Cancer can be a devastating disease that affects more than just the patient. It can hurt the families and loved ones of those suffering from the often-deadly disease. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, there were an estimated 18 million cancer cases around the world in 2018.
Out of the hundreds of cancers in the world, no two are the same. The diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment for each vary, sometimes widely. The best form of treatment is early diagnosis, so it is important to learn about what you can do to prevent and detect these common forms of cancer.
Some common forms of cancer include:
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Bladder cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, there were more than 81,000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in 2020, accounting for 4.5% of all new cancer cases. This disease has a nearly 80% five-year relative survival rate. The most common form of bladder cancer is called transitional cell carcinoma, also called urothelial carcinoma. Smoking can increase your risk factor for this disease.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. The main forms of this cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. In 2021, it accounted for 5.6% of all new cancer cases, with 100,350 cases diagnosed, according to the National Cancer Institute. Melanoma is the most deadly form of melanoma.
Thyroid Cancer
More than 52,000 cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed in 2020. If this cancer is found at an early stage, it can typically be treated successfully. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, thyroid cancer has a five-year relative survival rate of 98.3%. To help diagnose the disease early, you can check for common signs, including swelling and lumps in the neck.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is not a commonly diagnosed form of cancer compared to other types. Only about 3,000 people each year. However, this type of cancer can be quite deadly. According to the Mesothelioma Cancer Network, the disease has a very poor prognosis and an average life expectancy of about 12 to 21 months.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma that means that at some point in your life you were probably exposed to asbestos, a naturally occurring but extremely toxic mineral composed of soft and flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Exposure to this deadly component often occurs at home — especially if your home was built before the 1980s — or on the job.
