Types Of Cancer: The 5 Most Common Types Of Cancer

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Types Of Cancer
Photo Credit: Office on Women's Health

There are more than 200 types of cancer, but the five most common types account for over half of all cases diagnosed every year. Cancer can be difficult to treat because it can develop in different ways in different people, and even the same type of cancer can behave differently in different patients. While one person’s cancer may spread through their body quickly, another person’s may remain contained in just one area and never spread at all. This guide will break down the five most common types of cancer.

Also Read: 5 Benefits For Blood Donation That You May Not Know About

Different Types Of Cancer

1. Breast Cancer – Types Of Cancer

Types of Cancer - Breast Cancer
Photo Credit: Endocrine Society

Almost everyone who develops breast cancer is at least 50 years old or older. The risk of developing breast cancer is higher among African-American women and even higher among black women with a family history of breast cancer, including either one or both parents or sisters.

2. Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer - Types Of Cancer
Photo Credit: Harvard Health

Symptoms of prostate cancer can include frequent urination, increased urge to urinate, difficulty in starting and stopping urination, blood in urine or semen, pain or burning during urination, and erectile dysfunction. Some men will experience no symptoms of prostate cancer whatsoever. Other more common symptoms are fatigue, weight loss, back pain, chills, and fever. Men over the age of 50 should discuss these symptoms with their doctor so that they can prevent prostate cancer.

3. Skin Cancer – Types Of Cancer

Types of Cancer - Skin Cancer
Photo Credit: Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics

If you’re concerned about developing skin cancer, you should know that it’s not a type of cancer on its own. Instead, this refers to a range of types of skin diseases that spreads quickly. Many skin cancers come from squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common type) and basal cell carcinoma (the most common type). These lesions are also sometimes referred to as skin cancer as they both occur in the epidermis.

4. Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer - Types Of Cancer
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and among men, it’s the second most common form of cancer after prostate cancer. This form of cancer affects more men than women; more than 80% of lung cancers happens in males. While all lung cancers are thought to be caused by smoking, not all smokers develop this type of tumor.

5. Blood Cancer – Types Of Cancer

Blood Cancer - Types Of Cancer
Photo Credit: Medanta

There are several types of blood cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. Lymphoma is cancer that starts in the cells called lymphocytes, which help the body fight infection. Hematologic cancers include those of the bone marrow and can affect any type of cell in the body, such as red blood cells. Myeloma is cancerous plasma cells that are too high in number or produced incorrectly by the bone marrow.

If you find out that you have any of these types of cancer, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible. If they are not caught early enough, they can be fatal and are no fun to go through. Fortunately, with the right diagnosis and treatments, these cancers are beatable.