Cancer occurs when cells in our body multiply out of control, producing lots of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't function like normal cells should and can invade tissues or organs and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Anal cancer is cancer that is in the anus, which is the last few centimeters of the bowel and connects the bowel to the outside of the body (the last area your stool passes through when you go for a poop). It is not a common cancer; however, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases your risk of developing anal cancer. HPV is a virus passed on through sexual intercourse. Most people will be infected with HPV infection in their lifetime and the majority will not develop anal cancer. Both HPV infection and anal cancer are more common in people who have anal sex with a lot of different partners, those who smoke, those with a lowered immune system, or those who have had cervical, vulval, or vaginal cancer. The most common symptoms of anal cancer are bleeding, pain, itching, discharge and fecal incontinence (losing the ability to control when you poop). There are many more common causes of bleeding, pain and itching symptoms that are not anal cancer, so please don’t be worried if you have symptoms. We should be clear that anal cancer is rare. More subtle signs of cancer can be unexplained tiredness or loss of weight, night sweats or pain in your bones.

The womb is a pear-shaped female organ in your pelvis where a baby grows during pregnancy. It’s mostly muscular, and its lining is called the endometrium. Endometrial cancer begins in the lining of the womb and can then spread to the body of the womb and is sometimes referred to as uterine cancer. When discovered early enough, removal of the womb can cure the cancer. It’s the 4th most common cancer in women in the US with over 65,000 women developing it each year. Most cases occur over the age of 50 with the peak incidence being between the ages of 75 and 80. Most women get symptoms and therefore present at an early stage, giving a good chance that any treatment will succeed. The chances of survival are fairly good, and – taking into account all the different levels of endometrial cancer - more than 81% survive 5 years or more.

The esophagus is another name for the food pipe, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer can arise anywhere along the food pipe. In the US, it is rather uncommon. There are two types of esophageal cancer: adenocarcinoma is the most common, arising from within the mucous glands towards the bottom of the tube, and squamous cell carcinoma, which arises from the lining of the esophagus in the top and middle part of the tube. The sooner the cancer is found, the better the chance of curing the disease. It’s tough to treat, and survival depends on whether the cancer has spread to other body parts.

The cervix is known as the neck of the womb and is a narrow muscular opening connecting the vagina to the womb (uterus). Cancer can affect any part of the cervix. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by certain strains of a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The risk of cervical cancer has been much reduced with both the US’s cervical screening program and the HPV vaccination program. It's a relatively uncommon cancer but receives a lot of attention as it is so easily prevented if early cell changes are caught and because it affects young women who are otherwise healthy and at low risk of other cancers.

Cancer occurs when cells in the body multiply out of control, producing lots of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't function like they should and can invade tissues or organs and sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Different cancers are due to different types of cells multiplying out of control. The most common types in the US are breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancer, but there are many other types of cancer. Approximately 40% of people will develop cancer in their lifetime, which is a scary fact, but the treatments for cancer have improved tremendously over the years. Many cancers can be cured completely, particularly if caught early, so it's important to know about the signs to look out for and to seek medical advice early if you notice these. Any cancer fits into four stages, depending on the tumor size, whether it has spread, and how far. These are used to guide what treatment would be best. In Stage 1, the cancer is small and has not spread anywhere. Stage 2 is when the tumor is larger but hasn't spread. In Stage 3, the cancer is larger and has spread to nearby areas. Stage 4 is when the cancer has spread to other body parts and is known as metastatic cancer.

A brain tumor occurs when a cluster of cells grows abnormally in the brain. These can affect you in different ways. It may not contain cancerous cells, in which case it is termed benign, but it may grow to a size that presses on important areas of the brain to cause symptoms. Alternatively, it may contain cancerous cells, in which case it disrupts the normal function of an area of the brain, even if it is a small size, and this is called a malignant tumor. If a benign tumor remains small and slow-growing, it may not cause any symptoms at all. Brain tumors can affect anyone at any age but are more common in adults than children. About 25,000 new cases of brain cancer are diagnosed in the US each year. On average, the 5-year survival rate is 32% after diagnosis.

Cancer occurs when cells in our body multiply out of control, producing lots of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't function like they should and can invade tissues or organs and sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, includes cancer of the colon (which is the large intestine) and cancer of the rectum (which is the last few inches of the large intestine before it turns into the anus). It is the third most common cancer in the US, affecting both men and women, and is more likely as we age. Certain genetic and lifestyle factors can increase your risk - we'll talk you through them. Symptoms of bowel cancer include blood in the stool, a change in your bowel habits for more than a few weeks, and a tending towards diarrhea, but may also tend towards constipation, too. Another symptom may be abdominal pain or discomfort and bloating. It is important to note that most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer, but if they persist, occur with older individuals, or occur with symptoms like loss of appetite, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss - this should be discussed with a doctor urgently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults aged 45-75 years be screened for colorectal cancer. Your doctor may recommend earlier testing if you are at higher risk. Results from this initial test will determine how often you should be rescreened. Evidence shows you can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer by eating a high-fiber diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and avoiding processed foods. You should avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake to lower risk, and keep fit and maintain a healthy weight.

The bladder is the pouch that stores urine before you pee it out. Cancer cells can grow in the inner lining of the bladder and spread to involve the muscle walls and other structures. Bladder cancer is relatively common in the US, affecting older adults and men more than women. It’s usually surgically treated, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alongside, depending on both the tumor and the health of the person it affects. But both the cancer and effects of treatment can have a lasting impact on someone’s quality of life and emotional well-being.

Kidney cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the US. Known medically as renal cancer, it is more common in men than women, and it’s rare in people under the age of 50. There are several different types of kidney cancer but the commonest type is known as renal cell cancer. Others include transitional cell cancer, Wilm’s tumors, and clear cell sarcomas that only occur in children. You have two kidneys, one on either side of your tummy (your flanks) and one slightly to the back. Their job is critical in keeping us alive - they balance up the salts (sodium, potassium, and chloride) in our blood and excrete out any excess in urine. They filter out toxins in the urine and balance out fluids by making the urine more concentrated or more watery, depending on what we need. Signs that might alert you to a kidney problem are blood in the urine or a lump in one of your flanks. It’s confirmed with blood tests, urine tests, and scans.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US, and sadly, it often has a poor outlook. Cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung tissue. This can cause a blockage in the airways or fluid on the lungs, making breathing difficult, and ultimately it can spread to other organs and cause widespread damage and threat to life. Smoking is the cause of most lung cancers – because smoking is so common, this makes lung cancer very common. Older people are more likely to be affected, and men more often than women. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called primary lung cancer. Cancer spreading from another organ via the blood to the lungs is known as secondary lung cancer or metastatic cancer. Breast and bowel cancer often metastasize to the lungs unless they are diagnosed and treated early.

Melanoma (also known as malignant melanoma) is the most serious type of skin cancer caused by sun exposure. It's serious because the cancer can spread to other organs in the body, so it needs prompt identification and treatment. You can take steps to prevent it, but also keep a watch for any moles or other skin marks that are new, changing or don't look like your other moles. Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer in the US, with almost 100,000 new cases each year. The number of cases has doubled in the last 30 years, and it can occur at any age.

A mole is usually a mid- or dark-brown flat mark (a junctional nevus), or a dome-shaped brown or flesh-colored bump (a dermal nevus). It should be neither itchy nor bothersome. You may have numerous moles, and they may run in your family. They may have been present for as long as you can remember, or since birth, although new moles can appear throughout childhood and even into your 20s, especially after recent sun exposure. People with certain skin types, such as those with pale skin, blue eyes, and red or blond hair, and who are likely to easily sunburn, are likely to be more at risk of concerning changes to moles.