Download Cancer - District 158

Cancer
 Cancer-a
disease that occurs when
abnormal cells grow out of control.

The body is made up of more than 50 trillion
cells, both normal and abnormal.
• The body’s natural defenses usually destroy
abnormal cells, but sometimes they survive and
reproduce.

Tumor-group of abnormal cells that form a
mass.
• Benign tumor-not cancerous and doesn’t spread.
• Malignant tumor-is cancerous and may spread to
other parts of the body.
Types of Cancer
 Breast

cancer
Risk factors include:
• Family history
• Age; more common in women over 50
• Can occur in younger women and men

Important facts:
• Breast cancer is the second major cause of cancer
death among women.
Types of Cancer
 Reproductive

Risk factors
•
•
•
•

Cancers
Age
Family history
Obesity
smoking
Important facts
• Females-cervix, ovaries, uterus
• Males-prostate gland, testicles
Types of Cancer
 Colon

and rectum cancer
Risk factors
• High-fat, low-fiber diet
• Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity)
• smoking

Important facts
• Cases have declined due to increased cancer
screening and better treatments.
Types of Cancer
 Leukemia

Risk factors
• Not known, may be linked to certain types of
radiation and chemicals.

Important facts
• Causes a rise in abnormal white blood cells.

Hinders the body’s production of healthy blood cells.
Types of Cancer
 Lung

cancer
Risk factors
• SMOKING!!!!

Important facts
• This is the largest cause of cancer death.

Nearly 80% of all cases are related to smoking.
Types of Cancer
 Lymphoma

Risk factors
• Not known but may be exposure to certain
infections.

Important facts
• Weakens the immune system, leaving the body
more vulnerable to infection.
Types of Cancer
 Skin

cancer
Risk factors
• Sun exposure
• Light skin, hair, and eye coloring

Important facts
• This is the most common form of cancer in the
United States.
• Some types of skin cancer are easier to treat than
others.
Causes of Cancer
 Some
cancers can be linked to inherited
traits, behavior choices and environmental
factors.
 Carcinogens-are substances in the
environment that causes cancer.

A person must be exposed to a carcinogen for
a long period of time for cancer to develop.
• Tobacco
minerals/chemicals
• Ultraviolet rays from the sun -air/water pollution
• Radiation
-high fat/low fiber
Combating Cancer
 Early
detection is the key to defeating
cancer.


Get regular checkups.
Perform self-examinations.
• Look for any unusual changes in you body.


Lumps
Moles changing colors or size
What Doctors Can Do
 Surgery-is
the primary treatment for may
types of cancer.



Doctors remove the tumors and other
cancerous cells.
Most effective when cancer is confined to one
area of the body.
Used on breast, skin, lung, and colon cancer.
What Doctors Can Do
 Radiation
therapy-treatment for some
types of cancer that uses X-rays or other
forms of radioactivity.


Works best when cancer is limited to one
area.
Also used to kill any cancer cells that may
remain after surgery.
What Doctors Can Do
 Chemotherapy-the
use of powerful drugs
to destroy cancer cells.


Used to stop cancers that have spread
throughout the body.
Also used to shrink tumors before surgery is
performed.
Side Effects
 All
of the cancer treatments have side
effects.




The destruction of healthy cells.
Nausea
Fatigue
Temporary hair loss
What You Can Do
 While
there are no guaranteed ways to
prevent cancer you can make choices to
lower the risk of developing cancer by:






Avoiding tobacco
Take action to detect cancer early
Limit fat intake
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Go easy on grilled meats
Limit salt intake
What You Can Do
 Limit


sun exposure
Avoid sun between 10 am and 4 pm UV rays
are strongest.
Wear sunscreen at least SPF 15
 Perform


self-exams
Breast and testicular monthly
Moles
• Asymmetry
• Color
-Border irregularity
-Diameter
What You Can Do
 Know







the warning signs
Change in bowel or bladder habits.
A sore that doesn’t heal.
Unusual bleeding or discharge.
Thickening or lump in breast or testicles.
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
Obvious change in wart or mole.
Nagging cough or hoarseness.