The Most Common Cancers

Cancer refers to different malignant diseases characterized by the rapid propagation of anaplastic cells that destroy healthy tissues and disrupt the body's functioning. Some of these diseases are very common while others occur in a one out of one million probability.

According to the American Cancer Society, the most common types of cancer are lung, breast and prostate which infect more or less 200,000 people yearly.

For breast cancer, roughly 99% are female victims. Amongst these cases, about 20% deaths have been recorded. It begins with the growth of tumor in the breast and most of the time affects women aged 50 and above. But this doesn't mean that younger women are not susceptible to this type of cancer. Younger women, nonetheless, have higher recovery rate as compared to older females. Factors that may attribute to acquiring breast cancer are genetics, immoderate alcohol intake and late pregnancy.

As compared to breast, lung cancer has a higher mortality rate of 75%. Lung cancer caused by chain smoking is called small cell lung cancer which is characterized by small cancerous cells mutating quickly in the tissues of the lungs. The more prevalent lung cancer is the non-small cell which can be triggered by more than one factor. Aside from smoking, lung cancer can also be caused by prolonged exposure to chemical elements such as radon and asbestos. Radiation and family history can also contribute to the risk of lung cancer.

Closely following breast and lung cancer is prostate cancer which yields about 30,000 deaths per year. Though there is no concrete explanation why, African Americans are most susceptible to prostate cancer, Caucasians possess moderate risk, while Asians are the least vulnerable to this disease.

Also on the list, with a 50% average death rate, is Colorectal Cancer which infects about 100,000 people yearly. This occurs when malignant cells form in the rectum. Colon and rectal cancers are often considered one as they posses almost the same symptoms which include thinner and bloody stools, bowel changes, abdominal pains and sudden weight loss. Obese people are also at higher risk of acquiring these diseases.

Though not as common as the three aforementioned cancers, pancreatic cancer is still on the list and should be noted for its almost 90% fatality. Pancreatic cancer, also called exocrine cancer, is diagnosed in more than 40,000 people annually. Older people and heavy smokers are at greater risk for pancreatic cancer. People with pancreatitis are also more susceptible to the sickness.

Other frequent occurring cancers are Renal Cancer, Melanoma, Bladder cancer, Leukemia and Thyroid cancer which ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 victims annually but with relatively low mortality percentages. Thyroid cancer poses the least threat with 4% death rate.

Since it is still not possible to pinpoint a specific substance that triggers cancer - causes are different for each case and even the most unlikely person can acquire the ailment - there is still no effective medication that can prevent the disease. However, taking care of your health can already be a good preventive program.