by regular screenings. However, many times when doctors find a tumor, that tumor is benign, meaning that it is non-cancerous and much less dangerous to the patient. Although benign tumors can cause health problems, depending on their location and size, malignant tumors are much more serious because they are cancerous and they spread rapidly if left untreated. There are four categories of cancer, which each develop in different areas of the body. Leukemias target the blood and the organs in the body which create blood. Lymphomas develop in organs such as the spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, adenoids and tonsils, and can spread to other organs if untreated. Sarcomas affect the bone, muscle, cartilage and fat, which all connect, support, or surround organs and structures. Carcinomas, which is the most common form of cancer, develop in the epithelial cells, which cover the external surface of the body, form the lining of glandular tissues and line the internal cavities.

It is important to take every preventative measure to reduce the risk of developing cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, staying physically active, avoiding over-exposure to the sun, keeping away from radiation, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke. Still, if cancer does develop, it is crucial that it is detected and treated as early as possible for the best outcome. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is NO FEE to you unless we recover money. Please call us today, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our firm serves clients in the New York area, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net