Cancer Awareness Month: What Every Family Should Know
September is a time to raise awareness about several types of cancer, including ovarian, prostate, thyroid, and blood cancers. It is also an opportunity to learn more about genetic cancer risks. While each type of cancer is different, they share an important message that knowing your risk, paying attention to changes in your health, and keeping up with recommended preventive care can make a difference.
At Bay Area Community Health, we believe that understanding your health and getting the right care at the right time can help you take an active role in your health.
In 2026, more than 2.1 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). At the same time, however, cancer survival continues to improve as prevention, screening, early detection, and treatment advance. These efforts help more people live longer lives after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
"Taking care of your health starts with being informed. Regular checkups and conversations with your healthcare provider can help identify potential concerns early and ensure you receive the care and support you need,” says Gemma Jamena, MD, Clinical Director
One way you can stay connected to your health is by going for regular checkups. These give you an opportunity to talk with your healthcare provider about your family history, ask questions, discuss changes in your health, and learn whether you may benefit from any additional screening or genetic counseling.
Some cancers can be linked to inherited genetic changes that are passed down through families. If several family members have had cancer, especially at younger ages, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help determine whether genetic counseling or additional screening may be appropriate for you.
By knowing your family history, your provider is better able to understand whether you have a higher risk for certain cancers. These cancers include breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
This month in particular, we’re highlighting a few cancers and symptoms you should be aware of. We want to emphasis that having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer and can be caused by other health conditions. However, if something is new, unusual, or does not go away, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider.
Ovarian Cancer
Although there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer, it is important to listen to your body and pay close attention to changes that are new or unusual for you. Ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect because some symptoms may seem like common stomach or digestive problems at first. Symptoms can include:
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Feeling full quickly when eating
Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Other symptoms may include:
Pain during sex
Lower back pain or discomfort
Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual
Changes in your menstrual cycle, including increased bleeding or unusual discharge
Upset stomach, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, or other changes in bowel habits
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, excluding skin cancers. We often see that the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, and Black men have a higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer than men of other racial and ethnic groups. Although most prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause problems for many years, others can grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
In its early stages, prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms. In fact, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer have no symptoms, according to Harvard Health. Doctors suspect prostate cancer if a blood test shows high levels of prostate-specific antigen. However, if the cancer spreads to the bladder or presses on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, it can cause:
a weak urine stream
a need to urinate often
an intense need to urinate
an inability to urinate
pain or burning when you urinate
blood in your urine or semen
erections that are less firm
a drop in the amount of semen ejaculated
pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Despite there not being one screening schedule that is right for everyone, we still encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about whether prostate cancer screening may be right for you based on your age, family history, and other risk factors.
Blood Cancers
September is also Blood Cancer Awareness Month. These include cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Some symptoms can also be easily overlooked or may be mistaken for other health problems. Possible symptoms include:
Unexplained or ongoing fatigue
Frequent infections
Easy bruising or bleeding
Swollen lymph nodes
Unexplained weight loss
Night sweats
Thyroid Cancer
The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that helps regulate important functions in your body. Thyroid cancer is diagnosed nearly three times more often in women than in men, with possible signs being:
A lump or swelling in the neck
Hoarseness or changes in your voice
Trouble swallowing
Persistent neck pain
We want to remind you again that these symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean you have cancer. However, the important thing is to pay attention to changes in your health and talk with your healthcare provider when something does not feel right.
At Bay Area Community Health, we encourage you to take a few minutes for your health this September. Schedule your annual wellness visit, learn about your family’s health history, and talk with your healthcare provider about which cancer screenings may be right for you.
Regular access to primary care is the single most vital step toward early detection and long-term wellness. YOUR HEALTH starts with YOU. We are here to help you understand your health, answer your questions, and connect you with preventive care and screenings.
To learn more about services at Bay Area Community Health, schedule an appointment online or call 510-770-8040 or 408-729-9700 to find a clinic near you.