Emma Bradshaw

I talked to Kelli Bradshaw who works in the cancer registry department of the Arizona state Health Department.  She and I talked about the five leading sites of invading cancer in Arizona. 

1.       Prostate cancer is the first, and most commonly found cancer.  Prostate cancer occurs in males when the cells in the prostate grow out of control.  Prostate cancer has no common symptoms, although some men may experience some discomfort.  This makes it harder to diagnose, because people often will not go to a doctor just because they are experiencing some discomfort.  Forms of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation. 

2.       The second most common cancer found in Arizona is lung cancer.  Lung cancer is most often associated with smoking, although that is not always the cause.  The early stages of lung cancer are also very hard to detect—there are few, if any, symptoms of lung cancer that show themselves in the early stages.  As the cancer progresses, the symptoms that may manifest include coughing, bloody mucus, and wheezing.  This cancer is the cause for about 29% of all cancer deaths.

3.       The third most prevalent cancer in Arizona is female breast cancer.  Breast cancer is usually found by an unnatural lump found in the breast, or an abnormal mammogram.  Breast cancer, if found early, is very curable.  But if found late, it can be one of the most terminal cancers.  Breast cancer is commonly known as being in women.  But, it in fact has been found in men, and in those cases must be taken much more seriously.  There are many different fundraisers and other activities to help raise awareness to this cancer, because the goal is to detect the cancer early so that deaths from breast cancer will be prevented. 

4.       The fourth most common cancer is colorectal. Colorectal cancer is also known as colon or bowel cancer, and is often caused by an unnatural cell growth in the colon, rectum, large intestine, or appendix.  This cancer mostly occurs because of aging, or life style, with few cases because of genetic disorders.  Screening for this cancer is usually done between the ages of 50 and 75, and is very successful.  If the cancer is found while it is still within the walls of the colon, it is very easily removed by surgery, but if it travels to other parts of the body, it is more difficult, and usually not curable ,although chemotherapy can lengthen and improve the quality of life the person may have.   

5.       The fifth most prevalent cancer found in Arizona is cancer of the bladder.  Bladder cancer can occur in anyone, but is most often found in the older generation.  Symptoms are often blood in urine, back pain, pelvic pain, or pain while using the bathroom.   Because of this, bladder cancer is almost always caught early.  This means that it is very treatable, and few fatalities happen.  But this cancer reoccurs often, so the survivors must have frequent check-ups.  While all causes of this cancer can not be determined, it has been linked to parasitic infection, smoking, chemical exposure, and radiation.  This cancer is very treatable, although it may not be preventable yet.