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Your cancer treatment may involve several types of healthcare professionals who, with you, form your cancer care team.

Scientists believe bone spurs happen because of osteoarthritis or when the body tries to heal itself after a trauma by replacing bone.

Imaging—X-rays, CT scans, MRIs—is used to find tumors and other abnormalities, to determine the extent of disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Learn about the different imaging tests used in cancer diagnostics.

To boost your calories, add butter or margarine to puddings, casseroles, sandwiches, vegetables, cooked cereal, breads, and pasta. Add wheat germ to hot cereals, meat dishes, cookie batter, and casseroles.

With some cancers, people are given hormone therapy as soon as cancer is diagnosed, before any other treatment. It may shrink a tumor, or it may halt the advance of the disease. In some cancers, such as prostate cancer, hormone therapy helps ease the painful and distressing symptoms of advanced disease.

A family medical history helps to find out if relatives have an increased chance of developing specific types of cancer, how great the risk of cancer might be, and if genetic testing might be useful.

If you have mouth problems, eat soft, soothing foods (at cold or room temperature), and puree cooked foods in the blender to make them smoother and easier to eat.

Good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment. Read on to learn more.

The first step in preparing for your cancer treatment is to find an oncologist and treatment center. Ask your general or primary healthcare provider for a referral or contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state's health department, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Medical Association, for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area.