Last Updated on December 9, 2020 by Marie Bautista
Cancer is often a silent killer as many people don’t know they have it until they’re in a late stage. It has been estimated that approximately 40 percent of the American population will be diagnosed with cancer at one point or another in their lifetimes. It’s important for you to be aware of the different cancers so you know how to protect yourself.
Skin cancer is one of the more common types of cancer. Also known as melanoma, it can lead to discolorations of the skin, dark, uneven marks, and even a scaly growth. It can occur on a number of parts of the body including the face, arms, and legs. UV rays from the sun and from tanning beds are the leading cause of skin cancer. As such, the easiest way to protect yourself from skin cancer is by using sunscreen and staying away from tanning beds.
Pleural mesothelioma is one of the rarer types of cancer. It is found within the lining of tissue surrounding the lungs. Symptoms can include such things as cough, pain in the chest, and difficulty breathing. The cancer is due to exposure to asbestos. When you breathe asbestos fibers, they can implant themselves into the tissue around your lungs, leading to a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.
Knowing what you’ve been exposed to can make it easier for a doctor to diagnose you for what’s going on. Some cancers are a result of being exposed to something – such as the sun or asbestos.
There are many other cancers that are hereditary. There’s no real way to protect yourself from getting them. However, you can know if you’re at risk of getting a particular type by learning about medical history within your family. Some of the cancers that are hereditary include bone cancer, breast cancer, and kidney cancer. If you find that a family member has been diagnosed, you may want to make an appointment to get tested, too.
Other cancers may be caused by bad habits. For example, smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of colon and liver cancer. Obesity can lead to esophageal or pancreatic cancer. This means that it’s important for you to take a good look at your lifestyle. If there are unhealthy habits in place, you can work to turn them around as a way to improve your health – and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with cancer.
The best thing that you can do for yourself is to stay healthy. Make healthy choices wherever you go, whether that means using personal protective equipment, wearing sunscreen, or cutting out bad habits. You should also plan on going to the doctor at least once a year. Be open about symptoms that you’re faced with. While not all cancers are curable, many are. You simply need to catch it in time so that doctors can offer you ways to beat it. By using Asbestos.Net to educate yourself on the cancers that are out there, you can work to protect yourself more effectively.