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Chapter Eleven
Living with Cancer
and Chronic Conditions
Status of Cancer Today
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Annually, over 1.2 million people
developed cancer [U.S. 2002]
Contributing factors could be:
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aging
tobacco use
high fat foods
pollution
no health insurance
lack of education
Cell Regulation
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Cells perform important daily
functions
Regulatory genes – responsible for
monitoring cell replication,
specialization, DNA repair, and
suppression
Oncogenes – faulty regulatory genes
that fail to function properly
Proto oncogenes –normal regulatory
genes that may become oncogenes
Oncogene Formation
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All cells have proto oncogenes
3 mechanisms that contribute to
oncogene formation:
1. genetic mutations
2. viral infections
3. presence of carcinogens,
environmental agents
Characteristics of a Cancerous
Cell
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Infinite life expectancy (telomerase
enzyme)
Absence of contact inhibition
Absence of cellular cohesiveness
(metastasis)
Ability to control extra blood supply
(angiogenesis potential)
Types of Cancers
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carcinoma
Sarcoma
Lymphoma
Leukemia
Benign vs. malignant growths
are not always safe
Types of Cancers, cont.
1.
2.
3.
4.
melanoma
neuroblastom
a
adenocarcino
ma
hepatoma
Benign vs. malignant growths
are not always safe
How Cancer Spreads
Common Cancer Sites
of the Body
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Lung
Breast
Uterus
Vagina
Ovary
Lymph
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Cervix
Prostate
Testicle
Colon/rectum
Pancreas
Skin
Self-Check (Breast)
Self-Check (Testicles)
ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
Elevation
7 Warning Signs of Cancer
Change in bowel/bladder habits
A sore that won’t heal
Unusual bleeding
Thickening or lump
Indigestion
Obvious change in wart/mole
Nagging cough
Treatment for Cancer
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Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Alternative cancer therapies
Risk Reduction
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Know family history
Select occupation carefully
Avoid tobacco
Eat properly
Monitor environmental exposure to
carcinogens
Risk Reduction (cont’d)
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Control body weight
Exercise regularly
Limit UV rays
Consume alcohol moderately
Other Chronic
Health Conditions
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Systemic lupus
erythematosus
Crohn’s Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
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Diabetes mellitus
(Type 1 and 2)
Alzheimer’s
Disease
Sickle Cell Disease
Chapter Eleven
Living with Cancer and Chronic
Conditions