A-Med Specialty Pharmacy is dedicated to serving patients living with cancer. Our pharmacy will carefully monitor medications in order to customize each individual's needs based on the patient's health history.

Disease Overview
Cancer can be one of several cancer diseases where there is a development of abnormal cells that damages the function of the body. These cancer cells can spread throughout the body. Although cancer is often referred to as a single condition, it actually consists of more than 100 different diseases. These diseases are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer can arise in many sites and behave differently depending on its organ of origin. Breast cancer, for example, has different characteristics than lung cancer. It is important to understand that cancer originating in one body organ takes its characteristics with it even if it spreads to another part of the body. For example, metastatic breast cancer in the lungs continues to behave like breast cancer when viewed under a microscope, and it continues to look like a cancer that originated in the breast.

Causes of Cancer
Cancer can develop when a number of changes take place within cells:

1. Damage occurs to the DNA within cells.
2. Genetic Mutation caused by; hormones, viruses and chronic inflammation.
3. Genetic Mutation caused by; ultraviolet light from the sun or chemicals in the environment.
4. Rapid cell growth; cells grow and divide rapidly and cause an accumulation of cells which can be a tumor. This can be inherited or can be caused by something outside your body.
5. Lifestyle choices.
6. Genetic make-up.
7. Environment

Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer symptoms will depend on the kind and stage of the specific cancer. General symptoms of cancer that may occur are the following:

1. Fever.
2. Pain.
3. Weight Changes.
4. Fatigue.
5. Lump that can be felt under the skin.
6. Persistent cough.
7. Discomfort after eating.

Treatment of Cancer
Treatment of cancer will depend on the stage and type of cancer:

1. Surgery; removing cancer cells from the body.
2. Chemotherapy.
3. Radiation.
4. Blood stem cell transplant.
5. Biological Therapy.
6. Drug Therapy.
7. Hormone Therapy.

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research