Cancer isn't just one disease. It is a large and complex family of malignancies that can affect virtually every organ in the body. Cancer is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. Over 1.2 million new cases are diagnosed every year, with half of them occurring in the lung, prostate, breast, colon, and rectum. Cancer can strike at any age, although it is most common in people over 50.

The good news is that cancer death rates have been declining in recent years. Increasing public awareness has resulted in more people getting regular cancer screenings and practicing healthy lifestyles to reduce their risk.

There is a plethora of informational resources available to consumers and professionals on cancer: different types, treatment options, preventive care, etc. Below is a sampling of sites we hope you'll find helpful.

Links to information on cancer:

• Michigan Cancer Consortium offers free booklet "Making the Choice: Deciding What to Do About Early Stage Prostate Cancer", available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Also download The Prostate Health Awareness program information to help educate men about prostate health and encourage them to talk with their health care professional about their relative risk.
• Michigan Department of Community Health. Cancer statistics and educational materials as well as the Governor's Task Force Report on Cervical Cancer.
• The West Michigan Cancer Center
• National Cancer Institute
• Centers for Disease Control, Cancer A to Z
• Peoples-Health.com is a complete health information guide on cancer diseases. Know here about several cancer types, causes, symptoms, and treatment options for each type.
• University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Prevention. An online magazine, which includes recent articles in cancer.
• World Health Organization, Cancer Pain Release
• About.com, Cancer
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute