Here are the 9 most common types of cancer

Screenings, Early Detection Important In Prostate Cancer Treatment

It's a mention in a newscast, a headline in a newspaper, an entry on a prayer list, and then, perhaps, forgotten. Except by the sufferer and his family.

At the beginning of 2023, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced he had prostate cancer. A check-in with his staff just before Christmas had positive news. "I am happy to say Sen. Casey is doing well," said spokeswoman Natalie Adams.

In early December, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., announced he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, too. He's said he's feeling well, and is tackling the situation head on.

Just how prevalent is prostate cancer?

Dr. Hasan Rizvi, oncologist / hematologist, UAHS and Roswell Park Cancer Institute physician, answered some questions on the topic.

"Prostate cancer is very common and 1.6 million men worldwide get diagnosed with prostate cancer, annually," he said. "In the United States, 11% of men will get prostate cancer and the risk of developing it increases with age. Around 366,000 deaths worldwide are attributed to prostate cancer."

As with several forms of the insidious disease, there are no obvious signs that say something is wrong.

Rizvi explained, "There are no warning signs of prostate cancer, but it's important to understand the risk factors for developing cancer. It's encouraged to get screened early to avoid the cancer developing into metastatic prostate cancer."

There are screenings, including a blood test for a prostate specific antigen.

"The earlier it is caught, the better the chances of survival," the doctor said. "If caught early, prostate cancer has a 100% survival rate but if not detected early and the cancer spreads, the five-year survival rate drops to 31%."

Are there risk factors, or preventive measures men should take?

"It's always recommended to live a healthy lifestyle such as a healthy diet and physical activity," Rizvi said. However, he added, "Studies have shown that there are two genetic factors that play a role in the occurrences of an individual developing prostate cancer. One is that if a female in the individual's family had ovarian or breast cancer at an early age, then the individual could develop prostate cancer.

"They should get tested for the BRCA gene as early as the age of 40 to see if their risk is higher for developing prostate cancer," he explained. "Another factor which is at greater risk of developing prostate cancer if they been identified to have Lynch syndrome."

Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that is a genetic predisposition to different cancer types, passed from parents to children.

As for treatment, Rizvi said, "The treatment of prostate cancer is different for everyone and should be a discussion with the individual and their physician as to what route to take as well as evaluate what stage the cancer is. Some treatments include surgery, radiation medicine, hormone therapy or chemotherapy."

6 Early Signs You Might Be Pregnant

Many people go for a long time wondering "Could I be pregnant?", after even small changes in their body. If you have experienced this yourself, you are not alone. Thousands of women undergo these hopes and doubts every year, and it can be a relief to get answers when you have none.

Below, we will explore six of the early signs you might be pregnant. If you experience any of them, look into at-home tests or book an appointment with a specialist. So, read on and get the information you need to guide your next steps.

1. Missed Period

This is often the earliest sign of pregnancy. It often becomes a source of worry, prompting people to seek healthcare support. In the case of women with a more regular cycle, this can be even more troublesome. Some people may even hear about other reasons someone may miss their period and attribute it to that.

Why it is easy to miss

Many women experience various stresses in their lives. From busy careers to missing sleep, it is possible to not realize that you have not experienced a period. In some cases, such stress may even cause people to miss a period or be a few days late.

While many women use sleep-tracking methods such as apps or diaries, these are not universal solutions. If you do remember you have missed your period, make sure to perform your due diligence and confirm whether you are pregnant or not.

2. Spotting or light bleeding

Early in pregnancy, light bleeding, or "spotting", from the vagina is common. This will be lighter than a regular period and continue for a shorter time. It is due to the egg implanting into the uterine lining.

If this occurs at the same time as abdominal pain, it is sensible to discuss it with a healthcare provider. In many other cases, though, there is no need to worry unless it continues for a long time.

Differences from regular periods

If you have not had your period, seeing blood may initially be a relief. You should be aware of the differences, though.

Spotting blood is different from a period in the following ways. It is:

Possibly a light pink color

Potentially a dark brown color

Only 1-2 days of blood

Lower volume than a period

Accompanying vaginal discharge

Itching or redness

Avoid missing the signs by ensuring you know how to recognize when you have had a period and when you have experienced spotting instead.

3. Abdominal pain as a pregnancy indicator

Mild pain in the gut, or cramping, can often be an early sign of pregnancy. This can feel similar to premenstrual symptoms, albeit usually milder and more specific in location.

Gastrointestinal concerns

Many women mistake these cramps for late menstrual symptoms. While they may be similar, this is not always the case. If they feel lighter than usual or are otherwise different from your usual symptoms, make sure to investigate further.

In general, if you feel such pains but have still not experienced a period, this could be another sign of pregnancy. If these pains escalate, though, seek out medical attention. They could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which often requires immediate surgery.

4. Sustained high basal body temperature

When a body starts to prepare for pregnancy, it will increase in temperature by around 0.5° Fahrenheit. If the person becomes pregnant, this increase will continue for longer. If the increase lasts eighteen days or more, you can often consider it a sign of pregnancy.

The limitations of BBT

Unless someone is attempting to get pregnant, they are rarely monitoring their temperature. It is entirely possible not to realize it has changed at all. In many cases, people even assume the raised temperatures are due to an illness instead.

5. Emotional and psychological Changes

During the first trimester, pregnancy can have a significant impact on the brain. Hormonal changes are common and can lead to very noticeable mood swings and feelings of irritability.

If you notice changes in your behavior, it may be worth discussing it with friends or loved ones. They can both confirm whether you have seemed different. If they confirm a change in your mood, they may also be able to help support you while you seek out a pregnancy test.

6. Morning sickness or ongoing tiredness

Early-morning nausea and vomiting, along with feelings of lethargy, are very common pregnancy signs. They can often vary in when they occur, as well as how strong they are. As such, do not dismiss sickness because it occurs in the evening.

If you continue to experience these symptoms, try eating smaller and more frequent meals. Also, ensure you get enough hydration, as vomiting will reduce your fluid intake.

Seeking out healthcare support

Once you recognize that you are pregnant, make sure to book an appointment with your healthcare provider or take an at-home test. These can confirm your pregnancy, though, be aware that over-the-counter tests only have around a 99% accuracy rate. If you are worried about that 1%, speak to a doctor about your situation instead.

Every pregnancy is different, and you may need a little extra help. As such, remember that there are also several resources available for those who are either pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Make sure to research your situation to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy during the pregnancy.

Don't ignore the early signs you might be pregnant

Pregnancy scares can be difficult, but there is some comfort in the fact people all across the country share them. If you think you are experiencing the early signs you might be pregnant, it would be a good idea to seek out a professional.

3 Early Signs Of A Good Relationship, According To A Therapist

You should feel comfortable around your new partner, even if they point out you got some of your dinner stuck in your teeth.MilosStankovic/Getty Images

New relationships can feel exciting and scary, making it hard to tell if you're on the right track.

Focus on how you feel around your partner, therapist Patrcie Le Goy said.

Le Goy shared three ways to tell if your new relationship is healthy and built to last.

The first few days, weeks, and months of dating someone new can feel equal parts exciting and scary. And with the added rush of feel-good hormones during this time, it can seem nearly impossible to demystify your true compatibility for the long term.

Though different singles look for different things when it comes to finding a long-term partner, there are a few universal signs that a new relationship is healthy and sustainable, Patrice Le Goy, a marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles, told Business Insider.

According to Le Goy, focusing on how you feel around that person can be a helpful strategy, since fixating on specific behavior — like how many texts you send each other or where you go on your first few dates — could cause someone to get too into their head about their relationship health.

She shared three simple signs for gauging whether a simmering romance could progress into healthy, long-term commitment.

You don't second-guess acting like yourself

Often, pop culture portrayals of love can make it seem like the beginnings of a relationship should be riddled with uncertainty — over how you should act, what you should and shouldn't share, and what you should expect of your new lover.

Really, the opposite is true, according to Le Goy.

"I think tension is overrated. You want to feel comfortable, happy, and excited to be with this person. You should feel safe, not wonder what's coming next," Le Goy said.

She said that one clear sign that your early relationship is healthy is that you feel like you can act like yourself whenever you're interacting with this person, whether it's to share a vulnerable moment, showcase your sense of humor, or mingle with each other's loved ones.

If, on the other hand, you find yourself regularly questioning whether your words or actions are "right" around your partner, it could mean you don't feel comfortable around them, Le Goy said. She added that if your loved ones make positive observations about your connection, saying you look happy together or something similar, that's a good indicator of a healthy start.

You both take responsibility for hurt feelings and mistakes

While relationships should have little tension, it's normal to have arguments or miscommunications even with a new partner, Le Goy told Business Insider.

She said that paying attention to how you and your partner navigate these moments is usually more indicative of your long-term compatibility than the substance of the arguments.

If you both show a desire to talk through how and why a conflict happened, and you can do so without belittling each other through yelling, name-calling, or stonewalling, that shows you have mutual respect, Le Goy said.

You support each other's individual lives and interests

As two people become closer, it's normal to spend more time together and lean into mutual interests. In a healthy relationship, partners also make space for each other's differing hobbies, friend circles, and self-care needs, according to Le Goy.

If you and your partner can talk about each other's expectations for how much time you spend together and how much time you spend on your own, and come up with compromises where you both feel comfortable, that's another sign you're off to a good start, Le Goy said.

She added that partners should be supportive of each other's individual pursuits, rather than viewing time apart as a sign of relationship insecurity.

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