Chronic Non-Infectious: Cancer Team #2: Andrea Edwards, Kadeedra Perteet, Rachel Rosenson, Matthew Perutz, Mariela Vega

Table Of Contents What is it? What causes the disease? Who’s at risk? What are the symptoms? How is it treated? How can it be prevented? Relevant Statistics and research Other information References cited Quiz

What is Leukemia/Cancer? It is cancer of the blood or bone marrow (which produces blood cells). A person who has leukemia suffers from an abnormal production of blood cells, generally white blood cells. The DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, becomes damaged in some way. This abnormality causes the blood cells to grow and divide chaotically. The abnormal blood cells do not die so easily, and accumulate, occupying more and more space. As more and more space is occupied by these faulty blood cells there is less space for the normal cells - and the sufferer becomes ill. Quite simply, the bad cells crowd out the good cells in the blood. http://video.about.com/cancer/Chronic-Myeloid-Leukemia.htm

What causes the disease? More than 90% of cases are due to a gene abnormality caused when two chromosomes swap sections with each other. There are 23 chromosomes in humans, and in patients with leukemia chromosomes 9 and 22 within blood cells exchange bits of genetic material. The new gene on this chromosome makes a protein that allows white blood cells to grow out of control. These abnormal white blood cells tend not to become old and die.

Who is at risk? Radiation: People exposed to very high levels of radiation Atomic bomb explosions: Very high levels of radiation have been caused by atomic bomb explosions (People, especially children, who survive atomic bomb explosions are at increased risk of leukemia. Radiation therapy: Another source of exposure to high levels of radiation is medical treatment for cancer and other conditions. Smoking: Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of acute myeloid leukemia. Benzene: Exposure to benzene in the workplace can cause acute myeloid leukemia.

Who is at risk?(cont.) Chemotherapy: Cancer patients treated with certain types of cancer-fighting drugs Down syndrome and certain other inherited diseases increase the risk of developing acute leukemia. Myelodysplastic syndrome and certain other blood disorders are at increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) are at increased risk of a rare type of leukemia known as adult T-cell leukemia

What are some symptoms? Swollen lymph nodes that usually don't hurt (especially lymph nodes in the neck or armpit) Fevers or night sweats Frequent infections Feeling weak or tired Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin) Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from a swollen spleen or liver) Weight loss for no known reason Pain in the bones or joints

How is the disease treated? The options are watchful waiting, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. If your spleen is enlarged, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove it.

How can it be prevented? AVOID: Primary-Cigarette smoking. 1 in every 4 cases of AML is linked to smoking. Secondary-Exposure to benzene. It is used mainly is gasoline, however is contained in other things such as paints, solvents, plastics, pesticides and detergents. People who work in the manufacturing of these products may be putting themselves at risk for leukemia. Tertiary-Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Statistics & Research The American Cancer Society estimated that 35,070 men and women (20,000 men and 15,070 women) would be diagnosed with leukemia Leukemia 27.1 percent out of the most common types of cancer in children ages 0 to 19 years.

Other Info The age-adjusted death rate for leukemia was 7.6 per 100,000 men and women per year. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Quiz Q:What is Leukemia? A: cancer of the blood or bone marrow Q:Which blood cells does Leukemia primarily affect? A: Mainly white cells How many cases of leukemia directly affected by smoking? A: 1 out of 4 Q:What are some symptoms of leukemia? A:Weakness, weigh t loss, fever Q: Are cancer patients more at risk for leukemia? If so, why? A:They are. Radiation treatment can end up causing Leukemia Q: What percent of kids with cancer have leukemia? A: 27.1% Q: Can leukemia be treated? Yes, with chemical/radiation therapy

References http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142595.php http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/article.htm http://cancer.about.com/od/leukemia/a/leukemiaprevent.htm http://www.leukemia.org/all_page?item_id=9346