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Cancer does not develop from a single cause. From genetics and aging to lifestyle and environmental factors, many things can influence cancer risk. Understanding these risk factors is an important first step toward prevention, early screening and better long-term health awareness for both patients and families.

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.

Immunotherapy is used to stimulate the body's immune system against cancer. These treatments target specific genetic characteristics of the tumor cells. The genetic characteristics of tumors do not depend on what organ in the body the cancer develops. So these medications may be effective against many types of cancer.

In 2025, approximately 104,960 new cases of melanoma are anticipated to occur in the United States, causing an estimated 8,430 deaths (1). The lifetime risk is approximately 3% for White people, 0.1% for Black people, and 0.5% for Hispanic people. Melanoma accounts for < 2% of total skin cancers diagnosed in the United States but causes most skin cancer deaths.