Cancer

Cancer

Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. Normal body cells grow, divide, and die. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells. Cancer cells can also invade (grow into) other tissues, something that normal cells cannot do. Some known causes of cancer include genetic factors; lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, diet, and physical activity; certain types of infections; and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States, second only to heart disease. The term screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease like cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. Screening is effective in identifying some types of cancers, including:

  • Cervical cancer (using Pap smears)
  • Colorectal cancer (using fecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy)
  • Breast cancer (using mammography)

Key

  At or better than the Healthy People 2020 goal
  Near the Healthy People 2020 goal
  Room for Improvement
qua_award   Ribbon = best possible value

 

Additional information is available by mousing over the links highlighted in blue.

NuHealth Ambulatory Services January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015
  Ambulatory Quality Measures
NUMC Clinics
LIFQHC
Healthy People 2020 Goal
Cancer Screening
Increase the proportion of women who receive a cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer is a cancer that develops in the cells lining the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). A pap smear is a screening test that samples cervical cells to check for abnormalities. Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and prevents any early cervical cell changes from becoming cancerous.

  Cervical cancer screening
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Increase the proportion of woman who receive a breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancer) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. A screening mammogram is used to look for breast disease in women who do not seem to have breast problems. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances that treatment will work.

  Breast cancer screening
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