CANCER By: Amanda Herrod

What Is Cancer? Cancer is a disease which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer forms lumps or masses called tumors.

Causes & Risks Tobacco; The National Cancer Institute says smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. and is responsible for 87% of cases of lung cancer. It doesn’t only affect the lungs, it also can cause kidney, pancreatic, cervical, and stomach cancers and acute myeloid leukemia. Physical Activity; Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week lowers the risk of cancer. Exercises like yoga, aerobics, walking, and running. Genetics; If you have a family history of cancer, take extra precautions is vital. When cancer is genetic, a mutated gene has been passed down. Also, keep in mind, if cancer is in your family history, it doesn’t mean you will develop it. You just have a greater chance of developing it.

Causes & Risks cont’d Environmental Factors; The environment you are in can cause cancer. Being exposed to asbestos, which is a group of minerals found in housing and industrial building materials can cause a variety of medical problems, such as mesothelioma. Also, people who are exposed o high amounts of benzene, which is a chemical found in gasoline, smoking, and pollution, are at risk for cancer as well. Unsafe Sex; Having unsafe sex can increase your risk of developing a virus called HPV/ HPV is a group of over 100 viruses, medically known as human papilloma virus. HPV increases your risk factor for cervical, anal, vulvar and vaginal cancer. Sun Exposure; Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the UV rays of the sun. A sunburn, or a tan I actually the result of cell damage caused by the sun. Skin cancer can be prevented in most cases. Wearing sunscreen when outdoors and staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.p., when the sun’s rays are strongest I your best defense.

Signs & Symptoms Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any sign or symptom. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread, signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. As cancer grows, it can begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness, or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply, or they may release substances that change the way the body makes energy from food. Treatment works best when cancer is found early. Finding cancer early usually means it can be treated while it is still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if the cancer can be removed with surgery.

General Cancer Signs Unexplained weight loss Fever Fatigue Pain Skin Changes

Benign & Malignant Tumors Benign Tumors Growth that is not cancerous Localized and does not spread to other parts of the body or invade and destroy nearby tissue Not harmful and usually grow slow Can usually be removed and in most cases they never come back Malignant Tumors Tumors that are cancerous Cancer cells invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor Cancer cells break away from a malignant tumor and enter in the lymphatic system or the bloodstream

Benign & Malignant Tumors cont’d

Top 5 Cancers in Men in The United States Prostate Cancer Lung Cancer Colon and Rectum Cancer Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Bladder Cancer

Treatments Chemotherapy Radiation Therapy Surgery Other treatment methods include angiogenesis inhibitors, biological therapy, lasers in cancer treatment, targeted cancer therapies, bone marrows,