The facts about cancer

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Erma Fee of Mason sits through a chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer Sept. 16, 2009, at Mercy Hospital Fairfield.

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Michael Wethington of Middletown is positioned to receive a radiation treatment in his fight against lung cancer last month at Mercy Hospital Fairfield.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Michael Wethington of Middletown is positioned to receive a radiation treatment in his fight against lung cancer last month at Mercy Hospital Fairfield.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Progress slow in War on Cancer

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Updated 2:03 AM Sunday, October 18, 2009

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Q: Are all growths or tumors cancerous?

A: No. A tumor can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors do not metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body and, with very rare exceptions, are not life-threatening.

Q: Who is at risk of developing cancer?

A: Everyone. Anyone can develop cancer, but risk increases with age. About 77 percent of all cancers are diagnosed at 55 and older.

Q: What percentage of people survive cancer?

A: The five-year survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1996 and 2004 is 66 percent, up from 50 percent in 1975-1977.

Q: Can cancers be found early?

A: Yes. Regular screenings can help detect cancers of the breast; colon; rectum; cervix; prostate; testis; oral cavity and pharynx; and skin at early stages, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Q: How is cancer treated?

A: There are four main ways:

• Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs injected into a vein or taken by mouth.

• Immunotherapy: Also known as biologic therapy, stimulates the cancer patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

• Radiation: High energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells or slow their rate of growth.

• Surgery: Removes the cancerous tumor by cutting it out.

— Source: American Cancer Society

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