Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, which is characterized by increasing shortness of breath. COPD affects an estimated 32 million Americans, which makes it the third leading cause of death in this country.

For many women with breast cancer, the road to recovery is never over. It’s estimated that 155,000 people in the United States are living with metastatic breast cancer, which means that their breast cancer has spread from their chest to another area in their body. Unfortunately, unlike some other types of breast cancer, the survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is typically around three years. In a culture that’s intensely focused on survival and treatment, it’s important to understand what happens to our bodies in the more advanced stages of breast cancer. That way, even if we aren’t the ones who have been diagnosed, we can more effectively support those that have.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is uncommon in most healthy adults, but as we get older it can be harder for our bodies to absorb, so we become deficient. This deficiency is often spotted in adults who drink heavily, have recently had gastric bypass surgery, or have been using acid-reducing medication for a long period of time. This simple vitamin deficiency can have troubling symptoms and even more serious consequences.

Prostate cancer is a disease that can affect all men, and African Americans are currently the biggest sufferers. If you take the time to improve your general understanding of prostate cancer, you won’t have to suffer needlessly because greater awareness can lead to an early detection of the problem.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. As these white blood cells multiply, they leave little room for healthy cells. They can also damage the bone marrow, develop into growths or destroy the bones. Multiple myeloma is not a common cancer – the lifetime risk is about 1 in 143, according to Cancer.Net. There is no cure for multiple myeloma. Early detection can help you seek treatment to manage the disease and avoid any harmful side effects of the condition, such as kidney failure, bone fractures, numbness, weakness, paralysis, and infections.

Someone in the United States is diagnosed with leukemia every three minutes. Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. In most cases, the disease affects the white blood cells, leaving you vulnerable to infections. There are several types of leukemia, and the disease can affect children and adults. Most types of leukemia have a high five-year survival rate compared to other forms of cancer. Early diagnosis is the best way to increase your chances of fighting leukemia, so you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.