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Understanding Cancer
Names______Meghan T. and Ashley S.__________
Section 1: Factors Reported to Be Associated with Cancer
Visit http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/Cancer/activities/activity2_videos.htm to fill out the
following chart. View the News Alert videos and use the information provided to identify what each video
suggests is the cause of cancer and what evidence supports that claim.
News Alert Video
Cancer and Chemical
Poisons
Cancer and Your
Family History
Cancer and
Radiation Exposure
Cancer and UV Light
Factor Proposed to Cause Cancer
Chimney sweepers have a chance to get
cancer from their job
Evidence
The coal and ash can flame up and cause a
cancer burn. Example: Lung Cancer
A boy had cancer in his eye and was
cured and had seven children but two of
the girls got that same cancer and died
three months later.
The cancer can be transmitted from
parents to children or family generations
just like hair and eye color can.
Technicians have a high rate of getting
Skin cancer from the rays they are
exposed to. While the one’s being x-rayed
are not as likely since they are not
exposed as oftenly.
They are exposed to them for many hours.
Advice is said that the technicians should
turn the machine off when adjusting them
and when they are recharging they should
leave the room.
The sun because of the UV-rays causes
the cancer and burns.
Not enough sunscreen and a different
swim suit that shows off more skin can
cause the burns and then lead to cancer.
Section 2: Building an Explanation for the Cause of Cancer
View the animations on the website by clicking on “cell cycle animations.” Think about the information each
animation presents. Then, write a one-sentence statement for each that summarizes what you learned.
Animation 1:
Cancer involves . . . when a cell breaks off and does its own thing and divides too much. It involves the cells
and then can cause cancers
Animation 2:
Cell division normally is . . . a cell cycle clock- goes from g1 (growth) to s (protein synthesis) to g2 (DNA
replication) then goes to mitosis checkpoint.
Animation 3:
Cell cycle regulation is accomplished by . . . genes- such as proto-oncogene- encourage cell division and tumor
suppressor genes- act as a stimulator to grow and divide.
Animation 4:
Cancer-causing agents often . . . can also change the DNA (mutations), powerful mutagens- cause mutations.
Animation 5:
When damage occurs to genes that regulate the cell cycle . . . proto-oncogenes can then change to just
oncogenes which are one that stimulate excessive cell division. And the tumor suppressor genes become
inactive.
Section 3: Explaining Factors Associated with Cancer
Review your notes from Section 1. Then, write a sentence that describes how our current understanding of
cancer explains the role that each factor plays in causing cancer.
Cancer and Chemical Poisons
Cancer and Your Family History
Cancer and Radiation Exposure
Cancer and UV Light
Section 4: How does chemotherapy work?
Visit http://www.enile.co.uk/portfolio/cancer/lymph03.html to answer the following question.
Describe the three types of chemotherapy that are featured in this animation.