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  • Cancer A-Z

    Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options.

    • Explore Cancer A-Z
    • Breast Cancer
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  • Risk, Prevention, & Screening

    You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. It’s also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early.

    • Explore Risk, Prevention, & Screening
    • Find Cancer Early
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    • What Causes Cancer?
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  • Treatment & Survivorship

    Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, we’re here to help. 

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    The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. Below are some of the resources we provide. We can also help you find other free or low-cost resources available.

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    What does it take to outsmart cancer? Research. We’ve invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

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    At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.

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  • Risk, Prevention, & Screening
  • What Causes Cancer?

Medical Treatments that Might Affect Cancer Risk

Medical tests and treatments can be an important part of getting and staying healthy. But some types of tests and treatments may actually increase a person's risk of developing cancer. Get the facts about possible links between certain medical procedures and cancer.

Cancer Treatments

Some cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may increase a person's risk of developing a different type of cancer later in life. 

  • Second Cancers
  • Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment

Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy

Here you'll find information on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how it can affect a woman's risk of getting certain cancers.

DES Exposure

Doctors prescribed DES (diethylstilbestrol) from 1938 until 1971 to help some pregnant women who had had miscarriages or premature deliveries. Get info about how DES can affect breast cancer risk.

Abortion and Breast Cancer Risk

Abortion does not appear to raise the risk of breast cancer or any other type of cancer. Learn what we know about abortion and breast cancer here.

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