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Understanding Cancer
In this lesson, you will Learn About…
 What cancer is.
 Some causes of cancer.
 How cancer is treated.
 How can you reduce your risk of developing
cancer.
Understanding Cancer
The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are:
 Cancer.
 Tumor.
 Benign.
 Malignant.
 Risk factor.
 Carcinogens.
 Radiation therapy.
 Chemotherapy.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease that occurs when
abnormal cells grow out of control.
The adult human body is made up of more
than 50 trillion cells that are growing and
reproducing themselves.
 Although the majority of cells are normal, some
cells are abnormal.
 The body’s natural defenses usually destroy
these abnormal cells, but sometimes an
abnormal cell survives and starts to reproduce
and form a tumor. A tumor can be benign or
malignant. A malignant tumor is cancerous.
Forms of Cancer and Risk Factors
Here are some forms of cancer and their
risk factors.
Form of
Cancer
Risk Factors
Important Facts
Breast
Cancer
Family history. More
common in women
over age 50, but can
also occur in younger
women and in men.
This is the second major
cause of cancer death
among women.
Reproductive Vary, but include
age, family history of
cancers
cancer, obesity, and
smoking.
In females, it can affect
the cervix, ovaries, and
uterus. In males, it can
affect the prostate gland
and testicles.
Forms of Cancer and Risk Factors
(cont’d.)
Form of
Cancer
Risk Factors
Important Facts
Colon and
rectum
cancers
A high-fat low-fiber
diet; lack of physical
activity; and
smoking.
Cases have declined
somewhat in recent years
due to increased cancer
screening and better
treatments.
Leukemia
Not generally
This cancer causes a rise in
known. May be
abnormal white blood cells,
linked to exposure to hindering the body’s
certain types of
production of healthy blood
radiation and to
cells.
certain chemicals.
Lung
cancer
Smoking.
This is the largest cause of
cancer death. Nearly 80%
of cases are related to
smoking.
Forms of Cancer and Risk Factors
(cont’d.)
Form of
Cancer
Risk Factors
Important Facts
Lymphoma
Not generally
known. Exposure
to certain
infections may
play a part.
This cancer of the lymph
tissue weakens the immune
system, leaving the body
more vulnerable to
infection.
Skin cancers
Sun exposure and
light skin, hair,
and eye coloring
This is the most common
form of cancer in the
United States. Some types
are easier to treat than
others.
Causes of Cancer
Like other noncommunicable diseases,
some cancers can be linked to inherited
traits, behavior choices, and environmental
factors called carcinogens.
Usually a person has to be exposed to a
carcinogen over a long period of time for
cancer to develop.
Causes of Cancer (cont’d.)
Substances and conditions linked to the
development of various types of cancer
include:
Tobacco in any form.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Certain types of radiation.
Certain minerals and chemicals used in
construction and manufacturing, such as
asbestos.
 Air and water pollution.
 A diet high in fat and low in fiber.




Combating Cancer
The best defense against an existing
cancer is early detection. To detect cancer
early, doctors look for warning signs
during exams.
Here are some useful tips for early
detection:
 Train yourself to become aware of any
unusual changes in your body.
 If you notice something abnormal, such as a
mole or wart that changes size or color, tell
your parents or guardians and see a doctor
right away.
What Doctors Can Do
To treat cancer, doctors often use a
combination of the following methods,
depending on the type of cancer and how
far it has progressed.
 Surgery—Doctors remove tumors and other
cancerous cells. Surgery is most effective
when the cancer is confined to one area of
the body.
 Radiation therapy—This therapy works best
when the cancer is limited to just one area,
such as the skin.
 Chemotherapy—This treatment is used to
stop cancers that have spread throughout
the body. It is also sometimes used to shrink
tumors before surgery is performed.
What You Can Do
There are no guaranteed ways to prevent
cancer. However, you can make the
following choices to lower your risk for
developing certain cancers:
 Avoid tobacco use.
 Take action to detect cancer early by
performing self-examinations regularly.
 Limit sun exposure.
 Know the seven warning signs identified by
the American Cancer Society. An easy way to
remember these signs is to think of the word
CAUTION.
What You Can Do (cont’d.)
hange in bowel or bladder habits
sore that doesn’t heal
nusual bleeding or discharge
hickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
ndigestion or difficulty swallowing
bvious change in a wart or mole
agging cough or hoarseness
Reviewing Terms and Facts
1. Define the term cancer.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal
cells grow out of control.
Reviewing Terms and Facts
2. What is the difference between a tumor
that is benign and one that is malignant?
A benign tumor is not cancerous and does not
spread. A malignant tumor is cancerous and may
spread to other parts of the body.
Thinking Critically
3. How might knowing the seven warning
signs of cancer help people protect
themselves?
Knowing the seven warning signs of cancer will
help detect cancer in its early stages when it is
easiest to treat and recover from.
Vocabulary Review
Cancer is a disease that occurs when
abnormal cells grow out of control.
Vocabulary Review
A tumor is a group of abnormal cells that
forms a mass.
Vocabulary Review
A benign tumor is not cancerous and does
not spread.
Vocabulary Review
A malignant tumor is cancerous and may
spread to other parts of the body.
Vocabulary Review
A risk factor is a characteristic or behavior
that increases the likelihood of developing
a medical disorder or disease.
Vocabulary Review
Carcinogens are substances in the
environment that cause cancer.
Vocabulary Review
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses
X rays or other forms of radioactivity to
treat some types of cancer.
Vocabulary Review
Chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs
to destroy cancer cells.