Here for the whole you

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. It can start almost anywhere in the body. Many cancers form tumors, which are masses of tissue.

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In most cases, it is not possible to know exactly why one person gets cancer and another person does not get cancer. Research has shown that there are risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of getting cancer. Some risk factors, such as gender, age and family history, cannot be changed. Other risk factors can be modified to lower your risk.

The most common risk factors include:

• gender
• age
• family history of cancer
• diet (what you eat and drink)
• obesity
• hormones
• radiation/sunlight
• tobacco use
• alcohol use
• immunosuppression (lowers your body’s ability to fight infection)
• cancer-causing chemicals or substances

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The most common ways to diagnose cancer include lab tests, a biopsy or imaging tests. Your health care team will use this information to learn more about your symptoms and determine if you have cancer or not.

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You and your doctor will work together to decide on the best treatment plan for your cancer. Treatment options may include one or more of the following:

• Surgery is a procedure done to remove the cancer from your body.
• Chemotherapy is medicine given by mouth, injection or through an IV (intravenous) line to destroy cancer cells throughout your whole body.
• Targeted therapy uses medicines designed to target specific features of cancer cells and stop them from growing and spreading. Immunotherapy and hormone therapy are two common types of targeted therapies.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation (X-rays) to shrink or destroy cancer cells.
• Clinical trials (cancer treatment studies) are done to try to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
• Palliative care is for anyone who is in any stage of an advanced illness. This is care that provides relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family.

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Your team will include many health care providers who, along with you, will create your health care team. You are the center of your health care team.

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Integrative medicine treats the whole person—body, mind and spirit—at the same time. It puts the person at the center to restore or maintain their health. Integrative medicine can help manage side effects of cancer treatment, decrease inflammation and stress, and improve your well-being and quality of life during and after treatment.

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• Get regular cancer screenings.
• Learn if you have a history of cancer in your family.
• Eat well-balanced meals that include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Get regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid or limit alcohol.

Learn more about preventive health screenings

Although today’s cancer treatments are more advanced and effective than ever before, they can affect sexual performance, function and fertility. These can be sensitive topics, but it’s important you have an open and honest conversation with your care team about what you can expect and potential solutions.

The following videos also answer some frequently asked questions:

• Five FAQs about Men's Sexual Health and Cancer Treatment - Allina Health Cancer Institute
  
  
• Five FAQs about Women's Sexual Health and Cancer Treatment - Allina Health Cancer Institute

Learn more about common cancer treatments.