Cancer Types

What Types of Cancer are There?

There are over 100 types of cancer that plague mankind. Here at CancerArchive.com, I attempt to cover as many cancer types as possible but my focus will be on the more common types of cancer.

The Ten Most Common Cancer Types in the USA

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancers are classified as common if there are more than 30,000 cases for the current year. The most common cancer types in the USA include skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Here are the 10 most common cancer types as of 2007:

Cancer Type New Cases Number of Deaths
Skin Cancer (non-melanoma) >1,000,000 >2,000
Prostate Cancer 218,890 27,050
Lung Cancer 213,380 160,390
Breast Cancer 178,480 40,460
Colorectal (Colon and Rectal) Cancer 153,760 52,180
Bladder Cancer 67,160 13,750
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 63,190 18,660
Melanoma 59,940 8,110
Leukemia 44,240 21,790
Kidney Cancer 43,512 10,957

Common Causes Of Cancer

Smoking

Cigarette smoking is the leading yet most preventable cause of death in the US. Lung cancer, the most common disease traced to tobacco use, has the highest death rate among the top 10 cancer types. Smoking has also been linked to cancers of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, kidney, pancreas, stomach, and cervix. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk of developing lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Viruses

Viruses can cause cancer by altering properties of the cell that control its growth and replication. There are two types of viruses that cause cancer: DNA and RNA tumor viruses. A study by Dr. Royal Rife reveals that cancer-causing viruses do not always come from outside the body – toxic substances can sometimes transform healthy bacteria into harmful viruses. Cervical and liver cancer are two of the common cancer types caused by viruses.

Genetics

People with a family history of cancer are at higher risk of the disease, although not always in the same form. Only 10% of cancers are genetic in origin; the other 90% comes from lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Cancer types caused by genetics include, breast, colon, thyroid, and pancreatic cancers.

Diet

Unhealthy diets are among the major risk factors for cancer. According to research, as much as one-third of all cancer deaths could have been prevented by proper diet and exercise. High-fat foods such as meat and oil are known to increase the risk of developing prostate, breast and other cancer types.

Immune System

Some cancer types are also caused by free radicals – unstable compounds that damage cell structure. Free radicals can alter the DNA of healthy cells and their ability to replicate properly, which is one of the major indicators of cancer. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as tea, fruits, and vegetables, can help fight free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer.

Environment

Several cancer cases have been linked to occupational exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals. Asbestos, a fire-resistant mineral, is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer and has been banned in most products. Studies have also linked soot, coal tar, and benzene to increased risk of renal cell cancer. Radiation from UV rays, cell phones and radon (found in some rocks and soils) also increases the risk of some cancer types.

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