CANCER What do you need to know?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y38pgPY6Zq0 What do you need to know??

What is Cancer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeUANxFVXKc Group of 100+ different diseases. Starts with abnormal and unregulated growth of cells – this forms a tumor. The cycle is regulated by proteins called CYCLINS, whose concentrations tell the cell when to proceed. The growth destroys tissues and may spread to other parts (metastasis). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEpTTolebqo

Most Common Types: Skin Cancer (melanoma) Lung Cancer Breast Cancer (females) Prostate Cancer (males)

Who gets it? Cancer can occur anywhere in the body, at ANY time. Caused by genetic damage inside a cell, some are hereditary. Not contagious (for the most part) Some people engage in high risk behaviors.

Tumor pictures:

How does our body try to prevent this? Tumor suppressor genes play a critical role in regulating when cells are allowed to divide and increase in number. When DNA damage is detected in a cell, some tumor suppressor genes can stop the cell from multiplying until the damage is repaired. Also, specific tumor suppressor genes can stimulate cells with damaged DNA to commit "cell suicide“ (apoptosis!!). When tumor suppressor genes don't function correctly, the cells with DNA damage continue to divide and can accumulate further DNA damage that can eventually lead to the formation of a cancer cell. P53 gene- has been described as "the guardian of the genome" because of its role in conserving stability by preventing genome mutation. In humans, p53 is a gene located on the short arm of chromosome 17. If this gene has a mutation and doesn’t work – cancer often will occur!

Causes: Gene mutations from UV radiation, carcinogens Defective p53 (supposed to prevent abnormal genes from surviving) Chromosomal abnormality Viruses – but there is a vaccine! (cervical cancer)

Carcinogens: Increase the risks of getting cancer Asbestos – in lungs Formaldehyde - preservative Tobacco (smoking or chewing) UV radiation, x rays

Treatments: 1)Surgery Oldest way – remove tumor and layer of surrounding cells. Typical for breast, colon, mouth, brain.

2) Radiation: Beam of x-rays are directed at tumor May shrink tumor so that surgery is then a possibility. Sometimes kills good cells too.

3) Chemotherapy: Potent drugs that kill cancer (any quickly dividing) cells while attempting to limit damage to normal cells. Useful to kill cells that have spread and may not be seen. Side effects: nausea, hair loss, infection, other types of cancer, because it kills those cells too!

Cancer Prevention: 2 out of 3 people can avoid cancer by living a healthy life- style. Don’t smoke!! Limit alcohol Be physical – limit weights Reduce exposure to carcinogens Use sunscreen – don’t tan often or using tanning beds!

When to be concerned? Early prevention is your best option!

New ideas: Immunotherapy Cancer-fighting vaccines Gene therapy Stem cell research promising, although controversial Cancer fighting viruses Nanoparticles http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/21/health/cancer-program/index.html

AP – How do viruses cause cancer? Viruses can also contribute to cancer by inserting their DNA into a chromosome in a host cell. Insertion of the virus DNA directly into a proto-oncogene may mutate the gene into an oncogene, resulting in a tumor cell. Insertion of the virus DNA near a gene in the chromosome that regulates cell growth and division can increase transcription of that gene, also resulting in a tumor cell. Using a different mechanism, human papillomavirus makes proteins that bind to two tumor suppressors, p53 protein and RB protein, transforming these cells into tumor cells. Remember that these viruses contribute to cancer, they do not by themselves cause it. Cancer, as we have seen, requires several events.