Cancer occurs due to genetic changes in the cells that regulate growth. As a result, cancerous cells cannot stop dividing and growing, causing a lump known as a tumor. Breast cancer is a mutation that develops in breast cells. It mostly affects the lobules, a part that produces milk, and the ducts act as a pathway for milk to the nipples of the breast. Additionally, cancer can form in the connective tissues within the breast. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosis among women after skin cancer. It affects both men and women but is highly prevalent in women. Research studies have indicated genetic history, environmental factors, hormonal changes, radiation exposure, old age, and unhealthy lifestyle habits as the common risk factors for breast cancer. Early symptoms of breast cancer differ with the level of cancer infection. Nevertheless, there are common early symptoms, as highlighted below: 1. A lump in the breast or armpit A lump or mass occurs due to the unstoppable cell growth and division in cancerous cells. As a result, they become excessive, leading to the formation of a mass or tumor. Breast cancer causes changes in the skin of patients.

Asthma is a condition that causes the airways to become narrowed or blocked, making it difficult to breathe. The cells lining the airway sometimes produce thick mucus, making it even more difficult to breathe and may necessitate a visit to the emergency room. Symptoms of asthma and allergies include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. People living with asthma say it is like an elephant sitting on their chest. Both adults and children can be victims of this condition. Many things may trigger asthma or allergy attacks; known environmental factors include poor air quality, gas and diesel fumes, smoke, and pollen. There is no definitive answer to why some people are more susceptible to air pollutants and other triggers than others. However, the city in which you reside may play a role: 1. Springfield, MA The city nicknamed “The City of Firsts” for having America’s first armory and the first American-made car also has the dubious honor of being named as the 2018 Asthma capital of the United States by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It continues to be a city that is not friendly to asthma sufferers. Exhaust from vehicles, severe weather shifts, air pollutants, humid summers, and high pollen have made this city hard for residents who have asthma.

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that typically affects those who have smoked or those who have a family history of having lung cancer. There are two types, small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, and they can be treated by radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. There are many symptoms of this type of cancer, although most of the following signs typically appear during the later stages of the disease: 1. Chronic cough that gets worse Cough can be a sign of many different illnesses, or even just a cold or allergies, but if your coughing gets worse and worse, it may be time to check into a doctor. A chronic cough could be the sign of many different more serious illnesses. 2. Coughing up blood Although coughing up blood is typically a symptom of lung cancer that has progressed to later stages, it is still very telling. Coughing blood is definitely a sign that something is wrong. If you are coughing blood and are experiencing pain, get to the doctor immediately. 3. Chest pain Pain in the chest can be indicative of lung cancer, although if you have slight pain and no other symptoms, you should not be that worried.

Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a type of plasma cell cancer. These cancerous cells destroy normal cells, find the marrow of our bones and replace the cells with tumors and abnormal lesions. These tumors cause bone damage, which results in pain or fractures. Multiple myeloma risk factors involve gender, age, and ethnic disparities. For example, this bone cancer affects more men than women; people over the age of 50 are more affected; and African-Americans are more commonly affected. The damage caused by multiple myeloma may include bone damage where excess calcium in the blood puts a strain on the kidneys. For this reason early detection and treatment is critical. Also, anemia as well as low white blood cell counts lessens the body’s ability to fight infections. The symptoms of multiple myeloma do not affect all patients in the same way. The most common myeloma warning signs are: 1. Ostalgia The bone pain (ostalgia) experienced are a result of the cancer-causing weakness, fractures, and tumors that affect the body’s nervous system. Under an x-ray, myeloma is said to look like holes within the bones. Myeloma is a long-term disease. When the nerves are affected, not only do individuals experience chronic bone pain, but chronic tingling sensations.

Liver cancer can begin in the liver or, more commonly, spread to the liver from other parts of the body. Because the symptoms of liver cancer do not typically begin until more advanced stages, liver cancer can often go undetected until it has become severe. For this reason, routine screening tests for individuals who are at-risk may be important in catching liver cancer before it has become an extreme risk. Early detection and treatment is key. Symptoms may be different for each person, but here are six early warning signs of liver cancer: 1. Losing weight without trying Weight may fluctuate in any individual for a multitude of reasons, but if there have been no changes in diet, exercise, or medications that are known to cause weight loss, this may be an early sign of liver cancer. After ruling out complicating lifestyle variables, it may be necessary to screen for liver cancer, especially for at-risk individuals. 2. Upper abdominal pain and swelling One of the key warning signs of liver cancer can be abdominal swelling, or even a mass forming in the abdomen. This is called ascites, and develops as a result of the liver increasing in size due to the cancer, and pressure growing in the liver, causing blood to be backed up in the vessels.