Cancer is not just a disease - it is also a journey filled with uncertainty, questions and overwhelming information for patients and their families. This article aims to provide a simple understanding of what cancer is, the common types of cancer and why understanding the disease can help patients feel more informed and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

Breast cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages, and early treatment is more likely to be successful; thus, screening is important. Screening is the hunt for a disorder before any symptoms occur. Breast cancer screening is recommended for all women in the United States, but major medical organization vary regarding the starting age and frequency of screening.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal cancer. Symptoms can include hematuria, flank pain, a palpable mass, and fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, symptoms are often absent, so the diagnosis is usually suspected based on incidental findings. Diagnosis is confirmed by CT or MRI and occasionally by biopsy. Treatment is with surgery for early disease and systemic therapy, an experimental protocol, or palliative therapy for advanced disease.