More than 200 Types Of Cancer have been discovered, and according to estimates, more than 11 million people in the US have been diagnosed with a form of it. It is the second biggest killer after heart disease, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer can still kill even after being detected early and attacked with the latest treatment. According to American Cancer Society, over 1.6 million cases of this deadly disease will be diagnosed by the end of 2017. To stay ahead of the curve, it's important to know about the most common types of cancer.

Lung cancer

Lung Cancer is the second leading diagnosed cancer among men and women in the US but kills more than the other killer cancer types combined. Eighty percent of deaths related to lung cancer are due to smoking. It's hard to detect lung cancer since symptoms show after the disease has advanced. A persistent cough, voice change, sputum streaked with blood, and worsening shortness of breath are some of the symptoms that show you have the condition. Black men are at the highest risk of being diagnosed and dying from this disease than white men, even if they are less exposed to smoke.

Facts

  • Annual no of deaths: More than 159,000
  • 5-year survival rate: 16.8%
  • Percentage of total cancer deaths: 27.2%
  • Average Age of the first diagnosis: 70

Colorectal cancer

The colon is part of the large intestine that helps to break down and digest food while the rectum is the end of the large intestine, just near the anus.

Colon cancer develops in the tissue of the colon while rectal cancer develops on the rectum, few inches on the edge of the large intestine. National Cancer Institute states that most of the cases start with clumps of small benign cells described as polyps that become cancerous with time. It's advisable to go for screening to find the polyps before the worst happens.

Unfortunately, symptoms like rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, cramping pain, decreased appetite, blood in stool and weight loss don’t show in the early stages. More than 52,000 deaths from this condition will occur this year.

Facts

  • Annual no of deaths: more than 52,000
  • 5-year survival rate: 64.7%
  • Percentage of total cancer deaths: 8.6%
  • Average age of the first diagnosis: 68

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, and there is also a small percentage of men diagnosed with the disease.

It's easy to detect that the other types. The most common symptom is a lump or mass on the breast. Other symptoms are skin irritation, swelling, thickening, scaling, nipple abnormalities, and redness. The disease is said to originate from milk ducts or milk glands.

Facts

  • Annual no of deaths: More around 40,000
  • 5-year survival rate: 89.2%
  • Percentage of all cancer deaths: 6.8%
  • Average age of the first diagnosis: 89.2%

Prostate cancer

It’s the second leading cause of deaths in men, after the most deadly one, lung cancer. The risk of disease is higher in black men by 74% than white men. It affects the prostate gland which is part of men’s productive system found at the base of the bladder close the rectum.

Symptoms are pain during urination, interrupted urine flow, blood in urine, frequent urination.

Facts

  • Annual no of deaths: About 30,000
  • 5-year survival rate:98.9%
  • Percentage of all cancer deaths: 5%
  • Average age of the first diagnosis: 66

Other common forms are pancreatic cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin and kidney cancer. It's advisable to go for screening often. You can also consult your doctor if you experience symptoms as they might be signs. Remember, prevention is better than cure. If you smoke, you should stop.
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