CELL DIVISION GOING WRONG: Cancer Cancer : A group of diseases caused from a mutation in the DNA that causes the cell to divide uncontrollably.

Tumour – Uncontrolled growth that creates a rapidly growing lump Tumours may be Benign (generally does not affect surrounding cells) Malignant (interferes with cell functions or destroy other cells: cancerous).

How cancer spreads: Malignant cancer cells may break away from the original tumour and move to a different part of the body, where they can grow into new tumour. Animation Video

Carcinogens - Environmental factors that cause DNA mutations that cause cancer. Examples include: Tobacco smoke Pollution Sunlight/Tanning beds Some viruses Chemicals Xrays Poor nutrition

Smoking causes lung cancer Health Canada reports that 9 out of 10 lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

Even when tobacco is chewed it can cause cancer – mouth, throat and stomach cancer.

Radiation can cause skin cancer. Are tanning beds safer than tanning in the sun?

Poor diet and colon cancer

Factors affecting a person’s risk of getting cancer: Heredity ( breast and colon cancer) Exposure to carcinogens in the environment Lifestyle choices: exercise and food choices Question: Which factors are within your control?

DETECTING CANCER Moles/Lumps X-Rays Mammograms Biopsy

Moles – Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter (ABCD)

2. X-rays Denser tissue shows up only. ex. Bones, tumours

CT scan – multiple x-rays put together by computer to generate a 3-D image Tiny spot of lung cancer

3. Mammograms – an x-ray image of the breast

4. Biopsy – removal of living tissue for examination Irregular shape

Cancer Treatment Surgery – Physical removal of tumour, if detected early. May be painful Chemotherapy – Drugs/chemicals spread through the body to stop cancer cells from dividing. Can harm healthy cells near tumour, and can be painful/severe side effects, but very effective. Radiation therapy – Radiation damages DNA. Beams of radiation are directed at tumour. Can harm healthy cells near tumour

Homework: