Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in older adults; it will strike 1 in 3 adults and accounts for about 22% of all deaths in people 65 and older.

Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth that spreads and destroys other body tissues. Cancer cells multiply at an abnormal rate and no longer function normally. Except for leukemia, these abnormal cells form a mass, or tumor. As the cancer cells multiply they migrate to other parts of the body and invade and destroy healthy tissues and organ.

Among men, the most common cancer is prostate cancer, followed by lung and then colorectal cancer. Among women, the most common cancer is breast cancer, followed by lung and then colorectal cancer. About 58% of all cancers occur among the elderly who have disproportionately higher rates of lung, colon, rectum, urinary bladder, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Older adults are also more likely to die of cancer than younger people, they account for two-thirds of all cancer deaths. Overall, the mortality rate is highest for lung cancer, then colorectal cancer. However, almost half of all cancer deaths could be prevented with early detection and treatment. Cancer costs an estimated $35.2 billion each year in direct and indirect expenditures.

The causes of cancer aren't clear. Click on the link What Causes Cancer to learn what we know about the causes of cancer. However carcinogenic factors that result in the development of oncogenes (mutant genes in cancer cells) include viruses, chemicals, lifestyle, genetics, and the environment.

The odds of having cancer increase with age. In the table, 1:2 means that your chances are one in two that you will get that type of cancer.

Treatment

The best cure for cancer is to detect it as soon as possible. Early detection focuses on the use of screening to identify cancer in the early stages when treatments are usually more effective, cost less, and have fewer complications. Screening tests for certain cancers should be done routinely; these tests are discussed under the specific type of cancer. However, it is also important to be aware of the general warning signs of cancer although different symptoms are associated with different types of cancer. The general warning signs of cancer are listed below.

Warning Signs of Cancer

• Change in bowel and bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• Obvious change in a wart or mole
• Nagging cough or hoarseness

You may want to learn more about living with cancer by reading the Helpbook: What to Do if Cancer Strikes which is on the Cancer Research Institute website. Another reputable resource for cancer information is CancerNet which is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Finally, Oncolink is a website with lots of information on cancer in general, managing symptoms, and specific information adult cancers.