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Cancer
What is cancer??
• Cancer is a word used to describe many diseases,
all of which are characterized by the uncontrolled
growth and spread of cells.
• These cells are abnormal and do not behave or
function like normal cells. Normal cells grow and
multiply in a controlled way to replace old or dead
cells. Cancer cells grow and multiply uncontrollably.
They continue growing and dividing regardless of
whether or not new cells are needed.
Cont.
• This uncontrolled growth of cancer cells results in the
formation of malignant tumors. These tumors can grow
slowly or rapidly. The tumors can invade and spread to
other tissues and organs in our bodies, destroying normal
cells along the way. When cancer spreads it is called
metastasis.
• Cancer develops when a cell becomes abnormal. What
causes the cell to become abnormal is often not
understood. Many factors have been found to be
cancer-causing. They include tobacco products,
exposure to some chemicals, and excessive exposure to
sunlight. You cannot catch cancer from another person.
• http://www.insidecancer.org/
Two categories
• When the abnormal cells start to divide and
multiply, a mass develops. This mass is called a
tumor.
• Tumors can either be benign or malignant.
• Benign?
• Malignant?
Types of cancer- vocab
• There are more than a 150( numbers vary according to
categorization) different types of cancer. They are
usually named for the body tissue from which the cancer
cell was developed.
• Ninety percent of cancers develop because complex
interactions between our bodies, lifestyles, genetic make
up, and lifestyle.
• These different types usually fit into these categories
• Sarcoma
• Carcinoma
• Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Central nervous system cancers
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wRpa2b5XI
In the U.S., according to the National Cancer
Institute in 2010, the most common cancers
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Cancer type
Estimated new cases Estimated deaths
Bladder
70,530
14,680
Breast (female-male)
207,090-1,970
39,840-390
Colon and rectal
142,570
51,370
Endometrial
43,470
7,950
Kidney (renal cell)
53,581
11,997
Leukemia
43,050
21,840
Lung (including bronchus) 222,520
157,300
Melanoma
68,130
8,700
Non-Hodgkin
65,540
20,210
Pancreatic
43,140
36,800
Prostate
217,730
32,050
Thyroid
44,670
1,690
Prevelance
• Men: Prostate, lung, and colorectal
• Women: Breast, colorectal, and lung
• Children: Leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphoma
Stats
• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It
accounted for 7.4 million deaths (around 13% of all
deaths) in 2004 (statistics published in 2009).
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Lung, stomach, liver, colon, and breast cancer
cause the most cancer deaths each year.
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Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to
continue rising, with an estimated 12 million deaths
in 2030.
Most common cancer
risks
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Genetic predisposition
Estrogen exposure
Ionizing radiation
pathogens
Ultraviolet radiation
Carcinogenic chemicals
Tobacco smoke
Carcinogens in foods
alcohol
Unhealthy diet
Free radicals
Carcinogens
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What is a carcinogen?
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2625
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Carcinogen foods??
1. Any charred food - from burnt popcorn - to burnt toast, is highly carcinogenic.
2. Meat in general (in terms of the fats associated) is carcinogenic, especially
overcooked meat.
3. Sugar is carcinogenic - whether white or brown. Instead of sugar, substitute
honey
4. Stomach cancer is associated with high salt intake, with spicy foods and smoked
food
5. Sodas are carcinogenic for a variety of reasons beyond their high sugar content
and harmful additives. Sodas have also been proved to leach the minerals principally calcium - that are temporarily gained through other healthier foods
6. Trans fats found in fries and snack chips are carcinogenic
7. Artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, are carcingogenic
8. Excessive alcohol intake is toxic
9. Foods cooked at high temperatures usually contain acrylamide.
Myths on Carcinogens
• http://health.discovery.com/videos/top-tencancer-myths-fried-foods.html
• http://health.discovery.com/videos/top-tencancer-myths-charcoal-grills.html
• http://health.discovery.com/videos/top-tencancer-myths-cancer-and-lifestyle.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJQxaKArZ0o&
feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GonQZqOHUYk
&feature=related
Stages of Cancer
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Site of the primary tumor
Tumor size and number of tumors
Lymph node involvement (spread of cancer into lymph nodes)
Cell type and tumor grade* (how closely the cancer cells resemble normal
tissue cells)
The presence or absence of metastasis
Variations of staging:
some cancer registries use surveillance, epidemiology,
and end results program
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In situ: Abnormal cells are present only in the layer of cells in
which they developed.
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Localized: Cancer is limited to the organ in which it began,
without evidence of spread.
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Regional: Cancer has spread beyond the primary site to nearby
lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
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Distant: Cancer has spread from the primary site to distant organs
or distant lymph nodes.
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Unknown: There is not enough information to determine the
stage.