1. Cancer

2. What is Cancer?
Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and harm normal body tissue.
One of the leading causes of death in the U.S.
More people could be saved through early detection.
Don’t allow fear to keep from medical help
Regular health exams – self exams (breast and testicular), mammography (x-ray to detect tumors in the breasts), prostate exam, colonoscopy, etc.

3. Costs
The financial costs of cancer can be great, not only for the individual but also for society. The National Cancer Institute estimates overall annual costs for cancer at about $107 billion. This cost includes $37 billion for direct medical costs, $11 billion for morbidity costs (cost of lost productivity), and $59 billion for mortality costs. Interestingly, treatment for breast, lung, and prostrate cancers account for more than one half of the direct medical costs.

5. Seven Early Warning Signs
C – Change in bowel or bladder habits
A – A sore that does not heal
U – Unusual bleeding or discharge
T – Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
I – Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
O – Obvious change in wart, mole or birthmark
N – Nagging or persistent hoarseness or coughing

6. Tumors
Benign – non-cancerous; usually grows slowly; does not typically cause problems but may be removed if necessary
Malignant – cancerous; develops in all directions; often spreads through the bloodstream to other parts of the body
Metastasize – the spreading of the cancer cells and the secondary growth is called the metastasis

7. Diagnosis
X-Ray – electromagnetic radiation that produces shadowed images
Blood test – sample of blood is taken and its characteristics and properties are analyzed
PAP smear – extracting and analyzing cells from the cervix
Prostate/rectal exam – examination of the prostate and rectum for malignant cells; an enlarged prostate is often a sign of cancer
CAT scan – painless and noninvasive; uses x-rays that rotate completely around the patient to take cross-sectional images
biopsy – a sample of living tissue which is tested for malignant cells
PET scan

8. Treatment Options
Chemotherapy – treatment with chemical agents; these chemicals impair the ability of cancer cells to replicate and are often used in conjunction with radiation treatment
Radiation – treatment using x-rays or gamma rays to stop malignant cells from reproducing
Surgery – treatment by operating and removing tissue from affected area
Interferon – drugs that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer
Hormone therapy – used in some cases to prevent the reoccurrence of cancer
Other treatment options are also available and differ based on the type of cancer

9. Causes/Risks Environment – water, air, etc.
Heredity/Genetics – development of many conditions is linked to family history
Lifestyle behaviors – diet, exercise, use of substances, stress, etc. may increase or decrease the chance of developing cancer or other conditions

10. Carcinogen: cancer causing agent
Known Carcinogens:
asbestos
UV rays
radiation
toxic wastes
tobacco
chemicals
petroleum products
saccharine

11. Types of cancer
Lymphoma – cancer of the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes
Melanoma – deadly form of skin cancer, can spread to other areas of body
Sarcoma – cancer in soft tissues, including cartilage, muscle, and fat, as well as in the bones
Carcinoma – tumors that are firm and irregular, usually develop in the skin, large intestine, stomach, lungs, prostate, cervix, or breast
Leukemia – cancer of blood forming tissues including bone marrow and the lymphatic system

12. Skin Cancer The three major types of skin cancer are:
basal cell carcinoma (highly curable)
squamous cell carcinomas (highly curable)
Malignant melanoma ( more serious)
According to current estimates, percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.

13. Risk Factors for Skin Cancer
Light skin color, hair color, or eye color.
Family history of skin cancer.
Personal history of skin cancer.
Chronic exposure to the sun.
History of sunburns early in life.
Certain types of moles, or a large number of moles.
Freckles, which indicate sun sensitivity and sun damage

15. Prevention
The best defense against skin cancer is protection from the sun and ultraviolet light
The National Cancer Institute recommends that whenever possible, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. standard time, or from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daylight savings time). People should remember that protective clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun's harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can protect the skin.

16. More Prevention
When in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, neck, and ears; sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays; and protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, long pants). Dark, tightly woven clothes filter out the sun best.
Practice protection from the sun even when it is cloudy. As much as 80 percent of the sun's rays can penetrate light clouds, mist, and fog.
Be especially careful near reflective surfaces such as sand, concrete, water, or snow. These surfaces can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun's rays.
Use a sunscreen with a higher SPF than usually used if visiting an area with high altitudes or a tropical climate; sunlight in these areas is particularly intense.
Keep infants younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. After 6 months of age, begin using a sunscreen made especially for an infant's sensitive skin. Be sure infants wear hats when they are in the sun.

17. Me and My Shadow
The American Cancer Society notes that there is a link between severe sunburns in childhood and significantly increased risk of developing melanoma later in life. Therefore, children especially should be protected from the sun. In fact, programs promoting behavioral change have begun in U.S. schools and at beaches and pools. Some programs try to teach children with simple messages. For example, the "shadow rule" ("Short shadow! Seek shade!") teaches children that when their shadows are shorter than they are, it is time to seek shade and use sunscreen and hats. Other awareness programs are directed at parents and caregivers.