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African American couple smiles after the male partner enters remission from prostate cancer.

The 5 most aggressive cancer types and how we can help

 

When it comes to any form of cancer, early detection is key. It allows for more treatment options, and with more options comes more hope. Discuss your family history and other risk factors with your primary care physician, as well as when you should start regular screenings. The top five most aggressive cancers are:

  1. Lung cancer
  2. Colorectal cancer
  3. Breast cancer
  4. Pancreatic cancer
  5. Prostate cancer

What difference does an early detection of cancer have?

The main benefit to finding cancer earlier is the improved five-year survival rate. More treatment options are available for consideration with cancers detected at stage I rather than stage IV. According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, about 57% of people diagnosed with lung cancer at stage I survive the disease for five years or more, compared to 3% of those diagnosed at stage IV. Some common signs and symptoms of any form of cancer include fatigue, weight loss, swelling or lumps in any part of the body, pain, and more. However, many symptoms associated with cancer could also be signs of other conditions. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician if you experience anything unusual.

What is a five-year survival rate? It is the percentage of people with a specific diagnosis who are alive five years after receiving the diagnosis.

What cancer tests or screenings are available for each cancer?

The CDC recommends different ages to begin screenings for various cancers and conditions in both men and women. The following ages are for someone at average risk of these diseases. If you have a family history of any of these cancers, speak with your physician about when you should begin screening.

  1. Lung cancer is the most aggressive form of cancer. Smoking and tobacco use are the major causes of it. Low-dose CT scans, which can detect cancer earlier, have improved survival rates for those with lung cancer, even among heavy smokers.
  2. Most colorectal cancer cases begin as small, benign cells that become cancerous over time. Physicians use screenings, like colonoscopies, for the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends beginning screening at age 45.
  3. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. There are two techniques for early detection of breast cancer that women can use in unison: regular mammogram screenings and monthly breast self-exams. The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. However, women may choose to begin biennial screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years.
  4. There is currently no standard screening for pancreatic cancer. Those with a genetic tendency for pancreatic cancer can undergo routine endoscopic ultrasound or MRI/CT imaging.
  5. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men. There are two tests to check for prostate cancer: prostate specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE).

What role does our team play from the screening process through cancer remission?

Our radiologists and screening specialists want to make you feel comfortable while undergoing any regular screenings. We strive to have our service go beyond providing the standard of care to connect with our patients on a deeper level. We also have the latest technology available to develop the clearest and most precise scans.

The Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is nationally accredited along with the best hospitals in cancer care according to U.S. News & World Report. Our goal is to effectively eliminate the disease while minimizing the side effects by combining compassionate care with precision medicine—treatment tailored entirely to you.

Home to the largest clinical genetics program in the nation, we’re able to interrogate cancer cells down to the very genes that cause them. And our team is continually pioneering less invasive, advanced procedures, so you can recover faster with a lower chance of recurrence.

With a second location of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Woodlands Hospital, we’re able to bring innovative cancer care to the North Houston community. Beyond the Comprehensive Cancer Center, our advancements in oncology extend to our entire St. Luke’s Health network of care.

Reach out to one of our oncologists to learn more, or visit your primary care physician to discuss which screenings are right for you.

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