Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer refers to cancer which forms within the gastrointestinal tract, somewhere in the esophagus, stomach, liver, biliary system, pancreas, bowels, or anus. Several risk factors for developing gastrointestinal cancer have been identified. The frequency of gastrointestinal tumors increases with each decade of life and these tumors occur somewhat more frequently in men than in women. Persons of Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and African American descent have a statistically higher chance of developing the cancer compared to non-Hispanic white Americans. Additionally, eating smoked, salted or pickled foods may lead to an increased risk, whereas eating fresh fruits and vegetables lowers the risk. Also, as with several other cancers, cigarette smokers tend to have increased rates of stomach cancers.

Head and Neck Cancer

Most head and neck cancers begin in the mucous linings in the head and neck, such as the sinuses, mouth and larynx. Symptoms of such a cancer usually include a lump or sore that does not heal, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a change of hoarseness in the voice. As many as 90 percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged exposure to specific factors including tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or snuff) and/or alcoholic beverages. Prolonged exposure to sunlight is linked with cancer of the lip and is also a major cause of skin cancer. There were about 40,490 new cases in 2006.