1. High levels of preventable chronic disease, injury and mental health problems
Cancer

2. Lesson Aim Students learn to:
Research and analyse CVD, cancer and ONE other condition by investigating:
The nature of the problem
Extent of the problem
Risk factors and protective factors
The sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental determinants
Groups at risk

3. What is cancer?
You Tube clip… Cancer explained.

4. The nature of the problem
Cancer is a diverse group of several hundred diseases in which some of the body’s cells become abnormal and begin to multiply out of control. The abnormal cells can invade and damage the tissue around them, and spread to other parts of the body, causing further damage and eventually death.
Also referred to as ‘Neoplasms’
In Australia the most commonly diagnosed cancers are:
Prostate
Bowel
Breast
Melanoma of the skin
Lung

5. The nature of the problem
There are two quite different types of tumour.
Benign tumours are not cancerous. They generally grow slowly, surrounded by a capsule that tends to control their spread. Usually, the cure is surgical removal. Benign tumours may cause some damage by robbing surrounding tissue of necessary nutrients, or interfering with the function of vital organs.

6. Malignant tumours are cancerous
Malignant tumours are cancerous. Without the restraints of a controlled capsule, they can spread to other parts of the body, starve surrounding tissue of necessary nutrients and invade healthy tissues. These tumours cause sickness and death.

7. The nature of the problem
Metastases are secondary or new tumours.
They may develop some distance from the original malignant tumour, because the malignant tumour has the ability to invade surrounding tissues, blood vessels and lymphatic channels, spreading into either the bloodstream or lymph fluid and travelling to other parts of the body.

8. Extent of the problem
Cancer is the second-most common cause of death in Australia—after cardiovascular diseases.
Over the last 20 years there has been a steady decline in mortality rates and a significant increase in 5 year survival rates.
The incidence of cancer diagnosis continues to rise.

9. Extent of the problem
Both the incidence and mortality rates are higher in males than females.
Incidence and mortality rates are higher in the 60 years and over age group.
Incidence Rates (AIHW 2012)
Mortality Rates (AIHW 2010)

10. Extent of the problem
Cancer is the highest contributor to the disease burden in Australia – accounting for 16% of the overall disease burden in Australia.
Cancer is ranked 6th in Australia in terms of direct health care expenditure

11. Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Non-modifiable
Family history (for some cancers)
Age – over 60
Gender – males
Modifiable
Smoking
High fat diet
Obesity
Sun exposure
Self examination and screening programs
Eating a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke
Avoiding exposure to hazardous materials
Limiting sun exposure by wearing hat, sunscreen, protective clothing

12. Determinants Sociocultural Socioeconomic Environmental
People with a family history
Ethnicity – ATSI have a higher incidence of lung and cervical cancer, as they tend to have higher smoking rates
Socioeconomic
Low socioeconomic status and unemployment increases risk due to limited health choices
People with low education rates are more a risk due to less knowledge about health choices and how the access health services
People in occupations involving exposure to carcinogens
People working outdoors
Environmental
People living in rural and remote areas are more at risk due to less access to health information, health services and technology

13. Groups at risk Males People aged over 60 years ATSI
Low socioeconomic groups
Tobacco smokers (lung cancer)
People exposed to occupational or environmental hazards (lung cancer)
People with fair skin (skin cancer)

14. Practise Question HSC Question 2011:
Breast cancer and lung cancer are two common cancers in Australia. What are the determinants of these cancers and why do they put some groups more at risk than the general population? (7 Marks)

15. HSC Question 2011