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Know Your Risks

This short assessment will help you find out if you have major risk factors for ovarian cancer.

About CancerSee All in About CancerShow Blurbs
Talking with your family about cancer and the emotions that arise is not a one-time discussion, but rather a series of talks that will continue through your treatment. ...more
Cancer is when cells in the body change and grow out of control. Your body is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Normal cells grow when your body needs them, and die when your body does not need them any longer. Cancer is made up of abnormal cells that grow even though your body doesn’t need them....more
A helpful overview guide to understanding what cancer is....more
Cancer and GeneticsSee All in Cancer and GeneticsShow Blurbs
A mutation is a change in a gene that prevents it from working correctly. We inherit mutations from our parents in specific ways, one of which is called autosomal dominant inheritance. ...more
Detailed information on autosomal recessive genes....more
People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines. ...more
FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of noncancer (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100% risk of colorectal cancer. ...more
Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers . syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. ...more
Here is a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider about treatment for thyroid cancer. ...more
About Cancer and GeneticsGenetics: Breast and Ovarian CancerGenetics: Colorectal CancerGenetics: Other CancersGenetic Testing
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Cancer Test and ProceduresSee All in Cancer Test and ProceduresShow Blurbs
Healthcare providers use tests like mammography, MRI) and CT scans to help them screen for, diagnose, treat, and keep track of cancer. Read on to learn more about them. ...more
Imaging—X-rays, CT scans, MRIs—is a process that makes pictures of body structures and organs. It is used to find tumors and other abnormalities, to determine the extent of disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. ...more
A barium swallow is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes the back of your mouth and throat (pharynx) and your esophagus. ...more
A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your lower GI tract includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...more
A chest X-ray is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working. Certain heart problems can cause changes in your lungs. Certain diseases can cause changes in the structure of the heart or lungs. ...more
A chest ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working. ...more
Cancer Tests OverviewGastroenterology Tests and ProceduresPulmonary Tests and ProceduresOrthopedic Tests and ProceduresNeurology Tests and ProceduresGynecology Tests and ProceduresUrology Tests and Procedures
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Cancer DiagnosisSee All in Cancer DiagnosisShow Blurbs
Getting a cancer diagnosis is confusing and stressful. Here are some helpful questions to ask your healthcare provider. ...more
Ascites is a condition that occurs when fluid collects in spaces in your belly. It can be painful and keep you from moving around comfortably. Ascites can set the stage for an infection in your belly. Fluid may also move into your chest and surround your lungs. This makes it hard to breathe. ...more
Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a collection of symptoms that usually occur in patients who have lung cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or other cancers. It also can occur from noncancer causes. This summary explains SVCS and its treatment in adults and children. ...more
Some practical and helpful tips to help you or a loved one cope with a cancer diagnosis....more
Cancer and NutritionSee All in Cancer and NutritionShow Blurbs
Good nutrition is important even before cancer treatment begins. The main goal is to try to keep your weight constant while eating as many healthy nutrients as possible. Read on to learn more. ...more
You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more
Helpful tips on clear liquids and full liquids that may help you deal with side effects during cancer treatment. ...more
Enteral nutrition is nutrition given through tube feedings, as a supplement or as the sole source of nutrients. Parenteral nutrition is a special mixture of sugar, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals given through an IV. ...more
Hypermetabolism can happen with some cancers. This condition affects how the body uses proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and you may need to increase your calorie and protein intake. Discuss this with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian. ...more
To boost your calories, add butter or margarine to puddings, casseroles, sandwiches, vegetables, cooked cereal, breads, and pasta. Add wheat germ to hot cereals, meat dishes, cookie batter, and casseroles. ...more
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Cancer TreatmentSee All in Cancer TreatmentShow Blurbs
The conventional, main methods of treating cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy/biological therapy. Your healthcare provider will determine which treatment or treatments are best for you. ...more
The first step in preparing for your cancer treatment is to find an oncologist and treatment center. Ask your general or primary healthcare provider for a referral or contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state's health department, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Medical Association, for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area. ...more
Questions to ask your healthcare provider if you are considering chemotherapy....more
Because anticancer medicines are made to kill growing cells, they also affect normal, fast-growing cells such as blood cells forming in the bone marrow and cells in the digestive tract, reproductive system, and hair follicles. Some anticancer medicines may affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. ...more
The radiology team is led by 1 or more radiologists. Radiologists interpret the results of exams, do certain procedures, consult with other healthcare providers in other specialties, and make sure of the overall quality performance of the entire team. ...more
Read on to learn about the role of the radiologist....more
About Cancer TreatmentChemotherapyRadiation TherapyHormone TherapySurgeryOther Cancer TreatmentsClinical TrialsComplementary and Alternative Therapies
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Cancer Treatment Side EffectsSee All in Cancer Treatment Side EffectsShow Blurbs
Chemotherapy can damage your body’s ability to make red blood cells, so body tissues don't get enough oxygen. This is a condition called anemia. People who have anemia may feel very weak or tired, dizzy, faint, or short of breath, or may feel that their hearts are beating very fast. ...more
Nearly all chemo medicines suppress the bone marrow. And that, in turn, causes a reduction in the number of blood cells. This raises the risk for anemia, infection, bleeding, and bruising. Here's what you need to know. ...more
Treatment for cancer, as well as the cancer itself, can affect your sense of taste or smell. You may find that many foods seem to have less taste. Other foods, especially meat or other high-protein foods, may taste bitter or metallic. Read on to learn what you can do about it. ...more
Nausea, vomiting, or changes in food’s taste or smell all may contribute to you losing your appetite. Sometimes, the cancer treatment itself will make you feel like not eating. ...more
These skills take practice, and the more you practice them, the more helpful they are. Some people find it helpful to listen to soothing music as they practice. ...more
You have come to the decision with your healthcare provider to try an antidepressant medicine for depression. To take antidepressant drugs medicine safely, you will need some information, which you can find here. ...more
Anemia and InfectionsAppetite Loss and Taste ChangesAnxiety and DepressionBone LossConstipationDiarrheaFatigueMouth Sores and Swallowing IssuesNausea and VomitingOther Side EffectsPain ControlSexual IssuesSkin Problems and Hair LossSleep and Neurological Issues
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Living With CancerSee All in Living With CancerShow Blurbs
Some practical and helpful tips to help you or a loved one cope with a cancer diagnosis....more
Sometimes, cancer cannot be cured. When that is the case, patients and families are faced with complex emotions and a variety of end of life issues. ...more
Grieving is a normal response to a loss. The loss can include the loss of your normal daily routine, the impact of the diagnosis on other family members, and the financial impact of the diagnosis. ...more
These skills take practice, and the more you practice them, the more helpful they are. Some people find it helpful to listen to soothing music as they practice. ...more
Art, dance, music—all are examples of mind-body therapy. Although these therapies do not cure cancer, they provide an outlet for emotions and can improve mental and physical well-being. ...more
You have come to the decision with your healthcare provider to try an antidepressant medicine for depression. To take antidepressant drugs medicine safely, you will need some information, which you can find here. ...more
Coping With Cancer OverviewManaging Emotions and StressFamily SupportRecords and DocumentsSexual ConcernsSpiritual NeedsWork and FinancesCancer SurvivorshipCare for CaregiverEnd of Life CareGrief and Loss
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Specific CancersSee All in Specific CancersShow Blurbs
Detailed information on the adrenal gland, its anatomy and function...more
Adrenal cancer is a rare cancer that begins in the adrenal glands. Read on to learn more about the adrenal glands, and types of tumors found there. ...more
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have adrenal cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. Here's what you can expect. ...more
An abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test used to assess the organs and structures in the belly. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the test. ...more
The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. It's one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat cancer. Learn about the stages of adrenal cancer. ...more
There are several treatment choices for adrenal cancer. Which may work best for you? It depends on a few factors. ...more
Adrenal CancerAnal CancerBile Duct CancerBladder CancerBone CancerBrain and Central Nervous CancerBreast CancerCarcinoma of Unknown PrimaryCervical CancerColorectal CancerEndometrial CancerEsophageal CancerEwing SarcomaEye CancerGallbladder CancerHead and Neck CancerHodgkin DiseaseKaposi's SarcomaKidney CancerLaryngeal CancerLeukemia - GeneralLeukemia - Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)Leukemia - Acute Myelocytic (AML)Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)Leukemia - Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)Liver CancerLung CancerMalignant MesotheliomaMultiple MyelomaNon-Hodgkin LymphomaOral CancerOvarian CancerPancreatic CancerPenile CancerPituitary CancerProstate CancerSkin Cancer - MelanomaSkin Cancer - Non-MelanomaSoft Tissue SarcomaStomach CancerTesticular CancerThymus CancerThyroid CancerUrethral CancerUterine CancerVaginal CancerVulvar CancerOther Cancers
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Children and CancerSee All in Children and CancerShow Blurbs
Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer. It’s most common in children and teens between ages 10 and 19. It usually grows in bone, but it can also grow in soft tissue that’s connected to the bone. Read on to learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment....more
Osteosarcoma is cancer of the bone. It is rare, but it is the most common type of bone cancer in children and teens. Learn more about risks, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. ...more
The brain can be divided into 3 main parts: the cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum....more
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also includes the spinal cord. ...more
Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the retina of the eye. The retina is in the back of the eye. It’s the part of the eye that receives light. Retinoblastoma is the most common tumor affecting the eye in children. It almost always occurs in children less than 5 years old. ...more
Detailed information on visual screening tests in children...more
Childhood CancersAbout CancerCancer TreatmentCancer PreventionLiving With CancerCaring for the Child
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Interactive ToolsSee All in Interactive ToolsShow Blurbs
Answer this one: Although mammograms can identify tumors at a very early stage, the tumors may have been growing for how long by the time they show up on the X-ray?...more
True or false: Most of the lumps women find when checking their breasts aren't cancerous....more
Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Take this simple assessment to learn about your risks for this type of cancer....more
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (other than skin cancer). The American Cancer Society reports the breast cancer death rate is declining, probably because of earlier detection and improved treatment. This short assessment will help you determine if you have major risk factors for breast cancer. ...more
MultimediaSee All in MultimediaShow Blurbs
A hysterectomy is a common procedure that some women may need to help stop pain, bleeding, or other problems. It can be done in several ways, one of which is abdominally. In this video, you'll find out medical conditions that may require a hysterectomy and what to expect if you need this procedure....more
See how a plan to quit using tobacco - including identifying your reasons for using tobacco, the triggers that cause you to use tobacco and how to avoid your triggers - can help you quit successfully....more
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