Practical Matters

Men face a very high risk of lung cancer. It is the third leading cause of death, right behind prostate and colon cancer. Overall, lung cancer is also the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The best thing a man -- or anyone -- can do to reduce this risk is to quit smoking or never start.

One of the most common cancers in women, cervical cancer begins in the tissues of the cervix – an area that connects the vagina to the uterus in women.

Many people newly diagnosed with cancer have questions about working through their treatment -- as well as questions about how/when they can return to work after treatment. It really depends on the person, their diagnosis and their treatment plan, but there are some things to consider about work and cancer.

Most cervical cancers are caused by the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV immunization could reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide by as much as two-thirds, if all adolescent and adult women were to get the vaccine.

While testicular cancer is rare, it is the most common form of cancer in men ages 15-35, according to the Testicular Cancer Society. Generally men in this age group are robust and healthy, so cancer may be something they think only happens to other people. Educating men on the importance, as well as the technique, of testicular self-exam may help to reduce the incidence of this cancer.

Smoking cigarettes is the biggest environmental health hazard facing the world today. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, whether you’re facing a cancer diagnosis or not. It usually takes more than willpower to quit. Medications to quit smoking double your chances to quit successfully. If you're seeking support to quit smoking, the University of Michigan’s Tobacco Consultation Services can help.

Talking about money can be a challenge for most of us even during the best of times. When there is a diagnosis of cancer (and cancer is a costly illness), worrying about money and how to manage the cost of cancer care can take a toll on your emotions, family, health and time.

We asked Larry An, M.D., director of the Center for Health Communications Research at the University of Michigan, to help us understand how IT improves cancer care. The center includes behavioral scientists, health counselors, and software and media professionals who, in partnership with doctors and researchers from across the university, develop and test ways to help people access information and make more informed health decisions.

Many factors determine the cause of cancer, including a person's health history, lifestyle, exposure to elements in the environment and how an individual’s DNA responds to all of it. Justin Colacino, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at the U-M School of Public Health provides his insights.

Cancer can be linked to our environment, but a large number of cancers can be prevented. Here’s what you need to know.