What do you know about cancer? Cancer is ____? Cancer When cells from other people get into your body and begin to grow When bacteria get into your body and cause your cells to grow A sickness that does not involve your cells The uncontrolled growth of your own cells

What kinds of cells can become cancerous? Any type of cell can become cancerous A few types are: Breast Brain Colon Skin Lung Ovarian Prostate Liver Cervical Leukemia Lymphoma Cancer Cell vs. Normal Cell

How cancer is formed? Cancerous cells divide repeatedly out of control, Millions of new cancer cells grow and reproduce Which form a tumor 1) Minor multiplying of cells in one area - “cancer in situ” 2) Growth of cells and recruitment of blood vessels etc. to support growth - “tumor” 3) Invasion/destruction of neighboring tissue -“malignant tumor” 4) Spread of cells to new organs - “metastasize”

Benign vs. Malignant Tumors Benign tumors are not cancer. They usually can be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Cells from benign tumors stay together. Benign tumors are not usually a threat to life. Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor and can lead to death. Cancer cells also can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream (spreads to other parts of the body). Cancer cell grow rapidly, uncontrollably.The spread of cancer to other sites or organs in the body through the blood stream is called metastasis.

Types of Malignant tumors 1) Carcinomas cover internal and external parts of the body (lung, breast, and colon cancer). 2) Sarcomas located in bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, muscles, etc… 3) Lymphomas begin in the lymph nodes and immune system tissues. 4) Leukemias begin in the bone marrow and often move into the bloodstream. 5) Adenomas begin in the thyroid, the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, and other glands.

What are some causes of cancer? Mutations (change in DNA) Heredity/Genetics (certain types of cancer) Viruses/Bacteria Radiation (UV light & too many x-rays) Toxins/chemicals/pollution (air, water , soil) Smoking, drinking of alcohol Where you live What you eat (diets high in fat have a higher incidence of cancer) Work related chemicals Can you prevent cancer? You cannot prevent cancer, but you may lessen your chances of cancer. There is NO CURE FOR CANCER!

SHOCKING!!! Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the developed world. 1 out of every 4 people in the world die from cancer There are over 100 different forms of cancer 1.6 million new cases of cancer reported in the US this year 577,000 deaths this year in the US due to cancer 1 out of 8 women get breast cancer Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer Approximately 92% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking. One bad burn in childhood doubles the risk factor for melanoma later in life.

Normal Lung vs. Cancerous Lung Smoking causes 30% of fatal cancers in the lung, mouth, trachea, esophagus, bladder, pancreas, stomach, liver, kidney, colon, rectum Passive inhalation of second-hand smoke causes as many deaths as air pollution An American man’s lifetime risk of developing lung cancer is 1 in 13; for a woman the risk is 1 in 16. 3D Medical Animation - What is Cancer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEpTTolebqo

Skin Cancers Irregular skin marks can be cancerous See a doctor. KNOW YOUR BODY Irregular Moles should be checked by a doctor if: Asymmetrical Irregular border Dark color of color change Size (1/2 inch)

Cancer Prevention Stay out of the sun- use sunscreen No smoking Limit alcohol consumption Have preventive vaccines (HPV) Eat healthy – eat foods high in antioxidants Exercise Get plenty of sleep

Treating Cancer - Oncology “Watchful waiting” - appropriate for many cancer in situs (begnign) ex: prostate cancer, some skin cancer. Many never become serious. Surgery - surgically removing the cancer from the body, can cure isolated tumors. Chemotherapy - Uses chemicals that interfere with the cell division process so that cancer cells will commit suicide - also kills healthy cells Radiation - focuses high-energy rays on the cancer cells. This causes damage to the cancer cells and leads them to commit suicide. Vaccines - experimental therapy to get immune system to fight cancer.