Download What is Cancer?

Cancer
Sources: Huntsman Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
What is Cancer?
• Cancer is the general name for a group of
more than 300 diseases.
• Cancer is when cells grow out of control.
(unorganized and mutated cells)
• Untreated cancer can cause serious illness
and death.
• Cancer has the ability to spread.
Normal Cells
• The body is made up of trillions of living
cells.
• Normal cells grow, divide, and make new
cells and die in an orderly way.
• In early years of life, normal cells divide
rapidly to allow a person to grow.
• In adulthood, most cells only divide to
replace worn-out or dying cells or repair
injuries.
How Cancer Starts
• Cancer starts when cells in a
part of the body start
growing out of control. This
can form a tumor.
• Instead of dying, cancer cells
continue to grow and form
new, abnormal cells.
• Cancer cells can also grow
into other tissues, something
normal cells can’t do.
• Can spread.
healthy
organized
cell structure
disorganized
cancer cell
structure
Cells become cancer cells due
to damage in cell DNA.
All Cancer Is Genetic:
Starts in the genes of
the cell.
• DNA damage is caused by
mistakes that happen when
a cell is reproducing.
• DNA damage can also occur
from an exposure from the
environment. (smoking, sun
exposure (radiation),
chemical exposure, viruses,
bacteria)
What Causes Cancer?
Damage to DNA

Radiation

Some viruses and bacteria

Certain chemicals
All Cancer is Genetic
• Cancer starts in the genes of a cell.
• Not all cancer is inherited.
Genetic
Inherited
How Cancer Spreads
• Cancer cells often travel
to other parts of the body
where they grow and
form new tumors.
• This happens when the
cancer cells get into the
bloodstream or lymph
vessels.
• This process is called
metastasis.
Cancer Growth
1 million cells = Pinhead
2-6 weeks
2-6 weeks
2-6 weeks
9
2-6 weeks
1 billion cells = Small grape
How Cancers Differ
Different types of cancer
can behave differently.
For instance, lung cancer
and skin cancer are very
different diseases. They
grow at different rates
and respond to different
treatments. This is why
people with cancer need
treatment that is aimed at
their kind of cancer.
Tumors that are not cancer
• A tumor is an abnormal lump or
collection of cells.
• Not all tumors are cancer.
• Tumors that are not cancer are
called benign.
• Benign tumors can cause problemsbut are seldom life threatening.
Finding Cancer
• Treatment works best when cancer is found
early. (while cancer is small, less likely to
have spread)
• Sometimes, it’s possible to find cancer
before experiencing problems. As you age it
is recommended that you have cancerrelated check-ups and tests to detect cancer
early. (breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon
cancer)
How common is cancer?
50% of men
33% of women
Will develop cancer during their lifetime.
Anyone can get cancer at any age.
The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in lifestyle.
• Stay away from tobacco
• Limit your time in the sun
• Avoid tanning beds
• Be physically active
• Eat healthy foods
• Do proper self tests or schedule doctor check-ups
How Is Cancer Treated?
Dandelion
• Pull it out
• Burn it
• Apply weed killer
• Block the sun, prevent
watering
• Strengthen surrounding
grass or improve
the
soil
• Replace patches of lawn
Cancer
• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal Therapy
• Biological/Immuno therapy
• Stem Cell Transplant/Bone
Marrow Transplant
Survival Rates for Cancer
• Today, more than 14.5
million people alive in
the U.S. have survived
some type of cancer.
• Every year more and
more people survive
cancer.
• Early detection makes
survival rates go up.
Can you prevent cancer?
NO, but you can do things to lower your risk.
Limit alcohol consumption
• Drinking alcohol is linked to a higher
risk of certain types of cancer.
• It’s the amount of alcohol drunk over
time which seems to be the factor
most significant in raising cancer risk.
• No more than 2 drinks per day for
men and 1 drink per day for women.
Avoid smoking
• The combined use of alcohol and tobacco
raises the risk of mouth, throat, voice box,
and esophagus cancer far more the effects of
either alone.
• Many cancers can be prevented if people
don’t use tobacco.
• Smoking damages nearly every organ in the
human body and accounts for 30% of all
cancer deaths.
• Ex smokers have less cancer than people who
continue smoking.
Smoking
There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco
smoke. Any exposure to tobacco smoke –
even an occasional cigarette or exposure to
secondhand smoke – is harmful.
- US Surgeon General
Smoking increases risk of
these cancers: sinuses, nose,
lip, mouth, throat, lung,
esophagus, pancreas,
cervical, ovaries, kidney,
bladder, stomach, colorectal,
leukemia.
It Is Your Decision
You Know The Consequences
• Health
• Environment
• Social
• Financial
• Addiction cycle is not fun
• Tobacco companies target you to get
you to try smoking
20
What Can I Do If Someone I Care
About Uses Tobacco?
• Tell them how you feel
• Support and encourage them to quit,
even if they have tried many times
• Avoid secondhand smoke and try to
protect yourself from breathing the
smoke
• Ask them to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to get
help quitting
Diet
• Eat a lot of fresh vegetables
and fruits
• Choose whole grains rather
than refined grains and
sugars
• Limit red meats (beef, pork,
lamb)
• Limit processed meats
(bacon, deli meat, hot dogs)
• Eat recommended serving
sizes each day
Ultraviolet (UV) Rays and Sun Exposure
• It’s important to protect ourselves from developing skin cancer.
Because Utah is at a high elevation (closer to the sun) we need to
protect ourselves from UV rays.
• You should always use sun screen (SPF of 30 or higher). Re-apply
frequently when doing outdoor activities.
• Wear hats, sunglasses, and clothes that cover your skin.
• Do not use tanning beds or sun lamps.
Who Is at Risk for Skin Cancer?
Everyone!
24
Factors that Increase Risk for
Skin Cancer
Main risk factor is exposure to UV radiation
Other risk factors
♦ Blue, green or gray eyes
♦ Freckle or burn easily
♦Family history
♦ Many moles
♦ Fair skin
♦ Blond or red hair
♦ Blistering
sunburns as a child
 Use tanning beds
 Live at a high altitude
 Work outside or do a lot of
outdoor activities
The Sun and You
•The sun triggers Vitamin D synthesis,
which is good for the body
•Only SMALL amounts of sunlight are
needed (10-15 minutes; NOT a suntan)
•Vitamin D is found in foods such as eggs,
fish, and cheese
Cancerquest.org
Main Types of Skin Cancer
• Squamous Cell
Carcinoma
• Basal Cell
Carcinoma
• Melanoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Accounts for over 20% of all skin cancers in the U.S.
• Slow growing but more likely to spread than basal cell
carcinoma
Warning Signs
• Crusted or scaly red patch of skin with irregular borders
• A growth with an indentation in the center that may bleed
• Open sore that bleeds or crusts and doesn‘t heal
• Wart-like growth that may crust and bleed
Lower lip & rim of the ear are especially at risk
Basal Cell Carcinoma
 Most common type
of skin cancer in the
U.S.
 Local destruction
 Rarely spreads
Warning Signs
•
•
•
•
•
Shiny bump that is pearly or translucent
Pink growth with a crusted indentation in the center
Open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts, and doesn't heal
A reddish patch or irritated area. It may crust, itch or hurt
Scar-like area which is yellow, white or waxy
Usually occurs on the face, eyelids, ears, scalp,
shoulders, and back
Melanoma
• Most serious type of
skin
cancer
• Starts in the melanocytes
• 4% of all skin cancers in the
U.S., but causes 79% of skin
cancer deaths
• If it is not caught early it can
easily spread
ABCDEs of Melanoma
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
Evolution
Dear 16 year old me…
The Dangers of Tanning Beds
Using a tanning
bed, even once,
during your
lifetime may
increase your risk
of melanoma by
75%
35
Sunscreen
• Blocks both UVA and UVB rays
• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30
• Apply 20 minutes before going outside
• Reapply every 2 hours
• Apply generously
36
Twins...
Darrick Antell, M.D., F.A.C.S.
What can I do to lower my risk of
developing cancer?
• Don’t use tobacco
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Protect yourself from sun exposure and do not use
tanning beds
• Avoid sugary drinks
• Limit red meat intake and avoid processed meat
• Limit salt consumption
• Eat a mostly plant based diet
• Maintain a healthy body weight through physical
activity
• Get recommended cancer screenings
Because you don’t want to end up
looking like this...
39