Awareness

  Bladder Cancer   educate

Bladder cancer begins in the bladder, and although there are various types, it most often develops in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Bladder cancer is more common in older adults, but can occur at any age. It is typically diagnosed at an early stage, which generally makes it more treatable than other forms of cancer. The median age at diagnosis is 73 years old, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 21.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. Bladder cancer has been linked to smoking, parasitic infection, radiation and chemical exposure.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- Blood in urine or dark yellow, red or cola colored urine

- Frequent and/or painful urination

- Urinary tract infection

- Abdominal and back pain

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Surgery (removal of the tumor or part of the tumor; removal
   of the entire bladder, etc.)

- Radiation therapy

- Chemotherapy

- Biological therapy (immunotherapy)

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Breast Cancer   educate

Breast cancer forms in the cells of the breast and can occur in both men and women, but is far more common in women. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women. Breast cancer most often begins in the milk producing ducts, but may also begin in the lobules or cells within the breast. It is estimated that 5 – 10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited gene mutations. The median age at diagnosis is 61 years old, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 122.9 per 100,000 women per year.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the
   surrounding tissue

- Bloody discharge from the nipple

- Change in size or shape of the breast

- Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

- Inverted nipple

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel node, and
   axillary lymph dissection)

- Chemotherapy

- Radiation therapy

- Hormone therapy

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html, in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Colon and Rectal Cancer   educate

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. They are collectively referred to as “colorectal cancers.” Most cases begin as small, benign clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps which, over time, can develop into cancer. The median age at diagnosis is 70 years old, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 47.9 per 100,000 men and women per year. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

- Changes in frequency, consistency or size of bowel
   movements

- Unintended weight loss

- Weakness or fatigue

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Surgery

- Radiation therapy

- Chemotherapy

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Hodgkin’s Lymphoma   educate

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system (which is part of your immune system). The cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally, thereby compromising the body’s immune system and ability to fight infection. In later stages, it may progress beyond the lymphatic system into other organs, including the lungs or liver. The median age at diagnosis is 38 (although it is most common among people ages 15 – 35 and those older than 55), with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 2.8 per 100,000 men and women per year. The exact cause is unknown.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- Persistent fatigue

- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or
   groin

- Coughing, trouble breathing or chest pain

- Fever and chills

- Night sweats

- Weight loss

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Chemotherapy

- Radiation therapy

- Bone marrow or stem cell transplant

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Kidney Cancer   educate

Kidney cancer originates in the kidneys (two bean-shaped organs located behind your abdominal organs). In adults, the most common type is called “renal cell carcinoma,” while children are more likely to develop “Wilm’s tumor.” The median age at diagnosis is 64 years old, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 14.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. It is not clear what causes renal cell carcinoma, but older age, being male, and smoking all increase your risk of developing kidney cancer.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- Weight Loss

- Persistent back pain just below the ribs

- Fatigue

- Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola
   colored

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Surgery (nephrectomy)

- Ablation

- Biological therapy (immunotherapy)

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Leukemia   educate

Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood forming tissues, including the lymphatic system and bone marrow. It typically occurs when your body produces too many abnormal white blood cells, which ultimately “crowd out” the healthy cells. There are many different forms of Leukemia, some of which are more common in children than adults. Consequently, treatment for Leukemia can differ greatly, depending on the form and various other factors. The median age at diagnosis is 66 with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 12.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. Although the exact cause is unknown, many believe Leukemia is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- Swollen but painless lymph nodes

- Fever or chills

- Frequent infections

- Fatigue

- Bleeding and bruising easily

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Chemotherapy

- Radiation therapy

- Biological therapy (immunotherapy)

- Bone marrow or stem cell transplant

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.

  Lung Cancer   educate

Lung cancer begins in the cells of the lungs (two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen as you inhale and release carbon dioxide as you exhale). Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. There are two main types of lung cancer: (1) small cell (which occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers); and (2) non-small cell (which is an umbrella term for several different types that behave similarly). The median age at diagnosis is 71 years old, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 62.5 per 100,000 men and women per year. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers, but it may also occur in people who have never smoked or had prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke.

• Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to:

- A cough that gets worse or does not go away

- Shortness of breath

- Persistent chest pain

- Wheezing

- Frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia

• Treatments include, but are not limited to:

- Surgery

- Radiation therapy

- Chemotherapy

The above information and statistics were originally published at www.mayoclinic.com and www.seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html in April 2011. Greener Pastures invites you to learn more by visiting those sites, as well as www.cancer.gov.