2.  Our bodies are made of cells, which grow, work, reproduce and die  Genes 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

3.  If mutations occur in the genes that control the cell cycle, cancers could develop  Because you have two copies of your genes (from your mom and dad), it often takes a couple mutations for cancer to start  As mutations accumulate, there is less and less control on the cell cycle

4. Ultraviolet Cosmic Rays X Rays Chemicals (eg. Eg. Benzo-a-pyrene - found in coal tar - found in cigarette smoke - found in overcooked meats)

5.  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.

7.  An estimated 166,400 new cases of cancer and 73,800 deaths will occur in Canada in 2008.  On average, 3,200 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every week.  On average, 1,419 Canadians will die of cancer every week.  An estimated 79,400 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 35,000 women will die.  An estimated 87,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 38,800 men will die of cancer.

8.  Based on current incidence rates, 39% of Canadian women will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Among men, 45% will develop cancer during their lifetimes.  Cancer is the leading cause of premature death - or early death - in Canada: 1,026,700 potential years were lost in 2004 as a result of cancer. This represents 32% of the potential years of life lost resulting from all causes of death.  Cancer is primarily a disease of older Canadians: 42% of new cancer cases and 60% of cancer deaths will occur among those who are at least 70 years old.

10.  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

11.  In 2008, an estimated 23,900 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 20,200 will die of it.  On average, 460 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer every week. On average, 388 Canadians will die of lung cancer every week.

12.  Most colorectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the colon or the rectum. Risk Factors  age – particularly after 50  having polyps (small growths on the inner wall of the colon and rectum)  family history of colorectal cancer - especially if the relative (parent, sibling, child) developed colorectal cancer before the age of 45  inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)  high-fat diet  alcohol consumption  smoking  physical inactivity  obesity  ethnic background – people of Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewish) descent

13.  In 2008, an estimated 22,400 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die of it.  An estimated 170 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 50 will die of it.  On average, 431 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.  On average, 102 Canadian women will die of breast cancer every week.

14.  having had breast cancer before  family history of breast cancer (especially in a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed before menopause)  family history of ovarian cancer  an above-average exposure to the hormone estrogen, which your body naturally produces, perhaps because you:  have never given birth or gave birth for the first time after age 30  began menstruating at a young age  reached menopause later than average  have taken hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin) for more than five years  dense breast tissue (as shown on a mammogram)  radiation treatment to the chest area (for example, to treat Hodgkin lymphoma), especially before age 30 You may be at slightly higher risk if you:  are obese (especially after menopause)  drink alcohol  take birth control pills

15.  Prostate cancer starts in the cells of the prostate gland. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Risk Factors:  age – being older than 65  family history of prostate cancer  African ancestry  Obesity, physical inactivity, eating a diet high in fat, and working with a metal called cadmium are being studied as possible risk factors.

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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