CANCER UNIT Cancer has touched the lives of many people. The purpose of this unit is to help you understand cancer.

FILL IN THE BLANK start with the left column CELLS DIVIDE NEW DAMAGED OLD CELLS NUCLEUS JOB DIVIDE WHEN TO QUIT DIVIDING NUCLEUS UNABLE GROW OUT OF CONTROL CANCER HEALTHY MASS LUMP TUMOR BLOOD STREAM BLOOD LYMPH SYSTEM

4 MOST COMMON CANCERS BREAST COLON LUNG PROSTATE

UNIT VOCABULARY Tumor - groups of cells that divide too much and form masses. – Benign Tumor – not cancerous, can interfere with body functions, surgery to remove, does not spread. – Malignant Tumor – cancerous, spreads to other body parts and destroys normal tissues. Metastasize – a malignant tumor breaking away to other parts of the body, the cancer spreading.

Vocab cont. Oncologist – doctor specializing in cancer care. Biopsy – removal of cells for examination. Oncogene - promoter in a DNA strand that turns a normal cells into a cancer cell.

Vocab cont. Carcinogen – substance that promotes cancer, 3 types – Chemical – metals, drugs, chemicals (in cigarettes) – Biological – viruses that attack normal cells (AIDS) – Physical – (environmental) exposure to radiation, asbestos Remission – decrease in symptoms of a disease (cancer)

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CAUSES? Behavior and Environment 80 % related to this factor, ex. Eating habits, tobacco use, excessive alcohol, air quality, exposure to chemicals, over exposure to the sun Heredity 5-7 % family related factor, certain types of cancer may be a family’s history Viruses Have been linked to lymphatic type cancer, HIV is a virus leading to AIDS, These victims have a hard time fighting cancer cells, ex. Hodgkin’s disease

TREATMENTS Surgery – removal of a mass or lump by operating (sometimes does not remove all of the cancer)

TREATMENTS CONT. Chemotherapy – using chemicals (chemo) to kill cancer cells used when cancer can’t be surgically removed Common side effects of chemotherapy Anemia – affects 50 %, reduces red blood cells which carry oxygen (fatigue, pale, dizzy,weakness) Depression – from emotional stress Hair loss- some chemotherapy kills hair cells, will grow back after treatments are over Loss of appetite – affects cells og digestive system, taste affected Nausea and vomiting –

TREATMENTS CONT. Radiation – using x-rays to reduce tumor size before surgery or to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery, disadvantage (will destroy surrounding healthy cells) Immunotherapy – new technology to stimulate the immune system so your body can fight the cancer

SKIN CANCER Carcinoma – cancer that begins in cells that cover the organs (skin) 2 types melanoma and nonmelanoma NONMELANOMA – 2 TYPES – Basal cell carcinoma – most common skin cancer, 95 % caused by sun exposure, slow growing, seldom spreads to other parts of the body. – Squamous cell carcinoma – similar to basal cell Melanoma – less common but more serious than non. skin cancer that spreads often to internal tissues and/or organs (METASTASIS), most serious skin cancer, from sun exposure and blistering, painful sunburns especially when young

ABCD Rule to help you remember the important signs of melanoma A = ASYMMETRY – one half does not match the other half (fig. 2) B = BORDER IRREGULARITY – the edges are ragged, notched, blurred (fig. 3) C = COLOR – The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, black are present. Red, white and blue may add to the mottled appearance (fig. 4) D = DIAMETER GREATER THAN 6 MILLIMETERS – Any sudden or continuing increase in size should be of special concern (fig. 5)

THE 7 WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER – C A U T I O N Change in bowel or bladder A sore that doesn’t heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump Indigestion that is persistent Obvious change in wart or mole Nagging cough

LIFESTYLE AND CANCER Risk Factors - exposure to dangers Tobacco – single greatest cause of cancer, responsible for 75-85% of lung cancers, most common fatal cancer in US Secondary smoke – smoke inhaled as a result of being next to people who smoke Diet and nutrition – high fat diets, charred foods contain carcinogenic tars, obesity is a risk factor Alcohol consumption – alcohol is a promoter, promoters cause healthy cells to turn cancerous Sunlight – over exposure to UV rays, main cause of skin cancer, SPF 15+ reduces the risk, fair skinned at greater risk due to less melanin in pigment (melanin blocks UV rays)

EXAMINATIONS Breast Self Exam Colon and rectal exam Testicular exam Pap Test (cervix) Skin examination

IDEAS TO CUT YOUR CANCER RISK fruits, berries, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, grapes, bran, cold water fish, soy, green tea, ***cruciferous Use whole wheat rather than white flour walking and jogging Avoid alcohol for weight control use low fat and avoid frying Use less salt they contain carcinogens Refrigerate foods quickly Eat foods that contain antioxidants (compounds that protect DNA)