How can cancer be prevented? How is cancer treated? How are cancer cells different from normal cells? What causes cancer? How does this happen? What is cancer?

Uncontrolled cell growth that prevents healthy tissue from functioning correctly What is cancer? Mutations of genes that control cell division and of genes that correct DNA replication errors p53 protein What causes cancer? UV light, viruses, tobacco products, pollutants, radiation exposure, genetics What causes these mutations?

Normal Cells Require external growth factors to divide Contact with other cells stops cell division Age and die after a limited amount of times (usually 50) Cancer Cells Divide whether or not growth factors are present Cells continue to grow after touching other cells Cells divide infinitely

Surgery for solid tumors Radiation kills cancer cells with high-energy rays that damage DNA to prevent replication – can also kill normal cells Chemotherapy drugs are toxic compounds that target rapidly growing cells by severely damaging DNA How is cancer treated?

Minimizing exposure to tobacco products, sunlight, and pollution Eating a diet with large amounts of colorful fruits and vegetables Vaccinations (Hepatitis B, human papillomavirus) How can cancer be prevented?