Vitamin D is one of several nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. It may also play a role in reducing the risk of cancer, and several research studies are exploring this link. Cancer.Net talked with Richard Goldberg, MD, to learn more about current research on vitamin D and what people should know.

Some veterans of the U.S. armed forces may have been exposed to substances, such as ionizing radiation and Agent Orange, that are known to cause cancer. Many veterans who were exposed to these agents several decades ago are now at an age where cancer may develop. In this two-part series, read about the link between some agents and cancer, programs to help veterans, and get a list of questions to ask the doctor.

Some veterans of the U.S. armed forces were exposed to substances that were later found to cause cancer. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified these substances, such as ionizing radiation and Agent Orange, and has created programs to help veterans receive health care related to the exposure of these substances. This article discusses Agent Orange (used during the Vietnam War), veterans of recent conflicts, and questions to ask the doctor.

A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam is a diagnostic examination that uses magnetic fields to capture multiple images of the breast tissue, which are combined to create detailed, computer-generated pictures of your breasts. A breast MRI sometimes is used to diagnose and evaluate breast tumors. Under some circumstances, this test may better identify a small mass within a woman's breast than a mammogram or ultrasound, particularly for women with very dense (non-fatty) breast tissue.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take control of your health and develop a strategy that will help you reach your goals for the coming year. Here are seven tips to help you have a healthier and happier new year.

The warmer weather of summer often means more time spent outdoors in the sun. During the summer—and throughout the year—remember the importance of limiting sun exposure to prevent skin cancer. Although skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, most types of skin cancer can be prevented by reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief moments around smoke can be harmful to a person’s health. Exposure to secondhand smoke is especially unsafe for infants and children because their bodies and lungs are still developing and growing. Yet, more than half of all young children in the United States are exposed to secondhand smoke.

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a diagnostic examination used to detect blood in the feces (stool). Blood in the stool may be a sign of colorectal cancer or other problems such as polyps (growths that develop on the inner wall of the colon and rectum) or ulcers.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of computed tomography (CT) scanning because it uses a form of radiation. Recent research suggests that the use of CT scans may slightly increase cancer risk in the U.S. population. But, a person diagnosed with cancer or suspected of having cancer can safely receive a CT scan because the benefits always outweigh the risks.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is most commonly transmitted during sex and direct skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 100 different types or strains of HPV. Most men and women aren’t aware they have an HPV infection because they don’t develop any symptoms or health problems. But in some cases, certain types of HPV can cause warts (noncancerous, abnormal growths on the skin) in various parts of the body. In other cases, specific HPV types can cause precancerous lesions (areas of abnormal tissue) or cancer.