Three out of four families will have at least one family member diagnosed with cancer. Everyone knows someone, young or old, who has been affected by this chronic life threatening disease.

Cancer embodies many different but related diseases. The one thing they all have in common is the uncontrolled growth and spreading of abnormal cells.

In a non-diseased state, cells grow, divide and die off. In a cancerous state, cells continue to grow, divide and can spread to other parts of the body. These cells collect and form tumors that can hinder, constrict and destroy normal tissue.

If cells from the tumor break-off they can travel through the blood stream or lymph system to other areas of the body. There they can settle, form new tumors and continue to grow.

All cancers vary in their rate of growth, the way they spread and how they are treated.  Patients need specific treatment designed for their specific type of cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the four most common cancers diagnosed in the United States are lung, breast, prostate and colo-rectal cancer.

Nationwide in 2005, it was estimated that 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer would occur in men, while 211,240 cases of breast cancer would occur in women. New cases of lung cancer in both men and women peaked at 172,570.

In 2005, the American Cancer Society projected that 23,880 new cases of cancer would be diagnosed in Arizona (excluding basal and squamous cell skin cancers). This figure was categorized in the following ways: 3,760 cases of female breast cancer, 3,900 cases of prostate cancer, 2,860 cases of lung cancer, 2,500 cases of colo-rectal cancer and 1,300 cases of melanoma skin cancer.
Anyone can develop cancer. Since the risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases as individuals age, most cases affect adults beginning in middle age. About 76 percent of  all cancers are diagnosed in persons 55 and older.

Cancer is a treatable disease that many people survive, with the aid of early detection and improved or new treatments. The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1995 and 2000 is 64%, up from 50% in 1974-1976.

* Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2005, American Cancer Society.