Understanding Cancer and Related Topics Understanding Cancer Developed by: Lewis J. Kleinsmith, Ph.D. Donna Kerrigan, M.S. Jeanne Kelly Brian Hollen Illustrates what cancer is explains the link between genes and cancer discusses what is known about the causes, detection, and diagnosis of the disease.

Decide with your partner

Cancer Detection and Diagnosis

Early Cancer May Not Have Any Symptoms

Think – Pair - Share What are some examples of early detection screenings?

Cervical Cancer Screening Abnormal Pap smear Normal Pap smear

Breast Cancer Screening

Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Screening

Colon Cancer Screening

Think – Pair - Share If a screening test shows an abnormality, how does the doctor confirm/deny Cancer?

Biopsy Patient’s tissue sample or blood sample Genomic profile Proteomic profile Pathology

Microscopic Appearance of Cancer Cells

Normal vs. Cancerous Limited # of cell divisions Contact inhibition distinct shapes common to that particular cell type require specific nutrients Have the normal set of chromosomes Can divide indefinitely No contact inhibition undergo morphological changes and will exhibit various shapes can grow under less stringent conditions often have an abnormal number of chromosomes and the chromosomes often have an abnormal structure

Hyperplasia Normal

Dysplasia HyperplasiaMild dysplasiaNormal

Think – Pair – Share What could be an example of mild dysplasia?

Carcinoma in Situ Mild dysplasia Carcinoma in situ (severe dysplasia) Cancer (invasive) NormalHyperplasia

Tumor Grading General Relationship Between Tumor Grade and Prognosis Patient Survival Rate Years High grade Low grade 100% 12345

Tumor Staging Five-Year Survival Rates for Patients with Melanoma (by stage) Stage at Time of Initial Diagnosis 100% 50% IIIIII

Cats: Explain to your rabbit what a Stage 3 Cancer diagnosis means.

Rabbits: Explain to your cat why early detection is critical (according to cancer stage information)