Download But I`m Too Young! A Case Study of Ovarian Cancer

Cell Division Gone Wrong
Cancer
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Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell division. It
starts with a single cell that loses its control
mechanisms due to a genetic mutation. That cell
starts dividing without limit, and eventually kills the
host.
Some types of cancers run in families while others
are triggered by environmental factors.
A Tumour
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Uncontrolled growth and division may create a
rapidly growing mass of cells that form a lump or
tumour.
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Cells that stay together and have no serious effects on
surrounding areas are called benign.
A mass of cells that interfere with the function of neighbouring
cells and tissues is malignant. These cells are considered
cancerous.
Causes
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Every time a cell divides, its DNA is faithfully
duplicated. Usually this process is error-free and the
genetic information in the daughter cells is exactly
the same as the parent cell. Sometimes though,
random changes occur. These random changes are
called mutations.
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Some mutations are caused by carcinogens:
environmental factors that cause cancer.
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Tobacco smoke (9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer)
Radiation (x-rays, UV from tanning beds)
Some viruses (HPV)
Some plastics
A lot of organic compounds
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Some cancers appear to be hereditary: DNA passed
from one generation to the next.
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Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Screening for Cancer
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Checking for cancer, even though there are not
symptoms, is screening for cancer.
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At home, self check
Routine medical check up (especially if there is a history or
breast or colon cancers)
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Women – pap tests, breast checks
Men – testicular check, PSA check for prostate
Both - colonoscopy
Cancer Treatment
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Two basic treatments: surgery to remove the tumor,
and radiation or chemicals to kill actively dividing
cells.
It is hard to remove all the tumor cells. Tumors often
lack sharp boundaries for easy removal, and
metastatic tumors can be very small and anywhere
in the body.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
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Radiation and chemotherapy are aimed at killing
actively dividing cells, but killing all dividing cells is
lethal: you must make new blood cells, skin cells,
etc. So treatment must be carefully balanced to
avoid killing the patient.
Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy also has the problem of natural
selection within the tumor.
If any of the tumor cells are resistant to the
chemical, they will survive and multiply.
The cancer seems to have disappeared, but it
comes back a few years later in a form that is
resistant to chemotherapy.
Using multiple drugs can decrease the risk of
relapse: it’s hard for a cell to develop resistance
to several drugs at the same time.
Biophotonics
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The newest weapon in the fight against cancer uses
beams of light to detect and treat cancer.
It is very sensitive and can help in early detection.
There are fewer side effects and can more
accurately target cancerous tissue.
Reducing your Cancer Risk
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Cancer prevention and early detection are very
important.
Inform your self about you medical history, family
history, and carcinogens in the environment to help
you make healthier lifestyle choices.