According to the Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. That’s not all—more than 100 types of cancers have been identified till date. Some conditions are asymptomatic in the early stages and are harder to detect than others. If you are at-risk due to your family history or environmental factors, it is advisable to know the common types of cancers, their symptoms, and ways to prevent them.

Common cancer types
The body is made up of billions of cells that make up various organs and tissues. When one develops cancer, the cells in the body develop abnormally and crowd out other healthy body tissues and impair their normal functioning. These abnormal cells grow into masses of cells and repeat the uncontrolled cycle of multiplication in the body. Cancers are usually named after the tissue where they originate. For instance, cancer of the lungs, breast, prostate, etc. Some of the most common types of cancers that you should know about are:

Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world today. It is expected to fatally impact more than 2.1 million people around the world by 2035. This kind of cancer forms anywhere in the lungs. Some of the common causes of lung cancer include:

Secondhand smoke
Genetics
Family history
Air pollution
HIV
Radiation through CT scans

Some symptoms of the condition include chest pain, chronic cough, wheezing, hoarseness, blood in the sputum, weight loss, and trouble swallowing, among others. Though it is a common type of cancer, reducing the exposure to risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent it.

Breast cancer
Breast cancer, as the name suggests, occurs when the cells in one or both breasts begin to grow uncontrollably. Though it can occur in both men and women, it is more common in women. According to research, some reasons that contribute to this cancer are:

Inherited genes
Family history of this cancer
Excess BMI
Leading an inactive lifestyle

Here are some common symptoms of this cancer:

A lump or thickness in the breast
Changes in the size and shape of the breast
Dimpling of skin over the chest area
Peeling or flaking of the areola

There are certain steps that you can take to help prevent the risk of breast cancer. These include exercising and reducing your exposure to radiation.

Kidney cancer
Approximately 80,000 adults in the country live with kidney cancer. It is the sixth most common cancer for men and the ninth most common for women. Though the exact causes of kidney cancer are unknown, certain factors increase the chances of a person getting it. These include:

Family history
Genetics
Advancing age
Gender
Chronic kidney disease
Undergoing dialysis for a long time

Some typical symptoms of this cancer include hematuria, lower back pain, loss of appetite, a lump on the lower back, unexplained loss in body mass, and unexplained low-degree fever. Like other cancers, kidney cancer can be prevented by leading an active lifestyle and exercising, optimizing your weight, and eating nutritious meals.

Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It mainly affects men and is one of the leading causes of deaths after lung cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may only need to be monitored. On the other hand, some may spread aggressively and require immediate surgery. The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown. Experts attribute it to changes in a person’s DNA, advancing age, and family history, among other factors. Some common symptoms of this type of cancer are:

Having trouble urinating or decreased flow of urine
Blood in the urine
Need to urinate often
Experiencing a burning sensation while urinating
Pain in the bones
Pain in the pelvic area, thighs, hips, or lower back
Erectile dysfunction

Changing your lifestyle to include frequent exercise, healthy food options, and managing stress can be advantageous in preventing the development of prostate cancer.

The key to preventing cancer and getting the condition treated at an early stage is to be aware of the symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, inform your doctor immediately. However, also know that just because you have these symptoms, doesn’t mean that you have cancer. Several symptoms can be a result of other diseases too. It is recommended to speak to a certified healthcare professional instead of taking decisions independently and opting for generic prescriptions. It is also important to not make any drastic lifestyle changes.