Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.
Types of Cancer
There are more than 100 types of cancer. Types of cancer are usually named for the organs or tissues where the cancers form. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and brain cancer starts in the brain. Cancers also may be described by the type of cell that formed them, such as an epithelial cell or a squamous cell.
Symptoms
Cancer symptoms depend on the type of cancer. For example, some of the symptoms that cancer may cause can include:
- A lump in your breast
- Blood in your urine or stool
- Bleeding or bruising for no known reason
- A sore that doesn't heal
- Trouble swallowing
- A new mole or a change to a mole you already have
Cancer may cause various symptoms but often doesn't cause pain. Don't wait until you're having pain before seeing your health care provider. See your provider if you have symptoms that don't get better in a few weeks.
Diagnosis
There is no single test that can diagnose cancer. The tests ordered are usually based on your symptoms. Your provider may:
- Ask about your medical history
- Ask about your family health history, including relatives who have had cancer
- Do a physical exam
- Do a screening test such as a mammogram, colonoscopy, or a Pap test
- Order blood tests or imaging tests
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Most treatment plans may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Some may involve hormone therapy, immunotherapy or other types of biological therapy, or stem cell transplantation.
Cancer Prevention
It's usually not possible to know exactly why cancer develops in some people but not others. There are some things that you can't control which may increase or decrease your risk of getting cancer, such as inheriting certain genes or your age. But some lifestyle habits may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Avoid or reduce lifestyle habits such as:
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Having too much sun exposure
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Having obesity
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. The effects begin soon after you stop smoking, though they are impacted by how long you have been a smoker before quitting.
The effects of quitting smoking include:
- Reduced heart rate
- Improved blood flow to your heart
- Lower risk of heart attack
- Lower risk of coronary heart disease
TRICARE East offers a free program called Commit to Quit, that provides free tobacco and vaping quit. You can reach a nicotine cessation specialist at 877-414-9949 or visit Commit to Quit | TRICARE for more information.
Resources
Cancer: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Living With a Chronic Illness–Reaching Out to Others
Dealing with chronic cancer: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Beneficiary Care Management Resource Guide
TRICARE East Commit to Quit - 877-414-9949
Community Resource Directory - Humana Community Navigator by findhelp
Last Updated 9/12/2025