Download Statements about Cancer

Station #1 – Cancer
Curriculum Expectations:
 B2.4 – compare, on the basis of observation (e.g. using pictures, videos
or images), the division of cancerous cells and noncancerous cells and
describe the impact of cancerous cells on the humans body
By the end of this station, you should be able to:
 Describe why cancers develop
 Analyze quantitative information concerning cancer diagnoses and
mortality in a given year
 Evaluate truths and myths concerning the growth and spread of cancer
 Begin research on breast or testicular cancer
Materials:
 4 netbooks
 Station #1 package
Station #1 – Cancer
Instructions:
Part 1: Cancer Truth or Cancer Myth: “Your Belief” Survey
Read each cancer statement and evaluate it as a “truth or myth”. See you package for
more detailed instructions.
Part 2 – Cancer Animations
Log on the following website. As you run through the animation, answer the
questions in your package.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/testicular_cancer.html#a
nim
Part 3: Analyzing Quantitative Data
Study Table 1(in your folder) which describes the cancer cases that were
diagnosed in 2004 and the number of deaths for each type of cancer in the
same year. Use the information in Table 1 to answer the questions in your
package.
Part 4: Reading for Evidence
As a team, take turns reading each statement and evaluate if the statement can
be supported by evidence or not (truth or myth). Compare the correct answers
with your original beliefs at the start of this station.
Part 5: Research Testicular or Breast Cancer
Male students will research testicular cancer and female students will research
breast cancer. The information from this research will be used in a subsequent
assignment.
Station #1 – Cancer
Part 1: Cancer Truth or Cancer Myth: “Your Belief” Survey
Below is a survey of 9 statements about cancer (A-I). For the purposes of this survey, a cancer
“Truth” is defined as a statement that you believe is supported by scientific evidence. A Cancer “Myth”
is defined as a statement that you believe is an opinion or an idea that is not supported by scientific
evidence.
For each statement, circle the numbers in the “Your Belief” column that best identifies your belief
whether each statement is a cancer “truth” or a cancer “myth.
1 = I’m sure this is a Cancer Truth.
2 = I think this might be a Cancer Truth.
3 = I think this might be a Cancer Myth.
4 = I’m sure this is a Cancer Myth.
Statements about Cancer
Your Belief
Truth
Myth
A. If your parents had cancer, so will you.
1
2
3
4
B. If you find an abnormal lump on your body, it must be cancer.
1
2
3
4
C. It is possible to have cancer without exhibiting any symptoms or
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
E. Cancer that has metastasized (spread throughout the body) is fatal.
1
2
3
4
F. Everyone with the same type of cancer gets the same kind of
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
warning signs.
D. Young peoples’ lifestyles affect their chances of getting cancer later
in life.
treatment.
G. The only treatments for cancer are surgery, radiation, and
chemotherapy.
H. Cancer is caused by changes in genetic material.
Discuss your beliefs with other members of your group.
Part 2 – Cancer Animations
Log on the following website. Click on the animation.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/testicular_cancer.html#anim
1. What does the nucleus of a cell do?
______________________________________________________________________
2. How is cell division in cancer cells different from cell division in normal (noncancerous) cells?
____________________________________________________________________________
3.
What is a tumor?
____________________________________________________________________________
4. How are benign tumors different from malignant tumors?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. How do cancer cells spread throughout the body?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. What is it called when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body?
_______________________________________________________
Part 3: Analyzing Quantitative Data
Study Table 1(in your duotang) which describes the cancer cases that were
diagnosed in 2004 and the number of deaths for each type of cancer in the
same year. Use the information in Table 1 to answer the questions that follow.
a) How many cancer cases were diagnosed in 2004?
_______________________
b) Of these cases, how many were male patients?
________________________
c) What are the top three cancers that affect males?
________________________, ______________________, _____________________
d) What are the top three cancers that affect females?
________________________, ______________________, ____________________
e) Compare the number of females who get breast cancer with the number who die. Also,
compare the number of females who get lung cancer and die? Are woman more likely to
die from breast cancer or lung cancer?
f) Look through the table and try to find 2 cancers with a high mortality rate. This means
that the number of new cases diagnosed and the number of deaths for that cancer would
be similar.
______________________________________
______________________________________
g) Look through the table and try to find 2 cancers with a low mortality rate. This means that
many more patients are diagnosed with a type of cancer than die from it in the same year.
______________________________________
______________________________________
h) Which cancer has the lowest incidence of occurrence among males? Which cancer has
the lowest incidence of occurrence among females?
In males: _____________________________________________________
In females: ____________________________________________________
Part 4: Reading for Evidence -The answers to the survey
As a team, take turns reading each statement and determine if the statement is a cancer Truth or
Myth. Return to the survey you filled in at the start of the station and highlight the correct answer.
Reading for Evidence: Investigating Truths and Myths about Cancer
A. If your parents had cancer, so will you.
Truth
Myth
While having a family history of certain cancers may increase your risk, it does not automatically mean that you will develop
cancer. Some types of cancer such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer are hereditary. If a parent has
these cancers, the cancer gene may be passed on to an offspring. If a child inherits the gene, it does not mean that the
child will develop cancer. The gene only increases his/her likelihood of developing cancer. Whether the child develops
cancer or not depends on many other factors such as the environment, a person’s lifestyle, and other genes in the cells.
B. If you find an abnormal lump on your body, it must be cancer.
Truth
Myth
Many lumps turn out to be benign tumors or cysts, rather than malignant tumors. For example, 90% of breast lumps are
totally harmless. If you detect an abnormality such as a lump, you should see your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a
procedure known as a biopsy or other tests to determine if the cells in the lump are cancerous.
C. It is possible to have cancer without exhibiting any symptoms or warning signs.
Truth
Myth
Cancer is a complicated disease and there is no sure way to always detect it. Cancer cells can grow anywhere in a person’s
body, sometimes on the skin, or often deep within internal organs. Until the cancer growth reaches a certain size, symptoms
or warning signals may not reveal the presence of cancerous tumors. Many cancers can exist in the body for some time
with no apparent symptoms. By the time you experience symptoms or feel a lump, the cancer may have been there for
many years. Scientists have developed cancer-screening tests that can detect some types cancer in early stages. They
are looking for additional screening tests that can detect other types of cancer before symptoms appear.
D. Young peoples’ lifestyles affect their chances of getting cancer later in life.
Truth
Myth
Most cases of cancer are the result of many years of exposure to several risk factors. What you eat as a young person, or
whether you are physically active, get sunburned regularly, and especially whether you smoke can have a substantial
influence on whether you develop cancer later in life. More than two-thirds of all fatal cancer cases could be prevented with
simple life style changes: eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains; exercising regularly; maintaining a healthy body weight;
using protection against the sun; and especially, not smoking.
E. Cancer that has metastasized (spread throughout the body) is fatal.
Truth
Myth
Yes, cancer can cause death, and if metastasis has occurred, the risk of dying is significantly increased. New
breakthroughs in early detection of cancer and chemotherapy drugs or other treatments have made it possible for an
estimated 40% of cancer patients to reach or exceed the five-year survival mark.
F. Everyone with same stage (or the same kind) of cancer gets the same kind of
treatment.
Truth
Myth
Doctors tailor cancer treatments to the patient. What treatment the patient receives depends on where the cancer is
located, whether or how much it has metastasized, and how it is affecting body functions and general health. In addition,
cells from the same type of cancer many have different features in different people. These differences can affect how the
cells respond to treatment, which in turn may influence the doctor’s recommendations.
G. The only treatments for curing cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Truth
Myth
Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the most common types of cancer treatments. However, there are other cancer
procedures used by doctors that are also proving effective in the treating cancers. Angiogenesis inhibitors (drugs that
reduce the blood supply to tumors), bone marrow transplants, gene therapy, vaccines, hyperthermia, and phototherapy are
just a few of the alternatives being used to target cancer cells more effectively with fewer side effects.
H. Cancer is caused by changes in genetic material.
Truth
Myth
Cancer begins with damage (mutations) in a cell’s DNA. DNA contains a set of chemical instructions for cells, telling
them how to grow and divide. Normal cells often develop mutations in their DNA, but most cells have the ability to
repair most of these mutations. If cells can't make the repairs, the cells often die. However, certain mutations aren't
repaired, causing the cells to grow and become cancerous. Mutations also cause cancer cells to live beyond a normal
cell life span and to spread throughout the body. This causes the cancerous cells to form tumors and to metastasize.
The initial genetic mutation may be present at birth, or occur later in life, but the mutation is just the beginning of the
process by which cancer develops. Scientists believe that a number of mutations within cells have to accumulate in
order for cancer to develop. A person’s genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, and environment may increase the risk for
developing these. For instance, if you inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes you to get cancer, you may be
more likely than other people to develop that cancer when you are exposed to certain cancer-causing substances.
Part 5: Cancer Research
The males in the group will conduct internet research on testicular cancer whereas the
females will research breast cancer.
Research the following:

Age of person most at risk for cancer development

Possible causes (e.g. genetic, environmental, lifestyle)

Early symptoms of diseases (stage 1 and 2)

Late symptoms (of more advanced disease – stage 3 and 4)

Treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, surgery) – explain the main ones

Survival/mortality rate

Prevention (What can you do to prevent a reoccurrence of this type cancer)