Ask the CIS : Cancer Information Service : March 2007
"Ask the CIS" is a short, easy-to-read cancer column providing answers to cancer related questions. The column is based on the latest cancer information from the National Cancer Institute. The Cancer Information Service of the Mid-South produces four columns, in question-and-answer format, monthly.
Q: What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
A: The kidneys are a pair of organs on either side of the spine in the lower abdomen. When cancer forms in the tissues of the kidney, it can sometimes cause symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine (making the urine slightly rusty to deep red)
- Pain in the side that does not go away
- A lump or mass in the side or the abdomen
- A fever that does not go away
Most often, these symptoms do not mean cancer. An infection, a kidney cyst, or another problem could also cause these symptoms. A person with any of these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
For more information about kidney cancer, call the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER. You can also find information about kidney cancer on the NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/kidney.
Q: I was recently diagnosed with cancer, and my doctor suggested a support group. How could it help me?
A: Many people find support groups very helpful. In these groups, patients or their family members meet with other patients or their families to share what they have learned about coping with the disease and the effects of treatment. Groups may offer support in person, over the telephone, or on the Internet.
People in support groups often:
- Talk about what it’s like to have cancer
- Help each other feel better, more hopeful, and less alone
- Learn about what’s new in cancer treatment
- Share tips about ways to cope with cancer
For more information about support groups, call the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER. You can ask for a free copy of the NCI booklet “Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer.” You can also find it at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/takingtime on the NCI Web site.
Q: What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
A: The lungs, a pair of cone-shaped organs, are part of the respiratory system. When cancer forms in the tissues of the lung, it can sometimes cause symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- A cough that gets worse or does not go away
- Breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Constant chest pain
- Frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia
Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer. Infections and other problems can cause some of these symptoms. Anyone with such symptoms should see a doctor to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
For more information about lung cancer, call the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER. You can also find information about lung cancer on the NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung.
Q: What are the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial?
A: A clinical trial is a type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. The benefits of taking part in a clinical trial include:
- People can get new drugs or procedures that are often not available outside the clinical trial.
- The approach being studied may work better than standard care.
- People get regular and careful medical attention from a team of health professionals.
- Results from the study may help other people.
The possible risks of taking part in a clinical trial include:
- New drugs or procedures are not always better than standard care.
- New treatments may have side effects or risks that are worse than standard care.
- Health insurance may not cover all patient care costs in a study.
- People in a clinical trial may have more checkups with the health care team.
For more information about clinical trials, call the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER. You can ask for NCI pamphlets and fact sheets. You can also learn about clinical trials on the NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning.
The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) is one of the country’s most trusted resources. Ask the CIS is distributed by the (region) CIS, which serves (list states). Call the CIS toll-free at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
