Download Cancer

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 Definition: Cancer is the
uncontrolled growth of
cells in a part of the body.
 Main Concept: Although
there are many kinds of
cancer, they all start
because of out-of-control
growth of abnormal cells.
Characteristic #1:
Mutation
 Cancer cells develop because of
mutations (damage to DNA). Most of
the time when DNA becomes damaged
the body is able to repair it. In cancer
cells, the damaged DNA is not
repaired. People can inherit damaged
DNA, which accounts for inherited
cancers. More often, though, a person's
DNA becomes damaged by exposure to
something in the environment, like
smoking.
Characteristic #2:
Metastasis
Often, cancer cells travel to
other parts of the body.
Once in another part of the
body they begin to grow and
replace normal tissue. This
process is called metastasis.
 Characteristic #3:
Undifferentiated
Cancer cells are immature or "primitive".
They do not look or act like the cells in the
tissue from which they arose
 Characteristic #4: Lack Cell Cycle Signals
Cancer cells have mutations in the genes
that control the cell cycle. Some of these
genes tell the cell cycle to proceed, in other
words they are "go" genes like the accelerator
in your car. Some of these genes tell the cell
cycle to stop (gene p53) when the cell is done
dividing and no more cells are needed. They
are like the brake on your car. If either of
these are mutated, it causes the cell cycle to
go too fast, like having your accelerator stuck
to the floor or losing your brakes. So the
cancer cells divide too fast and pile up in one
area, this is called a tumor.
What are some treatments of cancer you have
heard of?
What are some side effects from treatment?
 Treatment #1:
Surgery
Surgery is the oldest form of
cancer treatment. Surgery
offers the greatest chance for
cure for many types of cancer,
especially those that have not
spread to other parts of the
body. Most people with
cancer will have some type of
surgery.
Treatment #2:
Radiation
Cancer cells reproduce faster than
normal cells in the body.
Radiation therapy targets these
rapidly dividing cells. The
radiation reacts with water in the
cells and this reaction damages
the DNA or genetic material in the
cell that controls cell growth.
Normally, cells can repair
themselves and continue growing.
But since cancer cells can't repair
themselves as easily, they die.
Although normal cells are also
affected, they repair themselves
more effectively.
Treatment #3:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy damages the genes inside the
nucleus of cells. Some drugs damage cells at
the point of splitting. Some damage them
while they are busy making copies of all their
genes before they split. Cells that are at rest
(most normal cells, for instance) are much
less likely to be damaged by chemo
1. What are some side effects from treatment?
What is normal female fertility, and how is it affected by
cancer treatment?
What is normal male fertility, and how is it affected by
cancer treatment?
2. Explain how cancer treatment affects a female’s and a
male’s reproductive system?
Similarities?
Differences?
3. What fertility preservation options are available for
men and women before undergoing cancer treatment?
What fertility preservation options are
available for 9-year-old Jen?