Cancer

What is Cancer?

Cancer happens when cells in your body begin to grow out of control and spread to other areas. Normal cells grow, divide, and die in an organized way. Cancer cells keep growing and dividing, creating tumors or affecting blood and lymph systems.

There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Each type behaves differently and affects the body in unique ways. Some cancers grow slowly over many years. Others grow and spread quickly. The most common types include breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and skin cancer.

Finding cancer early often makes treatment more effective. Many cancers have no symptoms in their early stages. That makes regular screening and blood testing important for catching problems before they become serious. Understanding your risk factors and monitoring key health markers can help you and your doctor stay ahead of potential issues.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST/SGOT)

Reveal liver health issues effortlessly
Detect potential liver damage early
Clarify unexplained fatigue causes

^$31

Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (includes eGFR)

Reveal underlying health conditions effortlessly
Pinpoint the cause of chronic fatigue
Assess your cardiovascular health comprehensively

^$39

Inflammation Test

Checks for swelling or irritation in body
Shows if your body has inflammation
Detects possible hidden infections or injuries

^$42

Symptoms

Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more
Fever that comes and goes without clear cause
Extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest
Pain that persists or worsens over time
Skin changes including darkening, yellowing, redness, or sores that do not heal
Changes in bowel or bladder habits lasting more than a few days
Sores that do not heal after several weeks
White patches inside the mouth or on the tongue
Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or other body parts
Persistent cough or hoarseness lasting weeks
Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion

Many people with early-stage cancer have no symptoms at all. Some cancers develop silently for years before causing noticeable problems. This is why screening and preventive testing matter even when you feel healthy.

Causes and risk factors

Cancer develops when genetic changes allow cells to ignore normal growth signals. These changes can happen because of inherited genes, environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, or random cell mutations. Tobacco use causes about 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking damages DNA and increases risk for lung, throat, mouth, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and other cancers. Exposure to toxic metals like cadmium and arsenic from cigarette smoke, contaminated water, or industrial work also raises cancer risk over time.

Diet and lifestyle play major roles in cancer development. Eating processed meats, drinking alcohol, having obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle all increase risk. Chronic inflammation in the body creates an environment where cancer cells can thrive. Sun exposure without protection damages skin cells and leads to melanoma and other skin cancers. Some viruses and bacteria, including HPV and H. pylori, can trigger cancers. Family history matters too. Inherited gene mutations account for 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.

How it's diagnosed

Doctors diagnose cancer through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, and biopsies. A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue so a lab can check for cancer cells. Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans help locate tumors and see if cancer has spread. Blood tests cannot diagnose most cancers directly, but they can reveal important warning signs.

Rite Aid offers blood tests that measure inflammation markers and other factors linked to cancer risk. Tests like C-Reactive Protein and sedimentation rate detect inflammation that may signal an underlying problem. We also test for toxic metal exposure including cadmium and arsenic, which are linked to several cancer types. Folate levels, immune markers, and other biomarkers help paint a picture of your body's environment. These tests work best as part of regular health monitoring. If results show concerns, your doctor can order more specific cancer screening tests.

Treatment options

Surgery to remove tumors and affected tissue
Radiation therapy that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy drugs that target fast-growing cells throughout the body
Immunotherapy that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells
Targeted therapy drugs that block specific molecules cancer cells need to grow
Hormone therapy for cancers that grow in response to hormones like breast and prostate cancer
Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins
Maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity
Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men
Protecting skin from sun damage with sunscreen and protective clothing
Getting recommended cancer screenings based on your age and risk factors

Frequently asked questions

Blood tests cannot diagnose most cancers directly. However, they can detect inflammation markers, toxic metal exposure, and other factors that may indicate increased cancer risk. Tests like C-Reactive Protein and sedimentation rate help identify chronic inflammation in your body. Your doctor uses these results along with other screening tools to assess your overall risk and determine if more specific cancer tests are needed.

Early cancer often causes no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they may include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, changes in bowel or bladder habits, or sores that do not heal. Many of these symptoms are vague and can be caused by other conditions. This is why regular screening matters even when you feel healthy. Early detection through screening and blood testing gives you the best chance for successful treatment.

Most adults should monitor key health markers at least once or twice per year. Testing inflammation markers, toxic metal exposure, and immune function helps identify problems before they become serious. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing if you have risk factors like smoking, family history of cancer, or previous abnormal results. Regular monitoring lets you track changes over time and catch potential issues early.

Quitting smoking is the single most important step you can take. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise reduces risk for many cancer types. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting processed meats and alcohol. Protect your skin from sun damage and get recommended cancer screenings based on your age. Small changes add up to make a big difference in your long-term cancer risk.

Chronic inflammation creates an environment where cancer cells can grow and spread more easily. When inflammation persists for months or years, it damages DNA in healthy cells. This damage can lead to mutations that turn normal cells into cancer cells. Inflammation also weakens your immune system's ability to find and destroy abnormal cells. Reducing inflammation through diet, exercise, and stress management helps protect against cancer.

Toxic metals damage your DNA and interfere with normal cell repair processes. Cadmium builds up in your body over time from cigarette smoke, contaminated food and water, or workplace exposure. Long-term exposure is linked to lung, prostate, and kidney cancers. Testing your blood levels helps identify if you have concerning exposure. Avoiding tobacco and reducing other sources of toxic metals lowers your risk.

Having a family member with cancer increases your risk, but it does not mean you will definitely develop cancer. Only 5 to 10 percent of cancers are caused by inherited gene mutations. Most cancers result from a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. If cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about genetic testing and more frequent screening. Early detection and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk significantly.

An elevated sedimentation rate shows that inflammation is present in your body. Certain cancers cause this marker to rise, but many other conditions do too. An elevated result does not mean you have cancer. It tells your doctor that something is causing inflammation and more investigation may be needed. Your doctor will look at this result along with other symptoms and tests to determine the cause.

Diet plays a significant role in cancer prevention, though no food or diet can guarantee you will never get cancer. Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provides nutrients and antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Limiting processed meats, red meat, and alcohol reduces exposure to cancer-causing compounds. Maintaining a healthy weight through good nutrition lowers inflammation and hormone levels linked to cancer. Healthy eating is one of the most powerful tools for reducing your risk.

See a doctor if you have symptoms that persist for more than a few weeks or get worse over time. This includes unexplained weight loss, ongoing pain, fatigue that does not improve, or any unusual lumps or changes in your body. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. Also talk to your doctor about cancer screening based on your age and family history. Regular checkups and blood testing help catch problems before symptoms appear.