“Cancer Control” is an approach to managing cancer in the best way possible, in each stage of the disease. It is a system which ensures that cancer risk is controlled as much as possible, that cancers are screened for as early as possible, and that patients receive effective care and support which meets their needs and situations.
Advances in medicine are making cancer treatment more effective, and making it possible to treat forms of cancer that were untreatable a short time ago. Despite the advances in treatment, the best way to beat cancer is to never get it. According to the World Health Organization, up to a third of cancer cases are preventable. To reduce the risk of cancer, the WHO advises that people should:
While it is not always possible to prevent cancer, early detection is one of the most important factors in beating cancer. Some types of cancer, such as breast, skin and testicular cancers, can and should be regularly self-examined. If you detect anything to give you concern, make an appointment to talk to your physician or medical professional for further screening.
Many other types of cancer form within the body and are not easy to detect. There are number of tests that help doctors detect cancer from blood samples or imaging devices; talk to your physician about what screening methods are appropriate, given your age and medical history.
At UPMC Cancer Centers, detection is handled by the Early Detection and Prevention Services. Additionally, if you or your physician want a second opinion or more information from our family of oncologists, please use our doctor search tool to find a UPMC-affiliated oncologist in your area — http://www.upmccancercenters.com/search/findadoc.cfm