By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

Although the statistics regarding cancer may not seem encouraging, the future regarding cancer is growing brighter.

The overall survival rate for those with cancer is on the rise. New treatments and drugs are being discovered every day that make the recovery process easier. New tests are being devised that make early detection more feasible and less costly.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Since 1990 close to five million have lost their lives to cancer and close to 13 million new cases have been diagnosed. While the number is large enough on its own, it does not include noninvasive cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. In 2000, more than 1.3 million cases of basal and squamous cell cancers are projected to be diagnosed.

Cancer begins when a cell loses its programmed ability to die and divides to create “daughter cells” without the ability to die. The cells ultimately form a tumor or a mass. Cancer spreads when cells from the primary tumor break off and form tumors elsewhere in the body.

Even though the cancer may spread to another organ of the body, it still remains the type of the primary tumor. For example, if someone has breast cancer that later spreads to the back, lung or other part of the body, it is still considered to be breast cancer.

According to scientific evidence, it is suggested that close to one-third of cancer deaths are related to dietary factors and another third to cigarette smoking. The American Cancer Society's literature states, “All cancers caused by cigarette smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented completely.”

Prevention and early detection is a theme that reoccurs in almost every conversation with survivors and published information. Treatment is more likely to be a success when cancer is caught early. Approximately ½ of all cancers can be caught early with screening examinations.

John “Mac” McMenamin, Peachtree City, discovered his prostate cancer and subsequent skin melanoma cancer during screenings. He said, “In 1994 while taking my annual flight physical, the doctor suggested I take a PSA. He had a hard time talking me into it.” Fortunately he ultimately took the doctor's advice only to discover that his PSA level was elevated.

The doctor suggested that he wait for two weeks and have another test. McMenamin decided not to wait, called a urologist, and had a sonogram and biopsy. The biopsy came back positive for cancer. He considered the various treatment options and quickly decided on surgery.

McMenamin says, “Another stroke of luck led to the early discovery of a melanoma cancer on my head.” His dermatologist noted what looked like a brown age spot next to another spot being treated with liquid nitrogen. The dermatologist removed it and sent it in to be checked for cancer. McMenamin says a few days later his doctor called and started the conversation with the standard, “How are you doing?” to which Mac responded, “I don't know, why don't you tell me how I'm doing.”

Shortly thereafter, McMenamin underwent the newer MOHS treatment that removes cancerous skin layers one at a time. Each layer is checked under the microscope until it is clear of cancerous signs. The next layer is then removed and sent to a pathologist to ensure it is cancer free.

Currently, the combined cancer survival rate for breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostrate, testis, oral cavity and skin (in the early stages) is roughly 81 percent. According to the ACS, “If all Americans participated in regular cancer screenings, this rate could increase to more than 95 percent.”

Most cancers affect middle-aged or older individuals and the risk of occurrences of cancer increases with age. In the United States, men have a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer. Women have a one in three risk of developing cancer.

While there are many factors that can increase an individual's susceptibility to cancer, anyone can get it. Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Women whose mothers, sisters or daughters have had breast cancer are twice as likely to develop breast cancer as those who do not have a “first-degree” family history of the disease.

The ACS places strong emphasis on prevention. Dietary factors that affect the risk of cancer include types of foods, food preparation methods, portion sizes, food variety and overall caloric balance. Per the ACS, “Cancer risk can be reduced by including a high portion of plant foods, limiting meat, dairy and other high-fat foods and a balance of caloric intake and physical activity.”

Some evidence suggests that close to one-third of the over 500,000 deaths associated with cancer in 1999 were related to poor nutrition or insufficient physical activity.

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