1. Eph 5:15

2.  The uncontrolable growth of abnormal cells  The body is always producing cells, but sometimes the body begins to produce abnormal cells ▪ The abnormal growth of tissue is called a tumor ▪ Some tumors are benign – noncancerous  Generally are not dangerous, simply need to be removed to allow body parts to properly function ▪ Some tumors are malignant – cancerous  Dangerous because it will spread to other parts of the body  These cells kill healthy cells, and put pressure on organs

3.  Your immune system usually destroys abnormal cells  But if the immune system is weakened, or the number of cancer cells is overwhelming, cancer develops  5-10% of cancers are hereditary  60% of cancers cane be prevented through healthy choices ▪ Smoking, exposure to UV light

4.  Cancer is classified by the tissue it affects  Lymphomas – immune system  Leukemias – blood-forming organs  Carcinomas – glands, body linings (skin, intestine)  Sarcomas – connective tissues, bones, musle

5.  Skin (1 million cases a year) - exposure to UV light  Breast (205,000 cases a year) – genetic factors, obesity, alcohol use, physical activity can contribute  Prostrate – (189,000) – mostly men over 55, partially hereditary and link to high fat diet  Lung (169,400) – smoke, asbestos  Colon/Rectum (148,00) – age  Mouth (30,000) – use of tobacco/alcohol

6.  Tobacco Use is the major cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.  About 87% if lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking  Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)- can cause cervical and liver cancer  Diet – diets high in fat and low in fiber contribute to cancer  Radiation – exposure to UV light

7.  Again we see that many types of cancer come from poor decisions on our part  When we don’t take care of our bodies as God has attended, things can happen to make our lives very difficult  Not all cancer is a result of our poor decisions, but there are many forms we could avoid (Eph 5:15: “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise…”

8.  The earlier it is detected, the better the chance of survival  There are numerous self-exams for breast, testes, and skin  Regular medical visits will look for early warning signs

9.  Surgery – removes some or all of cancerous masses  Radiation therapy – aims rays for radioactive substances at cancerous cells, killing the cells  Chemotherapy – using chemicals to kill cells  Immunotherapy – activates immune system t recognize and destroy cancerous cells  Hormone Therapy – medicine that interferes with the production of hormones.

10.  C – change in bowel habits  A – a sore that does not heal  U – unusual bleeding or discharge  T – Thickening of lump  I – Indigestion or difficulty swallowing  O – obvious change in wart or mole  N – nagging cough of hoarseness