Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women (excluding cancers of the skin), accounting for nearly one of every three cancers diagnosed in American women. While research continues to seek ways to prevent, detect, and treat this disease, it is essential for individuals to stay informed - so a person can make smart decisions about their health.

Breast cancer is a term for several cancers that begin in the breast. The most common form of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma and begins in the lining of the ducts.

With early detection and treatment, the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer will be alive and well more than five years after the diagnosis.

For information about breast cancer, and the treatment of breast cancer, please visit the following web sites:

American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute

Lymphedema Overview
Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build up of lymph fluid, usually in the arm in women who have been treated for breast cancer. Lymphedema is one of the most troubling complications that can develop after breast cancer surgery; between 9 and 25 percent of women develop lymphedema after surgery for breast cancer. Many women find that lymphedema worsens the physical and emotional strain of dealing with breast cancer.

The risk of developing lymphedema depends upon the extent of surgery, the time since surgery, and if radiation therapy was used. Generally, people who undergo more extensive surgery, have many lymph nodes removed, or have radiation therapy to the axilla (arm pit) after surgery are more likely to develop lymphedema. Most women who develop lymphedema do so within four years after their operation.

What is Lymphedema?
Lymph is a clear fluid that contains mostly protein and white blood cells (the blood cells that fight infection). The lymphatic system drains the body's tissues and organs into a series of tubes or ducts. The fluid is filtered through lymph nodes (also called glands) and eventually drains into the bloodstream.

Lymphedema can develop if the lymph vessels are interrupted. This interruption can be caused by:

• Surgery, particularly removal of the lymph glands in the armpit (also called the axilla)
• Radiation treatment to the axilla

Women who have multiple lymph nodes removed (a full axillary node dissection) are more likely to develop lymphedema than those who have only sentinel lymph node biopsy. Women who have both surgery and radiation treatment are at even higher risk.

Lymphedema Symptoms
The initial symptoms of lymphedema may include:

• A heavy sensation or an aching discomfort in the arm
• Swelling of the affected arm or upper chest
• Difficulty moving the arm
• Stiffness, weakness, or numbness

In some cases, these symptoms develop before swelling is noticeable. Let your healthcare provider know as soon as possible if you develop any of these symptoms; recognizing and treating lymphedema in the early stages may prevent or slow its worsening over time.

How is Lymphedema Diagnosed?
Most women will know if they have lymphedema because they have one or more of the symptoms listed above. If you suspect that you have new or worsening lymphedema, consult with your healthcare provider.

Preventing Progression of Lymphedema
Women with lymphedema can do several things to prevent the condition from getting worse over time. Expert groups recommend the following:

• Avoid trauma and injury to the affected arm. Injections and acupuncture should not be given in the affected arm, if at all possible. Blood drawing and intravenous lines are allowed, but caution is needed to minimize pressure and avoid infection.
• Avoid constriction in the affected arm. Tight fitting clothing, prolonged blood pressure monitoring, or any activity that could interfere with lymph flow should be avoided.
• Try to prevent infection. Practice careful skin and nail hygiene. Use skin moisturizers to prevent dry, cracked skin. Use an antibiotic cream or ointment on small skin cuts, such as paper cuts. Use protective gloves for household work and gardening. Use an electric razor rather than a razor blade to remove hair in the armpit.
• Avoid heavy exercise and lifting heavy objects with the affected arm immediately after surgery. Moderate to heavy exercise of the limb may increase blood flow, which can worsen edema. Gentle stretching and range of motion exercises, provided by the surgeon, may be used immediately after surgery. Check with a healthcare provider before resuming an exercise program after breast cancer treatment.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes during bathing or washing dishes. Hot tubs, steam baths, and spending time in hot climates may worsen lymphedema.
• Some women notice worsening of their lymphedema during air flight. In the past, many health care providers suggested that women who use compression sleeves wear them during the flight, but this is now controversial. At least one study suggests that short-duration flights (less than 5 hours) do not worsen lymphedema, and that wearing a sleeve during a short flight may actually increase arm swelling.
• Maintain an ideal body weight. Obesity can worsen lymphedema and may limit the effectiveness of compression pumps or sleeves.
• Avoid resting the arm below the heart or sleeping on the arm for prolonged periods.
• Contact a healthcare provider if the affected arm develops a rash, becomes red, blistered, or warm, or if a fever develops (temperature greater than 100.4ºF or 38ºC). These symptoms could signal the beginning or worsening of lymphedema.
• Patients who develop lymphedema many years after surgery or who have lymphedema that is increasing should be evaluated for a possible recurrence of their breast cancer.

Lymphedema Treatment
There is no cure for lymphedema. The main goals of treatment are to control swelling, relieve symptoms, and prevent edema from worsening over time. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after lymphedema is diagnosed. Women who are treated in the early stages are more likely to have a positive outcome.

Treatment should address the all of the symptoms of lymphedema, including swelling, discomfort, difficulty moving the arm, and psychological distress. A healthcare provider or program with expertise in treating lymphedema can be especially helpful.

Because drugs are of little benefit and can sometimes be harmful, the most common approaches are nonpharmacologic (ie, they do not involve medications).

Nonpharmacologic Therapy - Several nonpharmacologic treatment modalities are effective.

Some specialized centers have performed lymphatic microsurgery, which involves draining lymph fluid into blood vessels. A newer technique, microsurgical lymph node transplantation, is currently being studied

Colon and rectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States today and is the third most deadly. Many people do not realize that they might be at risk of developing this cancer - or that colon and rectal cancer can be prevented.

While some colon and rectal cancers are related to a family history of colon polyps or cancer, most are caused by our lifestyle choices. Research has shown that smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity (being very overweight), a lack of exercise, and a diet high in fats and red meats and/or low in fruits and vegetables are risk factors for colon and rectal cancer. The good news is that you may be able to reduce your personal risk of developing this cancer by stopping smoking, consuming alcohol in moderation, exercising regularly, watching your weight, and eating more healthfully.

In addition, colon and rectal cancers that are found early are up to 90% curable. All men and women who are age 50-and- up or younger men and women who have a family history of colon polyps or cancers should talk with their physicians about screening tests that are designed to help find cancer early, when it is the most curable.

Do You Know the Signs of Colon Cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in U.S. men today and is the second leading cause of male cancer death in this country. Men of African-American descent have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, while men of Asian or South American descent rarely develop it. The majority of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are over 65 years old. Recent studies suggest that 5-10% of prostate cancers may be inherited, but a diet high in fat may also be a risk factor.

Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms and is difficult to detect. As the disease advances, some men experience weak or interrupted urine flow, difficulty urinating, frequent urination - especially at night, blood in the urine, or pain with urination or in the back and pelvis. These symptoms can also be present in non-cancerous conditions.

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and a digital rectal exam may help detect prostate cancer earlier in some men. Because the PSA blood test may be above normal in certain conditions that are not cancerous (false positive) and can be normal in certain situations when cancer is present (false negative), men who are considering having a PSA blood test should discuss it with their physician or attend an educational presentation about the PSA blood test so that they can make an informed decision. KMC offers free educational presentations and PSA screening tests each September throughout the Dayton area. For more information, please call KMC Cancer Services office at (937) 395-8115.

For men facing a potential prostate cancer diagnosis, KMC has the expertise you need. Our team of urologists, surgeons and surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and imaging specialists, pharmacists, dieticians, specially trained nurses, therapists, chaplains, and more are ready to serve you.

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the U.S. today among both men and women and is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths. While new cases of lung cancer are rising less rapidly than ten years ago, female lung cancer deaths continue to rise. In fact, more women die each year from lung cancer than from breast cancer.

Although exposure to substances like arsenic, asbestos, air pollution, and radon increase the risk of developing lung cancer, cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Non-smokers who are regularly exposed the second-hand or environmental cigarette smoke in the home, at work, or entertainment establishments (restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, etc) are also at risk. For more information, visit smokefreeohio.org or American Cancer Society.

Tobacco use contributes to 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. today and is the single leading cause of preventable deaths. Smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. In addition to lung cancer, cigarette smoking can contribute to cancers of the larynx, esophagus, oral cavity, pancreas, stomach, cervix, kidney, leukemia, and bladder, as well as heart disease and chronic lung conditions. The good news is that stopping smoking can reduce your risk for these diseases. Some research suggests that smokers who already have lung cancer may live longer if they stop smoking. Kettering Medical Center offers FREE Tobacco Cessation Programs, open to anyone who wants to quit the tobacco habit.

Experts continue to study various methods for screening to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages, when it may be more curable. Until more is known, experts agree that smokers and former smokers should have regular check-ups and may benefit from screening CT scans of the chest.

For people facing a lung cancer diagnosis, KMC has the expertise you need. Our team of pulmonologists, surgeons and surgical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and imaging specialists, critical care physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, specially trained nurses, respiratory and pulmonary rehab therapists, chaplains, and more are ready to serve you. KMC Radiology and Imaging Departments have state-of-the-art technology, including 16 slice CT scans and PET scans to assess your cancer. KMC Radiation Therapy features high-dose brachytherapy (HDR).

Leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma are cancers that start in the bone marrow and the lymphatic tissue. These diseases are considered to be related because they involve the uncontrolled growth of blood-forming cells. This abnormal growth interferes with the production of healthy cells and makes the body unable to protect itself against infections.

Many people who have these cancers experience fatigue, fever, recurrent infections, and weight loss. Although certain genetic abnormalities and chemical exposures have been linked to them, the risk factors for these cancers are largely unknown.

For most people who are facing leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, urgent treatment is required. KMC offers a full array of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, biotherapy, radiation therapy, access to National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials, and one of the newest treatments for selected lymphoma patients, radioimmunotherapy with Bexxar ® or Zevalin ® in our state-of-the-art Nuclear Medicine Department.

Here at KMC, we know that experience counts. Our team of surgeons and surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, critical care and infectious disease physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, specially trained nurses, respiratory and pulmonary rehab therapists, chaplains, and more are ready to serve you. Many people who have leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma require hospitalization for treatment. The nurses on our medical-surgical oncology unit complete additional training in chemotherapy and biotherapy. Many of our nurses are nationally certified in medical-surgical nursing, geriatric nursing, hospice-palliative care, and oncology nursing. An oncology clinical nurse specialist is also available to assist you with questions and identifying resources.

Endometrium, cancers of the ovary, cervix, and uterus, account for approximately 80,000 new cancer cases each year. Overall, these female reproductive cancers are decreasing in the U.S., however, ovarian cancer continues to cause a significant number of deaths.

Risk factors for female reproductive cancers vary. Uterine (endometrial) and ovarian cancers are associated with estrogen replacement therapy and never bearing children. Cervical cancer is closely associated with having sexual experience at an early age, multiple sexual partners, or sexual partners who have had multiple sexual partners themselves. Cigarette smoking increases the risk for cervical cancer. Certain genetic problems such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (associated with breast cancer) and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer can increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian or uterine (endometrial) cancers. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of dying from cervical and uterine cancers.

Often, early stages of female reproductive cancers do not cause symptoms. The most common sign of cervical and uterine cancers is abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting. Ovarian cancer is often called the disease that "whispers" because symptoms are absent or vague.

Early detection of female reproductive cancers can be difficult. All women should report any unexpected or post-menopausal bleeding as well as digestive disturbances that persist or cannot be explained by any other cause. Regular PAP tests can help detect cervical cancer. Regular pelvic exams may help diagnose other problems. At this time, no accurate screening test for ovarian cancer exists. Women who are at a high risk for ovarian cancer or who are experiencing symptoms may be offered a transvaginal ultrasound and a tumor-marker blood test called CA-125.

For women facing a female reproductive cancer diagnosis, KMC has an experienced team of surgeons and surgical oncologists, GYN oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiologists and imaging specialists, pharmacists, dieticians, specially trained nurses, therapists, chaplains, and more ready to serve.

More than one million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year. An additional 55,000 people are diagnosed with a more serious form of skin cancer called melanoma. While skin cancers are usually highly curable, melanoma causes about 8000 deaths each year.

The ABCDE rule outlines warning signs:
A is for asymmetry, one half of the mole does not match the other half.
B is for border irregularity, the edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
C is for color, the pigmentation is not uniform, with variable degrees of tan, brown, or black.
D is for diameter greater than six millimeters.
E is for evolution, any change in an existing mole or lesion.

The best treatment for skin cancer is to prevent it! The American Cancer Society recommends the following for the prevention of skin cancer:

• limit or avoid exposure to the sun during the midday hours (10 AM to 4PM)

• when outdoors, wear a hat that shades the face, neck, and ears, and a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Wear sunglasses to protect the skin around the eyes and the eye.

• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

• Because severe sunburns in childhood may greatly increase risk of melanoma in later life, children, in particular, should be protected from the sun.

• Visit the National Cancer Institute web site.

• Visit the American Cancer Society web site.

KMC offers free annual skin cancer screenings each May in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and Wright State University, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology. For more information, please call the Cancer Services office at (937) 395-8115 or the American Cancer Society at 1-888-ACS-OHIO (1-888-227-6446).

A brain tumor is a mass of cells within the brain that occupies space. These tumors may be benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Even if a brain tumor is benign and generally shows a controlled rate of growth, they can be dangerous because of the location in the brain. The brain is surrounded by solid skull, which will not allow for significant expansion. When a benign tumor grows, it may press upon normal tissues in the brain, causing them to be impaired or damaged. Therefore, it is very important that both benign and malignant tumors be treated as soon as possible.

Symptoms
Most brain tumors appear in the upper part of the brain in the cerebral hemispheres. This is the region of the brain that controls thought, emotion, reasoning, and language.

Since brain tumors can invade or press on normal brain tissue, symptoms can result from the pressure created. Symptoms typically include headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or weakness/numbness in the arms or legs, and difficulty with speech or thought processing. Because other diseases can also cause these symptoms, it is important to perform diagnostic tests to determine if a brain tumor is present.

Learn More

Head and neck cancers affect about 39,000 men and women in the US each year. The majority or oral, head and neck area cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, meaning that they begin in the squamous cells that line the structures of the head and neck. These cancers include the oral (buccal) cavity, the roof of the mouth (also called the palate), the paranasal sinuses, pharynx and tonsils, the larynx, and lymph nodes in the neck. The term head and neck cancer does not include superficial skin cancer or cancer of the brain.

Doctors do not always know what causes head and neck cancer; however tobacco and alcohol use, neglect of oral hygiene, and certain chemical exposure or viruses can increase your risk for developing oral, head and neck cancer. Notify your doctor or dentist if you notice lumps or sores in your mouth or neck, have difficulty swallowing or hoarseness, have pain in the ear or jaw, or persistent nasal congestion or loss of smell.

For more information about oral, head and neck cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute web site.

For people facing oral, head and neck cancers, KMC has the expertise you need. Our team of ENT physicians, head and neck surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and imaging specialists, critical care physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, speech and swallowing therapists, specially trained nurses, chaplains, and other healthcare specialists are ready to serve you. KMC also offers a support group for people with head and neck cancer and those who support them.