1. Brittany Houghton Biochemistry 2012

2. What is cancer?  A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.  Considered the most common genetic disease

3. Cancer and DNA  2009: scientists completed sequencing the melanoma (30,000 mutations) and lung cancer (23,000) genome.  Currently working on the breast, liver, stomach, brain, ovary, and pancreas cancer genomes

4. Can cancer be prevented? YesNo  Scientific evidence suggests that about 1/3 of all cancer deaths expected to occur in 2012 will be related to overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, tobacco, and alcohol use  Cancers can be passed down genetically cannot be prevented.  Screening and regular check-ups at the doctors can help detect cancer early on.

5. Treatment  Surgery  Chemotherapy  Radiation  Combination  These treatments don’t always work. It depends on the stage, person, and type of cancer  Support groups are very popular

6. References  American Cancer Society. (2012). Cancer Facts & Figures 2012. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.  American Cancer Society. (2012). What Is Cancer?..  Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. (2000). Cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine..  Campbell, M. K., & Farrell S. O. (2011). Biochemistry. Australia: Brooks/Cole.  Moss, R. W. (1996). The Cancer Industry. USA: Equinox Press.