1. Cancer Screening and Prevention

2. Screening Tests and Self-exams
Colon
Breast
Cervical
Prostate
Self-exams:
Testicular
Skin

3. Why Screening Tests?
The treatment of cancer is most successful when the cancer is detected as early as possible, often before symptoms occur.
Sometimes cancers form in locations where symptoms may not be produced until the cancer has grown quite large. The treatment of cancer is most successful when the cancer is detected as early as possible. It is possible to detect some cancers before symptoms occur. The American Cancer Society, and other organizations, encourage the early detection of certain cancers before symptoms occur by recommending a cancer-related checkup and specific early detection tests for people who do not have any symptoms.

4. Cervical Cancer Screening
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Cervical Cancer Screening
The Pap test (or Pap smear) allows early detection of cancer of the cervix
The cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory, where a microscope is used to check for abnormalities.
Normal Pap smear
A screening technique called the Pap test (or Pap smear) allows early detection of cancer of the cervix, the narrow portion of the uterus that extends down into the upper part of the vagina. In this procedure, a doctor uses a small brush or wooden scraper to remove a sample of cells from the cervix and upper vagina. The cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory, where a microscope is used to check for abnormalities. Since the 1930s, early detection using the Pap test has helped lower the death rate from cervical cancer more than 75 percent.
Should abnormalities be found, an additional test may be necessary. There are now 13 high-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) recognized as the major causes of cervical cancer. A HPV test that can identify their presence in a tissue sample. This test can detect the viruses even before there are any conclusive visible changes to the cervical cells.
Abnormal Pap smear
PAP SMEAR ANIMATION:
NCI Web site:

5. Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
Annual pap testing should begin with the onset of sexual activity or at age 18
Investigate pros & cons of new HPV vaccine
Pap testing should continue less frequently at the discretion of the medical provider and patient after three or more annual tests have been normal
Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2002 and about 4,100 women will die of the disease.
The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable and curable if it is detected early; in fact, the occurrence of deaths from cervical cancer has declined significantly over the last 20 to 30 years.
Cervical cancer screening should be done every year with regular pap tests or every two years using liquid based pap tests. At or after age 30, women who have had three normal test results in a row may get screened every two to three years.

6. Breast Cancer Screening
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer can sometimes be detected in its early stages using a mammogram, an X-ray of the breast.
If a mammogram indicates the presence of an abnormality, further tests must be done to determine whether breast cancer actually is present.
Breast cancer can sometimes be detected in its early stages using a mammogram, an X-ray of the breast. Mammography is most beneficial for women as they age and undergo menopause. Mammography is a screening tool that can detect the possible presence of an abnormal tissue mass. By itself, it is not accurate enough to provide definitive proof of either the presence or the absence of breast cancer. If a mammogram indicates the presence of an abnormality, further tests must be done to determine whether breast cancer actually is present.
Mammogram animation:
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7. Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
Age 20 and over – breast self-exams for women 20 and over should be done monthly
Clinical breast exams for women ages should be done every 3 years
Women 40 and over should have an annual clinical breast exam and a mammogram every one, to two years
If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should start ANNUAL clinical breast exams and mammography at age 30 .
One in Eight Women Will Be Diagnosed With Breast Cancer in Her Lifetime (lifetime, living to age 80)

8. Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
Women should report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self‑exam (BSE) is an option for women for women starting in their 20s.
Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer ) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
Video: Self Breast Exam
Age 20 and over – breast self-exams for women 20 and over should be done monthly
Clinical breast exams for women ages should be done every 3 years
Women 40 and over should have an annual clinical breast exam and a mammogram every one, to two years
If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should start ANNUAL clinical breast exams and mammography at age 30 .
One in Eight Women Will Be Diagnosed With Breast Cancer in Her Lifetime (lifetime, living to age 80)

9. Advanced bleeding cancer
Colon Cancer
Most colon cancers start as a polyp
Removing polyps can prevent colon cancer
A polyp
Advanced bleeding cancer

10. Colon Cancer Screening
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Colon Cancer Screening
A procedure called a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects invisible amounts of blood in the feces, a possible sign of several disorders, including colon cancer.
With an application stick, a dab of a stool specimen is smeared on a chemically treated card, which is tested in a laboratory for evidence of blood.
A procedure called a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects invisible amounts of blood in the feces, a possible sign of several disorders, including colon cancer. The test is painless and can be done at home or in the doctor’s office along with a rectal exam. With an application stick, a dab of a stool specimen is smeared on a chemically treated card, which is tested in a laboratory for evidence of blood. If blood is confirmed in the stool, more elaborate tests may be performed to find the source of the bleeding.
Some other options include sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. The former exam uses a lighted instrument called a sigmoidoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths in the rectum and lower colon. The latter exam uses a lighted instrument called a colonoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths throughout the colon, including the upper part.
NCI Web site:

11. Colon Cancer Screening
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Colon Cancer Screening
Some other options include sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
sigmoidoscopy uses a lighted instrument called a sigmoidoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths in the rectum and lower colon.
Colonoscopy uses a lighted instrument called a colonoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths throughout the colon, including the upper part.
A procedure called a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects invisible amounts of blood in the feces, a possible sign of several disorders, including colon cancer. The test is painless and can be done at home or in the doctor’s office along with a rectal exam. With an application stick, a dab of a stool specimen is smeared on a chemically treated card, which is tested in a laboratory for evidence of blood. If blood is confirmed in the stool, more elaborate tests may be performed to find the source of the bleeding.
Some other options include sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. The former exam uses a lighted instrument called a sigmoidoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths in the rectum and lower colon. The latter exam uses a lighted instrument called a colonoscope to find precancerous or cancerous growths throughout the colon, including the upper part.
Colonoscopy animation:
NCI Web site:

12. Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines
Age of 50 and older; younger if there is a family history
Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
Colonoscopy every 10 years
                                                 
Colonoscopy is the best method since it can view the entire colon and remove polyps at the same time.

13. Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines
Men should speak to their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening
Both prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examinations (DRE) are recommended for men over 50 and who choose to undergo screening for prostate cancer
PSA is a blood test that measures the level of protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels of this protein is maybe a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Consider a yearly PSA blood test and DRE starting at age 50, or at age 45 if you are at high risk ( African American, or have a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age).
PSA is a blood test that measures the level of protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels of this protein is maybe a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Men at high risk (family history or African American) should begin testing at age 45 years.

14. Testicular Cancer Screening Guidelines
Doctors agree that examination of a man’s testicles is an important part of a general physical exam. It is recommended that a testicular exam be conducted during routine cancer-related checkups.
It is believed that it is important to make men aware of testicular cancer and that any unusual mass should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately.

15. Skin Cancer The ABCD’s of melanoma (skin cancer):
Asymmetry: one half is not like the other
Border: the edges are jagged or irregular
Color: the color is varied, tan, red, black ect
Diameter: the diameter is larger than 8mm (the top of a pencil eraser A B C D
80% of skin cancer deaths are from melanomas.
Any new, changing, or unusual moles require immediate consultation.
Risk factors for skin cancer are: many moles, Caucasian ancestry with fair skin, and family history.

16. Skin Cancer Prevention
It is important to:
Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves and sunscreen
Do a self examination of your skin monthly
Become familiar with any moles, freckles or other abnormalities on your skin
Check for changes once a month. Show any suspicious or changing areas to your health care provider.

17. Patient’s tissue sample or blood sample
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Biopsy
Pathology
To diagnose the presence of cancer, a doctor must look at a sample of the affected tissue under the microscope
If any test indicate the possible existence of cancer, a doctor must then perform a biopsy, which is the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination.
Proteomic profile
To diagnose the presence of cancer, a doctor must look at a sample of the affected tissue under the microscope. Hence, when preliminary symptoms, Pap test, mammogram, PSA test, FOBT, or colonoscopy indicate the possible existence of cancer, a doctor must then perform a biopsy, which is the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination. (For leukemias, a small blood sample serves the same purpose.) This microscopic examination will tell the doctor whether a tumor is actually present and, if so, whether it is malignant (i.e., cancer) or benign. In addition, microarrays may be used to determine which genes are turned on or off in the sample, or proteomic profiles may be collected for an analysis of protein activity. This information will help doctors to make a more accurate diagnosis and may even help to inform treatment planning.
Patient’s tissue sample or blood sample
Genomic profile
NCI Web site:

18. Patient’s tissue sample or blood sample
Biopsy
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
This microscopic examination will tell the doctor whether a tumor is actually present and, if so, whether it is malignant (i.e., cancer) or benign.
In addition, microarrays may be used to determine which genes are turned on or off in the sample, or proteomic profiles may be collected for an analysis of protein activity
Pathology
Proteomic profile
To diagnose the presence of cancer, a doctor must look at a sample of the affected tissue under the microscope. Hence, when preliminary symptoms, Pap test, mammogram, PSA test, FOBT, or colonoscopy indicate the possible existence of cancer, a doctor must then perform a biopsy, which is the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination. (For leukemias, a small blood sample serves the same purpose.) This microscopic examination will tell the doctor whether a tumor is actually present and, if so, whether it is malignant (i.e., cancer) or benign. In addition, microarrays may be used to determine which genes are turned on or off in the sample, or proteomic profiles may be collected for an analysis of protein activity. This information will help doctors to make a more accurate diagnosis and may even help to inform treatment planning.
Patient’s tissue sample or blood sample
Genomic profile
NCI Web site:

19. How Far Have We Come ? Five year survival rate: 1913 - 10% 2003 - 66%
Advances in cancer research continue
The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a given period of time after diagnosis.
This is commonly expressed as 5-year survival.

20. Fruits and Vegetables Decrease Cancer Risks
Cancer rates could decline by up to 20% if everyone consumed 5 fruits and vegetables a day!*
Cancer fighting substances:
Antioxidants
Dietary fiber
Carotenoids
Flavenoids
*if everyone consumed 5 or more servings of fruits & vegetables each day
Additionally
Eat more high-fiber foods: whole grains, cereals, beans, and vegetables.
Eat fewer high-fat foods and watch your weight. Cut down on butter, margarine, fried foods, and rich desserts.
*American Institute for Cancer Research, 1998.

21. Limit Alcohol to No More Than
Men – 2 drinks per day
Women - 1 drink per day
Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast.
A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits.
The combination of alcohol and tobacco increases the risk of cancer far more than the effect of either drinking or smoking.
Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Women at high risk of breast cancer may want to consider not drinking any alcohol.

22. Reduce Your Skin Exposure to the Sun
Limit time outside, between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.
Wear protective clothing. Use wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Prevent sunburns, especially for children under 18. Use waterproof sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Reapply as directed.
Avoid tanning beds.
                                                       
Tanning beds, once thought to be safer than the sun, may be associated with a nearly two-fold increase in the likelihood of developing the potentially deadly skin cancer melanoma, according to a Swedish study published in the British Journal of Cancer (Vol. 82, No. 9). People 35 or younger who used the beds regularly had a melanoma risk eight-fold higher than people who never used tanning beds. Even occasional use among that age group almost tripled the chances of developing melanoma.

23. Be Active…Often
Exercise for 30 minutes or more at least 4 days a week.

24. Avoid Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US and Canada
Second hand smoke affects everyone
More than 400,000 people die of tobacco-related causes each year, killing more people than homicides, drugs, AIDS, and car accidents combined.
One out of 3 smokers die from smoking & many more become very sick.
Cigarettes & other forms of tobacco are linked to stroke, heart disease, and cancers of the lung, pancreas, mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, bladder, and cervix.
Tobacco smoke contains at least 43 cancer-causing substances. Tobacco companies add ingredients to make their product as addictive as possible.
Most smokers begin smoking before the age of 18 and become addicted.
Tobacco companies target youth to replace smokers who either quit or die from their habit.
Secondhand smoke can be harmful in many ways. In the United States alone, each year it is responsible for:
An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers
About 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmoking adults
Other respiratory problems in nonsmokers, including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, and reduced lung function
150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchitis) in children younger than 18 months of age, which result in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations
Increases in the number and severity of asthma attacks in about 200,000 to 1 million asthmatic children
Increase in the number of cases of inflammation of the middle ear and build up of fluid in the ear in young children of smokers.

25. Tobacco Use and Cancer
National Cancer Institute
Understanding Cancer and Related Topics
Understanding Cancer
Cigarette smoke contains more than two dozen different chemicals capable of causing cancer.
Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and contributes to many other kinds of cancer as well, including cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and bladder.
Among the various factors that can cause cancer, tobacco smoking is the greatest public health hazard. Cigarette smoke contains more than two dozen different chemicals capable of causing cancer. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and contributes to many other kinds of cancer as well, including cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and bladder. Current estimates suggest that smoking cigarettes is responsible for at least one out of every three cancer deaths, making it the largest single cause of death from cancer. Other forms of tobacco use also can cause cancer. For example, cigars, pipe smoke, and smokeless tobacco can cause cancers of the mouth.
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