 Our bodies are made of cells, which grow, work, reproduce and die  Genes on the DNA control when cells grow, work, reproduce and die  Normally, cells obey these instructions  Occasionally, these instructions get mixed up, and cells will divide unnecessarily  Some of these cells can form lumps or tumours, or even spread throughout the body

 A mix up in the instructions or a mutation in a piece of DNA that controls the cell cycle, could develop into cancer  Because you have two copies of theses instructions (from your mom and dad), it often takes a couple of mutations for cancer to start  As mutations accumulate, there is less and less control on the cell cycle

Theses are referred to as Carcinogenic or cancer causing: Ultraviolet light Cosmic Rays X Rays Chemicals (eg. Eg. Benzo-a-pyrene - found in coal tar - found in cigarette smoke - found in overcooked meats)

 Once a cell starts to divide uncontrollably and forms a mass, this mass of cells is called a tumour  Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).  Benign tumour cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually life-threatening.  Malignant tumour cells are able to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.  Cancer cells that spread to other parts of the body are called metastases.

 Lung cancer starts in the cells of the lung Causes  Smoking tobacco is the main cause  exposure to asbestos  exposure to radon gas  having had lung cancer before  family history of lung cancer  air pollution

 Most colorectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the colon or the rectum. Risk Factors  age – particularly after 50  alcohol consumption  smoking  physical inactivity  obesity  high-fat diet – may be missing out on important vitamins, fibre and antioxidants (natural cancer fighting compounds)

 Caused by Ultaviolet radiation (UVA and UVB rays)  UVA rays penetrate the layers of the skin more deeply compared to UVB rays but both can be damaging to the skin  UVB rays cause the burning Sensation while UVA rays age your skin

 Most cancers take years to develop so they are detected later in life  To reduce your risk:  Quit soking  Protect your skin from the sun  Do self-examination for early detection as in breast cancer  Exercise regularily  Eat plenty of fruits and veggies

 Moles – an early indicator of cancer

 Diagnostic techniques  X-rays – useful in detecting cancers that form in some internal body parts  Mammogram – type of x-ray used to detect breat cancer

 Confirming Cancer – doing a biopsy  A biopsy is a surgery where a small portion of the suspected tumour is removed and the cells are compared to normal cells of that area.

 Radiation Therapy – ionizing radiation is used to kill the cells of the cancer  Chemotherapy – uses chemicals to stop cancer cells from dividing  Surgery – remove the tumour from the body

Artificial Sweeteners?  No conclusive evidence Fluoridated Water  No association found/no increased risk Heterocyclic amines in cooked meat  Increase in cancer risk

Abortions  No increased risk found Oral Contraceptives  Reduced risk of ovarian cancer, increased risk of breast, liver and cervical cancers Breast Implants  No association found

Cell Phones  No conclusive evidence found, but research is recommended to continue Antiperspirants/Deodorants  No evidence of link to breast cancer (conflicting evidence) Microwave Ovens  No evidence of link to cancer

Cigarette Smoke  Duh! Second Hand Smoke  Direct link. Over 60 carcinogens found in second hand smoke Third Hand Smoke (cigarette smoke residues found on furniture/carpets etc)  Emerging evidence is suggesting a health risk, which may include cancer