What is cancer? Introduction Can anyone tell me what is cancer?

(pe-di-a-tric on-co-lo-gist) A doctor that takes care of kids with Cancer. I am a doctor that takes care of kids with unhealthy cells called Cancer. Let me tell you more about Cancer.

How many of you remember my friend Dr How many of you remember my friend Dr. Khoury that visited with you last week? Do you remember what he talked to you about?

Cells Dr. Khoury talked to you about cells. Who can tell me what a cell is? The cell is the basic unit of life. Our body is made up of millions and millions of tiny cells. They all divide to make new cells.

Unhealthy Cells Sometimes these cells do not divide normally and become unhealthy cells.

When cells do not divide normally and keep dividing the cause a disease of unhealthy cells called Cancer. Cancer can happen in different parts of the body.

Do you know someone who has Cancer?

Cancer in Kids is NOT common Most of the time when you hear about someone having cancer it will be an adult. Cancer in children does not happen very often. You may never meet anyone who had cancer when they were a child.

What causes cancer? Don’t know exactly Doctors and Scientists are working hard to find what causes it and the best treatments We don’t know exactly why some kids get cancer. Doctors and scientists do know a lot about childhood cancers Cancer isn’t like a cold, the flu, or the chickenpox. Germs don’t cause cancer. So, you can’t catch cancer from someone else. People do not get cancer because of anything they think or say. Doctors and Scientists are working hard to find the best treatments for all types of cancer.

How do I know if I have cancer? Only a doctor can tell if a person has cancer Only a doctor can find out if a person has cancer. If a doctor thinks a child might have cancer, he or she can do many things to figure out if it is cancer or some other illness. These tests are used to find all types of diseases not just cancer. Physical exam- listening to and checking all parts of a child’s body Blood tests- sometimes the blood can tell the doctor if cancer cells are in the body X-rays- pictures of what is inside the body to see if there are cancer cells Biopsy- a small piece of tissue is taken out of the body and looked at under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells

Most kids who are treated for cancer go on to live healthy lives Cancer can be treated Cancer can be treated. Most children who are treated for cancer go on to live healthy lives. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a hospital that treats children with cancer. Kids who have cancer still like the same fun things that you like to do. Sometimes, while they have cancer treatments, they don’t feel well and can’t do all the things they would like to do. There are many different ways to treat cancer. Most kids who are treated for cancer go on to live healthy lives

Medicines Most kids with cancer receive medicines to get rid of the cancer cells. Most kids with cancer receive medicine to get rid of the cancer cells. These cancer-fighting medicines are called chemotherapy “chemo” for short.

Invisible rays to get rid of cancer cells. Radiation Invisible rays to get rid of cancer cells. Radiation is the use of invisible rays to get rid of cancer cells.

Take out cancer cells. Surgery Surgery is another way of removing cells. Sometimes cancer grows into a clump of cells called a tumor. During surgery, the doctor tries to take out as much of the tumor (cancer cells) as possible.

Side Effects Feeling tired Not feeling hungry or feeling very hungry Hair loss Nausea (upset stomach) and throwing up Red skin that is sore or itchy Treatments can also cause other things to happen to the body. Radiation and chemo are good at getting rid of cancer cells. Sometimes these treatments can harm healthy cells, too, and may cause side effects. Doctors and Nurses are at the hospital to help the kids that have side effects. Most of the side effects go away after treatment is done. Doctors and nurses are at the hospital all day and night to help cancer patients who are having side effects.

When a doctor cannot find any more cancer cells Remission When a doctor cannot find any more cancer cells Today, more kids are living without cancer because of research and better treatments. Remission (ree-MIH-shun) is when a doctor cannot find any more cancer cells in the body. At St. Jude, the staff has a big celebration each time a child finishes treatment. There is hope that all children with cancer will have treatments and live without cancer.

How can I help? Be kind Don’t be afraid, you can’t catch cancer Learn more about science Have HOPE There are many things you can do today and in the future to help people with cancer. Be kind to kids who have diseases or other health problems. Don’t be afraid of a kid or anyone else who has cancer. Remember, you can’t catch cancer like you would catch a cold. Learn more about science and medicine. You might become a doctor or scientist one day and help find new treatments for cancer. Have hope that we will discover more ways to treat cancer.

Cancer is a disease of unhealthy cells Cancer is not contagious Big Thoughts Cancer is a disease of unhealthy cells Cancer is not contagious Cancer in children does not happen very often Cancer can be treated in many ways

Most children treated for cancer go on to live normal lives Big Thoughts Most children treated for cancer go on to live normal lives