Cancer

What is cancer? “Abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells, which, if left untreated, can ultimately cause death.” (American Cancer Society) Terminology:  Benign  Malignant  Metastasis  In situ

Cells and Cancer Two-stage model of cancer development:  Initiators  Accumulation of DNA mutations  “Genetic insults”  Promoters  Do not cause cancer but help it grow Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors  “Good” = proto-oncogene  “Bad” = oncogene  Tumor suppressors

OR vs US: Cancer Incidence (CDC)

OR vs US: Cancer Deaths (CDC)

Non-Specific Warning Signs CAUTION:  C: changes in bowel or bladder habits  A: a sore that doesn’t heal  U: unusual thickening or discharge  T: thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body  I: indigestion or difficulty swallowing  O: an obvious change in wart or mole  N: a nagging cough or hoarseness

Cancer Staging T: The extent of primary tumor N: absence of presence of lymph node involvement M: presence of distance metastasis Stages: I, II, III, IV Five year “Gold standard”

Types of cancer: Leukemia Involve blood-forming cells (white blood cells) which are chiefly in bone marrow.  Acute, chronic (National Cancer Institute)

Source: cancerhelp.org.uk Types of cancer: Sarcoma Connective & fibrous tissue Examples: muscle, bone, cartilage, membranes covering muscle/fat

Types of Cancer: Lymphomas Involve lymph nodes  Hodgkins, non-Hodgkins Source: newsimg.bbc.co.uk

Source: media.collegepublisher.com Types of Cancer: Carcinoma Epithelial cells  Cover external body surfaces or line internal tubes and cavities Most common type Examples: skin, breast, uterus, prostate, lungs, GI tract

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer continued Types:  Non-small cell  Small cell Symptoms:  Most lung cancers are silent  When symptoms occur:  Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of appetite, blood in sputum.

Lung Cancer: Risk Factor Most common malignant disease worldwide  Leading cause of cancer deaths. Tobacco smoke accounts for approximately 90% of all lung cancers.  According to the WHO, decreasing current smoking rates by 50% could prevent million deaths before 2025 and 150 million deaths by 2050.

Oral cancers: #1 risk = tobacco

Breast Cancer

The most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Risk factors:  Age, female gender, personal family history

(National Cancer Institute, 2005)

Types of Breast Cancer Ductal cancer  Most common type of breast cancer Lobular cancer Inflammatory breast cancer

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors Gender  100x more common in women Age Genetics  BRCA1  BRCA2 Diet  Alcohol Physical activity Menarche Pregnancies Breast-feeding Menopause

Mammograms (National Cancer Institute, 2005)

Screening / Prevention Mammogram recommendation  Starting at age 40 (unless family or personal history) and every year as long as “in good health.” BSE (Breast Self-Exams)  Starting at age 20, every month  Clinical breast exam every year Chemoprevention  Her2neu marker

Prostate Cancer

The most common cancer for men. Lifetime risk: 1 in 6 Risk of dying: 3%

Risk Factors / Screening Age  Strongest risk factor Race / ethnicity Diet  Red meat  High-fat dairy Genetics PSA blood test DRE – digital rectal exam Good news  Prostate cancer is not always life threatening

Colorectal Cancer

More common in Western societies. Almost 100% preventable with screening and polyp removal.

Colorectal Cancer: Risk Factors Age  Over 50 Diet Physical inactivity Obesity  Link stronger in men Smoking Alcohol Diabetes (type 2)  Increased risk  Less favorable outcome

Screening Colonoscopy  Recommended first colonoscopy at age 50; every 5-10 years  Unless family history / personal symptoms  Good news: colon cancer usually slow growing  Other screenings:  FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test)  sDNA (Stool DNA tests)

Skin Cancer

Sun Safety Quiz “I can’t get skin cancer, because my normal routine (such as work, drive to work, hobbies, and vacations) doesn’t include any outdoor activities”  False “If I’m wearing sun screen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want.”  False “Getting a ‘base tan’ at an indoor tanning salon is a good way to prevent sunburn when I go to the beach later this summer.”  False (American Cancer Society)

Skin Cancer Three types of skin cancer:  Basal cell carcinoma  Most common type of skin cancer  Squamous cell carcinoma  Melanoma  Deadliest form of skin cancer

Skin Cancers Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer  However…. Basal cell and squamous cell are not reported to cancer registries  Basal cell  About 8 of 10 skin cancers  Squamous cell  About 2 of 10 skin cancers

Source: skin cancer foundation

Melanoma – ABC’s Source: skin cancer foundation

Skin Cancer: Risk Factors SUN (Obviously!)  Specifically UV exposure Age / Gender  Before age 40 – higher risk for women  After age 40 –higher risk for men  Melanoma is one of the common cancers in people younger than 30. Smoking

Skin Cancer Prevention “Slip, Slop, Slap … and Wrap” (ACS)

Wrapping up chronic diseases Responses differ from person to person  Grief  Loss of body part, control, independence, security, certainty of future  Physical / Mental fatigue  Depression  Shock / disbelief  Denial  Anger

Communication: A few do’s and don’ts Be “other-oriented” It’s not about you Listen and listen some more The patient is the boss  It’s their decision Offer specific help Please avoid cliches!  “I know what you’re going through”  “Everything will be okay”  “Well we all have to die sometime”