Cancer Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the developed world: Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the developed world: 1 in 4 deaths are due to cancer 1 in 4 deaths are due to cancer 1 in 17 deaths are due to lung cancer 1 in 17 deaths are due to lung cancer Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women There are over 100 different forms of cancer There are over 100 different forms of cancer

What causes cancer? The division of normal cells is precisely controlled. New cells are only formed for growth or to replace dead ones. The division of normal cells is precisely controlled. New cells are only formed for growth or to replace dead ones. Cancer arises from the mutation of a normal gene. Cancer arises from the mutation of a normal gene. Cells that are old or not functioning properly should self-destruct and be replaced by new cells. Cells that are old or not functioning properly should self-destruct and be replaced by new cells. However, cancerous cells do not self-destruct and continue to divide rapidly producing millions of new cancerous cells. However, cancerous cells do not self-destruct and continue to divide rapidly producing millions of new cancerous cells.

Cancer Cancerous cells divide repeatedly out of control even though the body does not need them. They crowd out other normal cells and function abnormally. They can destroy the correct functioning of major organs. Cancerous cells divide repeatedly out of control even though the body does not need them. They crowd out other normal cells and function abnormally. They can destroy the correct functioning of major organs.

Cancer Mutated genes that cause cancer are called oncogenes. Mutated genes that cause cancer are called oncogenes. The study of cancer is called oncology. The study of cancer is called oncology.

Cancer A factor which brings about a mutation is called a mutagen (mutagenic). A factor which brings about a mutation is called a mutagen (mutagenic). Any agent that causes cancer is called a carcinogen and is described as carcinogenic. Any agent that causes cancer is called a carcinogen and is described as carcinogenic. So some mutagens are carcinogenic. So some mutagens are carcinogenic.

Carcinogens Hereditary predisposition – Some families are more susceptible to getting certain cancers. Remember you can’t inherit cancer its just that you maybe more susceptible to getting it. Hereditary predisposition – Some families are more susceptible to getting certain cancers. Remember you can’t inherit cancer its just that you maybe more susceptible to getting it.

Carcinogens Radiation – X Rays, UV light Chemicals – tar from cigarettes Virus infection – papilloma virus can be responsible for cervical cancer.

Tumors Disorganized clumps of cancer cells Disorganized clumps of cancer cells A tumor as small as a gram can send out a million tumor cells into blood vessels a day. A tumor as small as a gram can send out a million tumor cells into blood vessels a day.

Benign or Malignant? Benign tumors are ones that cannot spread out to other places in the body. They are completely localized. Benign tumors are ones that cannot spread out to other places in the body. They are completely localized.

Benign or Malignant? Malignant tumors can spread from the original site and cause. Malignant tumors can spread from the original site and cause secondary tumors and harm to other places in the body. This is called metastasis. This is called metastasis. The word “cancer” is used in reference to malignant tumors. The word “cancer” is used in reference to malignant tumors.

Metastasized Colon Cancer

How do Tumors Hurt the Body? They interfere with neighbouring cells by blocking blood vessels, the gut, glands, lungs etc. They interfere with neighbouring cells by blocking blood vessels, the gut, glands, lungs etc. They need a huge amount of nutrients to sustain the rapid growth and division of the cells. This takes nutrition away from the rest of the body’s healthy cells They need a huge amount of nutrients to sustain the rapid growth and division of the cells. This takes nutrition away from the rest of the body’s healthy cells

How is Cancer Treated? Radiation- Radiation-Using a certain type of energy such as intense xrays, it destroys cancer cells and minimizes tumors. Chemotherapy- Chemotherapy- Utilizes medications to damage the DNA of cells, prohibit their duplication and eliminate their existence.

Side Effects Chemotherapy Unfortunately, the drugs cannot differentiate between the infected and non-infected cells, causing impairment of healthy cells in the process. Radiation Feeling very tired (fatigue) Skin changes Not wanting to eat (appetite loss)

Radiation Depends on the part of the body being treated. For instance, if you get radiation to your head, you might have hair loss. Or if you get radiation to your chest, you might have a cough or sore throat. The skin over the treatment area might look sunburned.

Cancer Research What steps to scientists use to try to find a cure for a particular cancer? What steps to scientists use to try to find a cure for a particular cancer? Narrow it down to a very specific disease, in this case one specific form of cancer (Ex: Not just lung cancer, but small cell lung cancer) Narrow it down to a very specific disease, in this case one specific form of cancer (Ex: Not just lung cancer, but small cell lung cancer) Secure funding for the research. Secure funding for the research. ***Diseases or cancers that are rare often do not receive large amounts of funding. Why?

Clinical Research Scientists may spend years alone or in teams testing a variety of drug combinations on cancerous cells to find something that works. Scientists may spend years alone or in teams testing a variety of drug combinations on cancerous cells to find something that works. Once they find a drug that seems to work, they follow strict guidelines on testing the drug on animals such as mice. Once they find a drug that seems to work, they follow strict guidelines on testing the drug on animals such as mice.

Clinical Research What about human trials? What about human trials? There are very strict rules about using experimental drugs on humans There are very strict rules about using experimental drugs on humans It must be volunteer! It must be volunteer! Participants must agree to the terms Participants must agree to the terms Participants are chosen based on certain characteristics such as age, race, gender, other preexisting medical conditions. Participants are chosen based on certain characteristics such as age, race, gender, other preexisting medical conditions.

Clinical Research As with any experiment, there must be a control group. One group of participants will receive a placebo – a similar looking medicine that has no actual drug present and provides no benefit (sugar pill) One group of participants will receive a placebo – a similar looking medicine that has no actual drug present and provides no benefit (sugar pill) Participants do not know whether they are receiving the actual drug or the placebo. Participants do not know whether they are receiving the actual drug or the placebo. Is this ethical? Is this ethical?

Clinical Research Without a control group, would the experiment be valid at all? Without a control group, would the experiment be valid at all? How would this affect research? How would this affect research? What about animal research? What about animal research?

Animal Research

British law protects vertebrate animals such as mammals, fish and birds and these are the animals which are counted by government every year. Most research animals are rodents, followed by fish and birds. Dogs, cats and monkeys together represent two in every 1000 animals used in UK research.

Invertebrate animals such as fruit flies and worms are used in large numbers in research but are not protected by the law or counted. Numbers relate to procedures on animals in Great Britain in 2012: Rats, mice and other rodents, all purpose-bred laboratory species 82% Fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds 16.2% Sheep, cows, pigs and other large mammals 1.5% Small mammals, excluding rodents, mostly rabbits and ferrets 0.3% Dogs and cats, all bred for research, no strays or unwanted pets can be used 0.12% Primates, mainly marmoset and macaque monkeys 0.07%