Download what are the possible causes of cancer

CANCER UNIT
Cancer has touched the lives of many people.
The purpose of the unit is to help you understand
cancer.
Every part of the body is made of CELLS. Cells
DIVIDE to make NEW cells. New cells replace
DAMAGED or OLD CELLS so we can stay healthy. Each
cell has a NUCLEUS which is responsible to give each cell
its JOB and tell it when to DIVIDE or WHEN TO QUIT
DIVIDING. Cancer happens when something goes wrong
in the NUCLEUS. Cells UNABLE to do their job GROW
OUT OF CONTROL are CANCER cells and will crowd out
HEALTHY cells. They can form a MASS or LUMP called a
TUMOR. Some cancer cells flow throughout the BLOOD
STREAM like cancers of the BLOOD or LYMPH SYSTEM.
The four most common cancers are: BREAST, COLON,
LUNG, AND PROSTATE.
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CANCER VOCABULARY
Tumor - groups of cells that divide too much and form masses.
1-
Benign Tumor – not cancerous, can interfere with
body functions, surgery to remove, does not spread.
2-
Malignant Tumor – cancerous, spreads to other body
parts and destroys normal tissues.
Metastasize – a malignant tumor breaking away to other parts
of the body, the cancer spreading.
Oncologist – doctor specializing in cancer care.
Biopsy – removal of cells for examination.
Oncogene - promoter in a DNA strand that turns a normal
cells into a cancer cell.
Carcinogen – substance that promotes cancer, 3 types
1-
Chemical – metals, drugs, chemicals (in cigarettes)
2-
Biological – viruses that attack normal cells (AIDS)
3-
Physical – (environmental) exposure to radiation,
asbestos
Remission – decrease in symptoms of a disease (cancer)
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WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CANCER
Behavior and Environment
80 % related to this factor, ex. Eating habits, tobacco
use, excessive alcohol, air quality, exposure to chemicals,
over exposure to the sun
Heredity
5-7 % family related factor, certain types of cancer may
be a family’s history
Viruses
Have been linked to lymphatic type cancer, HIV is a virus
leading to AIDS, These victims have a hard time fighting
cancer cells, ex. Hodgkin’s disease
TREATMENTS
Surgery – removal of a mass or lump by operating (sometimes
does not remove all of the cancer)
Chemotherapy – using chemicals (chemo) to kill cancer cells
used when cancer can’t be surgically removed
Common side effects of chemotherapy
1. Anemia – affects 50 %, reduces red blood cells which
carry oxygen (fatigue, pale, dizzy, weakness)
2. Depression – from emotional stress
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3. Hair loss – some chemotherapy kills hair cells, will grow
back after treatments are over
4. Loss of appetite – affects cells og digestive system,
taste affected
5. Nausea and vomiting –
Radiation – using x-rays to reduce tumor size before surgery
or to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery,
disadvantage (will destroy surrounding healthy cells)
Immunotherapy – new technology to stimulate the immune
system so your body can fight the cancer
SKIN CANCER
Carcinoma – cancer that begins in cells that cover the organs
(skin)
Basal cell carcinoma – most common skin cancer, 95 % from
sun exposure, slow growing, seldom spreads to other parts
of the body
Squamous cell carcinoma – similar to basal cell
Melanoma – skin cancer that spreads often to internal tissues
and/or organs, most serious skin cancer, sun exposure –
blistering, painful sunburns especially when young
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ABCD Rule to help you remember the important signs of
melanoma
A = ASYMMETRY – one half does not match the other half
(fig. 2)
B = BORDER IRREGULARITY – the edges are ragged,
notched, blurred (fig. 3)
C = COLOR – The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of
tan, brown, black are present. Red, white and blue may
add to the mottled appearance (fig. 4)
D = DIAMETER GREATER THAN 6 MILLIMETERS – Any
sudden or continuing increase in size should be of special
concern (fig. 5)
THE 7 WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER – C A U T I O N
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Change in bowel or bladder
A sore that doesn’t heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump
Indigestion that is persistent
Obvious change in wart or mole
Nagging cough
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LIFESTYLE AND CANCER
Risk Factors - exposure to dangers
Tobacco – single greatest cause of cancer, responsible for 7585% of lung cancers, most common fatal cancer in US
Secondary smoke – smoke inhaled as a result of being next to
people who smoke
Diet and nutrition – high fat diets, charred foods contain
carcinogenic tars, obesity is a risk factor
Alcohol consumption – alcohol is a promoter, promoters cause
healthy cells to turn cancerous
Sunlight – over exposure to UV rays, main cause of skin cancer,
SPF 15+ reduces the risk, fair skinned at greater risk due to
less melanin in pigment (melanin blocks UV rays)
EXAMINATIONS
1. Breast Self Exam
2. Colon and rectal exam
3. Testicular exam
4. Pap Test
5. Skin examination
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IDEAS TO CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
Foods that fight cancer – fruits, berries, broccoli, tomatoes,
garlic, olive oil, grapes, bran, cold water fish, soy, green tea,
Use whole wheat rather than white flour
To keep fit try walking and jogging
Avoid alcohol
Decrease portion sizes – for weight control
Cut down on fat – use low fat and avoid frying
Use less salt
Don’t eat charred foods from the grill – they contain
carcinogens
Refrigerate foods quickly
Eat foods that contain antioxidants (compounds that protect
DNA)
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