As we move into November, we once again have a month where there are multiple cancers being highlighted: lung, carcinoid, pancreatic, and stomach cancers.
In addition, November is the month we put emphasis on caregivers. Caregivers often get forgotten in the mix, but they play a big part in a cancer patients’ life. They are the ones who are with you when you get your diagnosis, and you world spins out of control. They are waiting in the waiting room while you undergo surgery (or multiple surgeries.) They are holding your hand during chemo, and holding your hair back while you get sick from that chemo. They are driving you to your appointments, and telling you you still look beautiful even when your hair is falling out, and you’re as pale as a ghost. So make sure you give some love to all of the caregivers, and family members of cancer patients and survivors!
Lung cancer is cancer in the lung tissue. It is represented by the white ribbon. The most common symptoms are coughing, coughing up blood, weight loss, and shortness of breath. The biggest cause of lung cancer is long term exposure to tobacco smoke, which accounts for 80-90% of all lung cancers. The other factors can include: genetics, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution (including second-hand smoke.) In the US, there are about 228,000 new cases each year, and about 159,000 people die each year. This type of cancer has a poor prognosis, with only about 15% surviving 5 years past diagnosis.
Carcinoid cancer is a slow growing tumor originating in the neuroendocrine system. It is represented by the zebra striped ribbon. Most carcinoid tumors are found mid-gut, and are most commonly found in the respiratory tract. Most have no symptoms, and are only found incidentally because of either surgery for other reasons, or an imaging test for other reasons. They are rarer than most cancers, with only about 8000 being diagnosed a year in the US. Most people are diagnosed over 60. It is more common in African Americans, and slightly more common in women than men.
Pancreatic cancer is cancer originating in the pancreas. It is represented by the purple ribbon. About 45,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US yearly, and about 38,000 die each year. It has one of the worst survival rates, with about 6% chance of a 5 year survival with all stages combined. Some symptoms include abdominal pain, lower back pain, and jaundice. Pancreatic cancer is more common in men than women, and you are more likely to get it if you are of African descent. Some other risk factors include: family history, age (over 60, typically), smoking, diet, obesity, diabetes, and more. Excessive alcohol consumption is also tied to pancreatic cancer.
Stomach cancer is cancer arising from any part of the stomach. It can also be known as gastric cancer. It is represented by the periwinkle ribbon. Most of the time, there are no symptoms, or the symptoms can be explained by other things. (i.e. indigestion, loss of appetite, bloating, etc.) Most stomach cancer is caused by the helicobacter pylori infection, but smoking can also give you a higher risk of getting this cancer. About 21,000 people in the US will be diagnosed each year with this type of cancer, and about 10,000 people will die. About 2/3 of the people diagnosed are over age 65, and there is a slightly higher incidence in men.
As always, know your bodies!
