Cancer (3:23) Click here to launch video Click here to download print activity

Cancer takes many different forms and can affect people of all ages.

cancer tumor benign malignant metastasis carcinogen biopsy remission

What Is Cancer? Cancer has a variety of forms and affects different areas of the body. When abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and uncontrollably, they can build up inside otherwise normal tissue.

What Is Cancer? Cancer occurs when abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and uncontrollably, building up inside otherwise normal tissue and spreading through the body. Cancer Uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells

How Cancer Harms the Body When abnormal cells build up in the body, they can form a tumor. Tumor an abnormal mass of tissue that has no natural role in the body

How Cancer Harms the Body A benign tumor grows slowly and is surrounded by membranes that prevent it from spreading. Benign Non-cancerous

How Cancer Harms the Body A malignant tumor spreads to neighboring tissues and enters the blood or lymph to travel to other parts of the body. Malignant Cancerous

How Cancer Harms the Body Metastasis is the process that occurs when a malignant tumor spreads to other parts of the body. Metastasis The spread of cancer from the point where it originated to other parts of the body

Types of Cancer Lymphomas Leukemias Carcinomas Sarcomas Cancers of the immune system Leukemias Cancers of the blood-forming organs Cancers of the glands and body linings, including the skin and the linings of the digestive tract and lungs Carcinomas Cancers of connective tissue, such as bones, ligaments, and muscles Sarcomas

Types of Cancer Organ Affected Some Risk Factors Skin Breast Prostate Exposure to UV radiation Breast Genetic factors, obesity, alcohol use, physical inactivity Prostate Possible hereditary link, possible link to high-fat diet Lung Exposure to cigarette smoke, radon, or asbestos Colon/Rectum A diet that is high in fat and low in fiber Mouth Use of tobacco, chewing tobacco, or alcohol Cervix History of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) Testicle Undescended testicle, family history of testicular cancer

Risk Factors for Cancer Risk factors for cancer include lifestyle behaviors. When the immune system is weak or the abnormal cells multiply faster than the immune system can destroy them, cancer may develop.

Many cancers develop because of exposure to a carcinogen. Carcinogens Many cancers develop because of exposure to a carcinogen.   Carcinogen Cancer-causing substance

Tobacco Use The number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States is tobacco use.   At least 43 different carcinogens have been identified in tobacco and tobacco smoke.

Tobacco Use 215,000 cases of smoking-related lung cancer are diagnosed each year. 87 percent of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. 30 percent of all other cancers are linked to tobacco use.

Tobacco Use This person’s cancer may have been caused by using smokeless tobacco.

Radiation The glow of a suntan is actually your skin’s reaction to damage from the sun.   UV radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Human papillomavirus, or HPV, can cause cervical cancer. Some sexually transmitted viruses have the ability to cause cancer. Hepatitis B virus can cause liver cancer.

Dietary Factors About 30 percent of all cancer deaths are caused by dietary risk factors.   A diet that is high in fat and low in fiber is often linked with colon, breast, and prostate cancers.

Reducing Your Risk You can reduce your risk of cancer by practicing healthful behaviors. One of the most frightening aspects of cancer is that it seems to strike people at random.

        Reducing Your Risk Protect your skin from UV radiation.  Avoid tobacco and alcohol.  Practice abstinence from sexual activity.  Be physically active.  Maintain a healthy weight.  Eat nutritious foods.  Follow an eating plan that is low in saturated fat and high in fiber.  Recognize the warning signs of cancer. 

Detecting and Treating Cancer Successful cancer treatment depends on early detection and the right kind of treatment. The survival rate for people with cancer depends on two main factors: early detection and the type of cancer.

Detecting and Treating Cancer Early detection is the most critical factor in successful cancer treatment.   Early detection depends on both self-examination and medical examination.

Detecting and Treating Cancer Self-examination involves checking your own body for possible signs of cancer.   Many types of cancer, including those of the breasts, testicles, and skin, are discovered early through self-examination.

Detecting and Treating Cancer Medical examination, or medical screening, involves testing by a doctor for early signs of cancer.   About half of all new cancer cases each year are detected during a routine medical screening.

Detecting and Treating Cancer If a doctor thinks cancer is a possibility, a biopsy may be ordered to determine whether cancer is present. Biopsy The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination

Detecting and Treating Cancer Warning Signs Of Cancer Change in bowel habits or bladder function Sores that will not heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump in breast or other body part Indigestion or trouble swallowing Change in wart or mole Nagging cough or hoarseness

Treatment Options Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Removes some or all of the cancerous masses from the body Surgery Radiation Therapy Uses radioactive substances to kill cancer cells and shrink cancerous masses Chemotherapy Uses chemicals to destroy cancer cells Activates a person’s immune system to recognize specific cancers and destroy them Immunotherapy Hormone Therapy Uses medicines to interfere with the production of certain hormones that help cancer cells grow

Treatment Options When treatment works and the cancer is either gone or under control, the cancer is said to be in remission. Remission a period of time when symptoms disappear

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary What is metastasis? The spread of cancer from the point where it originated to other parts of the body

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary What are the two important methods for early cancer detection? Self-examination and medical examination

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary Identify three cancer treatment options. Any three: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy