Top 10 Foods and Drinks for Cancer Prevention

               Cancer is such a staggering epidemic–the sheer number of people affected by the disease is as heartbreaking as it is mystifying. As we are slowly learning more about the causes, we are beginning to learn more about preventive measures.
In terms of the relationship between diet and cancer, this leads us to lists of what not to eat (french fries, sigh), as well as the other side of the coin: What we should eat (artichokes and red wine, yay!).

In the book Cancer: 101 Solutions to a Preventable Epidemic (New Society Publishers, 2007) the authors Liz Armstrong, Guy Dauncey and Anne Wordsworth consider the importance of eating specific foods and drinks for cancer protection. Here’s what they suggest:

1. Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale. These score high for containing many anti-cancer substances, such as isothiocyanates.

2. Globe artichoke for very high levels of salvestrols.

3. Dark greens, such as spinach and romaine lettuce, for their fiber, folate and a wide range of cancer-fighting carotenoids. Other dark colored veggies, too, such as beets and red cabbage.

4. Grapes and red wine, especially for the resveratrol.

5. Legumes: beans, peas and lentils, for the saponins, protease inhibitors and more.

6. Berries, particularly blueberries, for the ellagic acid and anthocyanosides


7. Flaxseed, especially if you grind it yourself and consume when fresh, for the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, lignans and other “good fats.”

8. Garlic, onions, scallions, leeks and chives, for many anti-cancer substances including allicin.

9. Green tea, for its anti-cancer catechins, a potent antioxidant.

10. Tomatoes, for the famous flavenoid lycopene.





Read more:
• See the list of Top 10 Foods that Increase Cancer Risk.


source from : www.care2.com/greenliving/top-10-foods-and-drinks-for-cancer-prevention.html

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Top 10 Foods That Increase Cancer Risk

                 Nearly 1.5 million new cases of cancer were expected to be diagnosed last year–while 559,650 people were expected to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. That’s more than 1,500 people a day–such a startling statistic. In the book Cancer: 101 Solutions to a Preventable Epidemic (New Society Publishers, 2007) the authors write that the Number 4 solution is to “Eat a Healthy Diet.” Listed within are the 10 Foods and Drinks to Limit or Eliminate:

1. All charred food, which create heterocyclic aromatic amines, known carcinogens. Even dark toast is suspect.

2. Well-done red meat. Medium or rare is better, little or no red meat is best.

3. Sugar, both white and brown–which is simply white sugar with molasses added.

4. Heavily salted, smoked and pickled foods, which lead to higher rates of stomach cancer.

5. Sodas/soft drinks, which pose health risks, both for what they contain–sugar and various additives–and for what they replace in the diet–beverages and foods that provide vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

6. French fries, chips and snack foods that contain trans fats.

7. Food and drink additives such as aspartame.

8. Excess alcohol.

9. Baked goods, for the acrylamide.

10. Farmed fish, which contains higher levels of toxins such as PCBs.

Now that you know what not to eat, see the Top 10 Foods and Drinks for Cancer Prevention.

Source from : http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-10-foods-that-increase-cancer-risk.html

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Top 10 Colon Cancer Prevention Tips

                         Colon cancer  is one of the most common, and yet preventable, cancers. To help protect yourself and your loved ones from the disease, follow these ten colon cancer prevention tips.
 

1. Go to a doctor if you have any colon cancer symptoms.

Usually, colon cancer doesn't have any symptoms. However, in the later stages, symptoms may include thin stools, cramping, unexplained weight loss, and bloody stools.

2. If you're 50 or older, schedule a colon cancer screening.

Then actually go to the appointment. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are 50 or older and the average age of diagnosis is 64. Research indicates that by age 50, one in four people has polyps (colon cancer precursors). Getting screened is an excellent colon cancer prevention method.

3. Eat a balanced diet.

Diets high in fat and cholesterol (especially from animal sources) have been linked to increased colon cancer risk. High-fiber diets, however, have shown a protective effect.

4. Maintain a healthy weight.

All other things equal, obese men seem to be more at risk for colon cancer than obese women. Also, certain body types seem to influence risk more than others. Studies indicate that extra fat in the waist (an apple shape) increases colon cancer risk more than extra fat in the thighs or hips (a pear shape).

5. Maintain an active lifestyle.

Research indicates that exercising can reduce colon cancer risk by as much as 40 percent. Exercise also tends to reduce the incidence of other risk factors for colon cancer, like obesity and diabetes.

6. Consider genetic counseling.

People who carry genetic mutations linked to hereditary colon cancer are the most likely to develop the disease. If someone in your family has FAP or HNPCC, or if you're of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you should seriously consider adding genetic counseling to your colon cancer prevention plan.

7. Learn your family medical history.

Did you know your family medical history can impact your chances of developing colon cancer? When discussing colon cancer prevention with your doctor, remember to mention if family members have had polyps or colon cancer. Other cancers (such as stomach, liver, and bone) may also be relevant.

8. Talk to a doctor about your personal medical history.

As you may have guessed, discussing your own medical history is extremely important when it comes to colon cancer prevention. Sometimes we feel like doctors aren't interested in what we have to say, so we try to answer their questions as quickly and succinctly as possible. But it's alright - and advisable - to talk about your health history. Of particular concern are polyps, certain cancers, and chronic inflammation of the bowel - all of which can increase the risk of developing colon cancer.

9. Don't smoke.

Yes, it's a risk factor for colon cancer too. Smoking increases your risk for two main reasons. First, inhaled or swallowed tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon. Second, tobacco use appears to increase polyp size.

10. Reduce radiation exposure.

Is radiation really relevant to colon cancer prevention? The short answer is yes. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, colon cancer has been caused by doses of about 1,000 millisieverts. So, what the heck is a millisievert and how do you keep from racking up 1,000 of them? (Learn more about this colon cancer prevention tip.)

If you'd like to share this article with others, feel free to print the Colon Cancer Prevention pamphlet.
source from : http://coloncancer.about.com/od/cancerprevention/a/Colon_Cancer.htm

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10 Warning Signs of Colon Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

                                       Medical professionals often refer to colorectal cancer, which includes colon cancer that affects the large intestine and rectal cancer that affects the lower most part of the large intestine.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 20 people are at a risk of developing colorectal cancer during their lifetime.

The exact cause of colorectal or bowel cancer is not known. However, it is believed to develop when healthy cells become abnormal and start growing in number and accumulate in the lining of the colon, forming polyps. Left untreated, polyps may become cancerous.

     Several factors increase your risk of developing colon and rectal cancer, including aging (above 50 years), some types of bowel diseases, family history, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, a sedentary lifestyle, Type 2 diabetes and regular intake of processed foods or red meats.

African-Americans are at a greater risk of colon cancer than people of other races.

As it can be difficult to treat colon cancer after it spreads to nearby areas, it is important to know what the early symptoms are. This can help you seek early treatment and give you a better chance in recovery.

Here are the top 10 warning signs of colon cancer you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Constipation

Constipation is an important sign of cancer in the colon. A 2011 study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention highlights the link between constipation and colorectal cancer risk.

An earlier 2004 study published in the European Journal of Cancer supported the hypothesis that constipation or laxative use increases the risk of colon cancer.

A tumor present at the far end of the colon can make it very difficult to eliminate waste products, thereby causing constipation.

If you persistently have fewer bowel movements per week, without any prior problem of constipation, consult your doctor to find out the exact cause.

2. Diarrhea

If you suffer from diarrhea for more than a couple of weeks, it may be an early symptom of colon cancer.

When a tumor partially obstructs the bowel, it can cause alternating constipation and diarrhea due to leakage of liquid stool.

You may also experience frequent gas, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Plus, a tumor may irritate or narrow the lining of the intestine.

It is important to consult your doctor when you have diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, as it can lead to dehydration, drain your body of nutrients and signal other serious problems, such as cancer.

3. Blood in Stools

Most often, blood in the stool is due to piles (hemorrhoids), where the veins in the back passage become fragile and cause a little bleeding during a bowel movement. This type of bleeding is generally red.

However, if you notice dark red or black blood in your stool, it can be a sign of cancer, such as bowel, rectal or colon cancer. It can also be due to a stomach ulcer.

Whether bleeding is due to piles, a stomach ulcer or cancer, it’s important to get it checked by a doctor. Proper diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.

4. Constant Feeling of a Bowel Movement

If you have a constant feeling of urgently needing to have a bowel movement or to strain but no stool is passed, it is not a good sign. This feeling can occur even after having a bowel movement.

Changes in your pattern of bowel movements can be a sign of colon cancer. It can occur when a tumor blocks the bowel and prevents you from completely emptying your bowels.

If you persistently have the sensation of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, discuss the problem with your doctor.

5. Narrow Stools

Thin, narrow stools are also a warning of possible colon cancer. A tumor present in the left side of the colon obstructs the passageway and often leads to narrow stools.

Do not delay discussing any change in your stools with your doctor. Diverticulitis and anal cancer can also cause narrowing of the stools.

6. Tender Abdomen or Abdominal Pain

If your abdomen, especially the lower part, hurts or feels tender when touched, this can be an early indication of tumor growth in the digestive tract, colon or rectum. In fact, abdominal pain is common in people who are later diagnosed with colon cancer.

A tumor can cause a block in the colon, restricting blood flow. This leads to abdominal pain that can be severe. This pain also can indicate that the cancer has begun to spread to other organs.

If abdominal pain or tenderness persists for more than 2 to 3 days, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis.

7. Unexplained Anemia

Anemia refers to a low red blood cell count in the body. The hemoglobin in red blood cells carries oxygen throughout the body.

Symptoms of anemia, such as pale skin, a fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and cold hands and feet, should not be taken lightly.

Unexplained anemia may be due to colon cancer. Typically, cancer in the right-side of the colon causes iron-deficiency anemia. This happens when tumors start bleeding slowly into the digestive tract, causing blood loss over time.

A 2008 study published in the British Journal of Cancer confirms a strong connection between anemia and cancer, with the risk rising as the hemoglobin level falls. This study also confirms iron deficiency as an independent predictor of cancer.

If you have signs of anemia, consult your doctor immediately to get your hemoglobin level checked.

8. Unexplained Weight Loss

If you are above the age of 50 and rapidly losing weight without any known reason, it is a cause for concern. Sudden, unexplained weight loss can indicate a serious health problem, including colon or rectal cancer.

A 2006 study published in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England found that unexplained weight loss happens mostly during advanced stages of colorectal cancers.

The growth of a tumor can lead to loss of appetite, as cancer can affect your metabolism, thus causing weight loss.

If you are rapidly losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine, discuss this with your doctor.

9. Weakness and Fatigue

Another early symptom of colon cancer is fatigue, weakness and general malaise. Fatigue and tiredness after doing a laborious task is to be expected, but if you feel tired and weak most of the time, despite resting, do not take it lightly.

Large polyps or tumors in the colon can lead to iron-deficiency anemia that causes lower oxygen levels in the blood. This contributes to fatigue.

Fatigue and weakness can also be related to a number of chronic illnesses and medical disorders, sovisit your doctor to find outthe exact cause.

10. Gas and Bloating

Most people suffer from gas and bloating occasionally, but if the problem occurs along with some of the other symptoms mentioned here, it may be an indication of a tumor growing in the colon.

A tumor causes obstruction in the colon. Depending on the severity of the blockage, gas, solid and liquid may be prevented from passing out of the body. This in turn causes progressive bloating as well as gas.

If you have a lot of discomfort due to gas and bloating, see a doctor to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Tips to reduce your risk of colon cancer:

1.     Include a variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
2. Avoid drinking alcohol, or at least drink in moderation.
3. Stop smoking and use of other tobacco products.
4.  Exercise for at least 30 to 40 minutes, 5 times a week.
5. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight gradually.
6.  Opt for regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer.

 
source from : http://supertastyrecipes.com/2015/10/22/10-warning-signs-of-colon-cancer-you-shouldnt-ignore-2/

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Here Is How This 70-Year-Old Man Naturally Cured His Late Stage Colon Cancer

Colon cancer may be more prevalent in the population than you realise.

Did you know that it’s the third most common cancer for both men and women and the second most likely cancer to cause death in the USA? Half of the patients that are diagnosed with colon cancer officially die from cancer, and the other 30% are unaccounted for.

In 2011, the death toll for colon cancer reached 70%. Some of the methods for curing patients with colon cancer include surgery, which usually involves the removal of the colon and leaves patients wearing an external colostomy bag for the rest of their lives. Others may be treated with chemotherapy, which can be hit and miss in its outcome and cause patients greater discomfort and symptoms than before the treatment.

However, while these mainstream medicine treatments are more wildly accepted as helping and can work for some patients, other natural cancer clinic and practitioners have been discovering natural remedies and therapies for cancer. And Chris Wark was one of them. His website “Chris Beat Cancer” explains how he managed to beat cancer using only natural treatments and remedies.

He rejected traditional chemotherapy after feeling the treatment was only putting more poison into his body and couldn’t accept that this would cure his condition. After speaking to a naturopathic doctor, Chris began a curative natural diet and beat his cancer.



Another case is John Tanzi, who a few days before his 70th birthday was suffering from a much later stage of colon cancer, stage IV in fact.
He had been given just two to six months to live if he chose not to undertake the chemotherapy he was being offered. He decided not to undergo the traditional treatment after having seen other sufferers see out their last days in pain while on chemotherapy, reducing their quality of life significantly. He instead decided to research other options, how could he live out his final months feeling better rather than much worse?

And it worked. After consulting a natural doctor, he was instructed to change his diet to exclude all meats, refined sugar and dairy. This is known as the “Cancer Diet”. Next, after he began to feel better, he found a capsuled gel form of the original four-herb Essiac tea (please be aware that not all of these gels sold online are legitimate, ensure you check reviews and reports before purchasing). He combined the tea gel capsules with beta-1,3-glucan gel caps (take one for every 50 pounds of weight) and took them daily as instructed.

Beta glucans have been reported to work as an immuno-adjuvant therapy for cancer, mostly in Japan, and can naturally be found in shiitake mushrooms in the form of lentinan. Lentinan is an anti-cancer superfood that is believed to reduce tumor activity and lessen the symptoms of cancer.

This is just one example of a natural remedy and treatment program that worked for one cancer patient. However, John recommends that everyone should choose their own holistic and natural remedies according to their experience and health. After recovering from colon cancer John set up a Facebook page called “Holistic Cancer and Health Chat Room”, where members and guests can ask John questions and other cancer patients questions about natural remedies they have tried. The page also directs patients to reliable websites that sell natural remedies.

Source from : http://www.lifeadvancer.com/old-man-naturally-cured-colon-cancer

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10 Essential Facts About Breast Cancer

Finding breast cancer in its early stages has many benefits.    

Javier Larrea/Getty Images

 

Chances are you have a friend or family member who’s faced breast cancer. After all, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point during their lives, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Sometimes a disease doesn’t seem so scary when you know the basic facts, so we talked with a few breast specialists who have in-depth knowledge about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Read on to find out what you should know.

1. Experts differ on when to start getting regular mammograms.

While the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women ages 50 to 74 get mammograms every two years, the ACS suggests that women begin getting annual mammograms at age 45. And some experts believe 40 is the right age to start getting mammograms.

“Breast cancer is an age-related disease, so if you look at women under 50, they get far fewer cancers than women over 50; but if you look at women in their forties compared to women in their fifties, there’s not that much of a difference,” says Monica Morrow, MD, chief of breast service in the surgery department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

“We think the best thing for women’s overall health is to start at 40, because the best way to pick up small cancers is to have annual mammograms so you can see subtle changes in breasts over time,” Dr. Morrow says.

Finding cancer when the tumor is small has many benefits. “If it’s smaller, you can have less surgery — say, a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy; it’s less likely to have spread to the lymph nodes; and you're therefore less likely to have those taken out with surgery," she says. "You're also possibly less likely to have chemotherapy.”

Talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms and how often you should get them.

2. Breast self-exams may not save your life.

There’s no evidence that giving yourself a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer, or that BSEs help in finding cancer earlier, according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Yet many physicians still recommend doing them.

“They allow you to get comfortable with what your tissue feels like, so that if there’s something new, you’ll notice it,” says Allyson F. Jacobson, MD, medical director of the breast program at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

“You have more access to your breasts than anyone else. If you find something like a lump in your breast, sure, it can make you anxious," says Dr. Jacobson. "But if you're examining your breasts at regular intervals, you can potentially find something before the next time you see a doctor." She recommends doing a BSE the week after your period (if you still have menstrual periods), and no more than once a month.

Morrow adds that breasts are lumpy by nature, and for women who have especially lumpy breasts, self-exams may not be effective. “Every time they do an exam, they find a lump, and those women should not drive themselves crazy trying to do self-exams — especially if they’re in the age range to receive mammograms,” she notes.

3. Your breast size doesn’t matter.

Jacobson says the size of your breasts has no bearing on your risk for developing breast cancer. The same is true for detecting cancer with a mammogram.

“As long as the technologist can get the tissue within the plates to compress it and get the image done — which they can almost always do — there shouldn’t be a problem, " she says. "Even men can have mammograms, and there is very little breast tissue in the typical male.”

Whether or not you or a physician can feel a cancer depends on how close to the surface the cancer is, how different the texture of the cancer is from your breast tissue, and where the cancer is in the breast, says Morrow. “It’s not purely a matter of breast size.”

4. Breast cancer usually shows no signs or symptoms.

The point of mammograms is to detect cancer before symptoms occur, but sometimes cancer is missed on a mammogram.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a painless lump or mass. But according to the ACS, other symptoms can include swelling; skin irritation; pain in the nipple or breast; an inward turning nipple; redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; and nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk.

“Awareness of your breasts is important. If you find something that’s new or different, whether you discover it in the shower or looking in the mirror or another way, bring it to your doctor’s attention,” says Morrow.

5. Most women who get breast cancer don’t have a family history.

More than 85 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease, reports the ACS.

“While family history does increase your risk, not having breast cancer in your family does not by any means get you off the hook,” says Jacobson. Even if you have no family history, your risk of getting breast cancer over your lifetime is 12 percent.

“This is very high for a cancer. I see many women who find a lump and don’t think they need to worry, because no one in their family has had breast cancer,” says Jacobson.

RELATED: What Is the Best Diet for Cancer Prevention?

6. High risk factors are relative.

When the term "high risk" is used scientifically, Morrow says it means higher risk than someone without any risk factors. “Factors increase the risk of getting breast cancer, but there is no standard definition of what truly constitutes high risk.”

Still, in general Morrow says the biggest risk factors for getting breast cancer are being female and getting older. Some other risk factors, according to the National Cancer Institute, include:

    Being obese
    Having a close relative with breast cancer (specifically your mother, sisters, or daughters)
    Carrying the gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2
    Getting your first menstrual period before age 12
    Giving birth for the first time after age 30
    Never being pregnant
    Starting menopause at an older age
    Taking hormone therapy
    Drinking alcohol

Not all of these risk factors are equal; they range from questionable to truly high-risk.

7. Genetic testing is appropriate for some women, but not all. 

If you know that a close relative, such as your mother or sister, carries a breast cancer gene mutation (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2), talk with your doctor about genetic testing. If you don’t know whether a family member who had breast cancer was tested for a gene mutation, your doctor can determine if you’d be a good candidate for genetic testing.

“[The number of] women who have this increase in risk is relatively small,” says Morrow. Some other factors that may be markers of a higher risk, and that may merit getting a genetic evaluation, include:

    Having numerous relatives who have had breast cancer
    Having relatives who have had breast cancer at a younger age, before menopause
    Having relatives who have had cancer in both breasts
    Having male relatives who have had breast cancer
    Having relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer

Check with your insurance company about coverage for genetic testing, but note that the Affordable Care Act considers genetic counseling and testing for people at high risk a covered preventive service.

8. Breast cancer treatment is truly individual. 

Even though it’s beneficial to find your breast cancer in an earlier stage before it has spread, doing so doesn’t always mean that your treatment will be less aggressive.

“Sometimes we end up doing mastectomies instead of lumpectomies for stage 0 breast cancer, because the biology of cancer the patient has is more likely to be aggressive and shorten their survival,” says Morrow, adding that the same thing goes for chemotherapy.

“Just because a tumor is small versus large doesn’t mean it’s not serious. The biology of the tumor, no matter its size, is what matters,” she says.

By testing tumors, Morrow says it’s possible to determine how the cancer will behave. “Based on those characteristics, even if it’s a small stage I cancer, the potential of what it can do is what drives the treatment,” she says.

9. Mastectomy is not always the best treatment.

While a mastectomy, which is the removal of one or both breasts, is performed to get rid of cancer from the breasts or to prevent cancer from developing in women who are at high risk, Morrow says there is a myth surrounding the surgery.

“It’s often thought that if you have breast cancer in one breast, the safest thing to do is to have both of your breasts removed. For the average woman with breast cancer — meaning those who don’t have a genetic mutation — removing your other breast does nothing to prolong your life,” she says.

Morrow adds that breast cancer does not spread from breast to breast. “The risk of getting a second breast cancer in your other breast has been going down over time, because the drugs used to treat the first breast cancer reduce the risk of making a new cancer. But a lot of people say, ‘I want to see my children grow up. I want to be safe. I hear celebrities say it’s good to remove both.’ It’s just simply not true,” she says.

10. There are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

There is no proven way to prevent breast cancer, yet Jacobson says living a healthy lifestyle is your best defense.

“You can’t beat your DNA or your family history, so whatever you’re predisposed to, you are predisposed to. But there are things you can potentially control and maximize to your benefit,” she says.

Following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants and cancer-fighting nutrients, as well as exercising, minimizing alcohol (more than one drink a day on average increases a woman’s risk), and maintaining a healthy weight can all be beneficial, she notes.

“There’s no magic bullet, or pill, or one specific thing, but these are some factors you can control,” she says.





Source from : http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/10-essential-facts-about-breast-cancer/

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What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Though relatively rare, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal, out-of-control growth of cells.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when this happens in the pancreas, a glad of the digestive and endocrine systems.

The pancreas helps the body digest food by secreting pancreatic juices containing digestive enzymes.

It also regulates blood glucose levels by secreting various hormones, notably insulin.

Pancreatic cancer is often life-threatening, and ranks as the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Pancreatic Cancer Prevalence

     Compared with other cancers, pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, representing about 3 percent of all new cancer cases in the United States each year, according to the NCI.

The agency estimates that the country will see 48,960 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2015, along with 40,560 deaths related to pancreatic cancer — representing almost 7 percent of the year's cancer deaths.

Pancreatic cancer predominately affects the elderly, and it is rare in people younger than 40 years old. The median age of pancreatic cancer diagnosis is 71.

The cancer is also about 30 percent more common in men than in women, and slightly more common in African Americans than in people of other races, according to the NCI.

Causes and Risk Factors

    Like all cancers, pancreatic cancer is caused by changes to the DNA of certain cells, which cause the cells to grow abnormally.

Various factors can make you more prone to getting pancreatic cancer.

Aside from age, race, and gender, risk factors include having any of the following medical conditions:

    Diabetes
    Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
    Cirrhosis, a form of scarring of the liver
    A family history of pancreatic cancer
    Inherited genetic mutations or disorders

However, other risk factors are related to lifestyle choices and can be changed.

For instance, smokers are about twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as people who have never smoked, according to the American Cancer Society.

People who are overweight or obese, or who have experienced heavy exposure to pesticides, dyes, or chemicals at work, are also at increased risk for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Stages

  
      Pancreatic cancer is often categorized as being in one of five stages, which describe how far the cancer has spread and can help guide treatment:

    Stage 0: Also called carcinoma in situ, this stage occurs when there are abnormal cells in the lining of the pancreas that have not spread into deeper tissues of the organ.
    Stage 1: Cancer has formed, but it is still confined to the pancreas. The cancer is considered stage 1A if the tumor is 2 centimeters (cm) or smaller in diameter, and stage 1B if the tumor is larger than 2 cm.
    Stage 2: The tumor has spread beyond the
    Stage 3: The tumor has spread to nearby major blood vessels or nerves, but has not yet spread to distant body areas.
    Stage 4: The tumor has spread to distant tissues and organs, such as the lungs or liver.

Sources; http://www.everydayhealth.com/pancreatic-cancer/
pancreas. In stage 2A, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues and organs, but not to nearby lymph nodes. In stage 2B, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

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Skin cancer

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

Symptops:

 Where skin cancer develops

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day — your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital area.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. When melanoma occurs in people with dark skin tones, it's more likely to occur in areas not normally exposed to the sun, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.

Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:

    A pearly or waxy bump
    A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren't often exposed to the sun.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:

    A firm, red nodule
    A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface

Melanoma signs and symptoms

Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun.

Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.

Melanoma signs include:

    A large brownish spot with darker speckles
    A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
    A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
    Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus

Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers

Other, less common types of skin cancer include:

    Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.

    Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've undergone organ transplants.

    Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
    Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.
    Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to determine a cause.

Source from :
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/basics/definition/con-20031606
 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/basics/symptoms/con-20031606

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