1. Cancer
Uncontrolled Mitosis

2. History of Cancer
1600 BC – Tumors found in breast tissue; TX: Cauderization
It was believed that the Gods caused cancer
400 BC – Cancer is named by Hippocrates
It was believed to be caused by too much black bile (humoral theory)
1700s – The Lymph theory of Cancer is prevalent
s – Parasite theory (thought cancer was contagious)

3. History of Cancer 1700s – Connections to lifestyle made
Studies showed nuns had more breast cancer, but very little cervical cancer; a caution was placed on the over use of tobacco; studies showed an increase in scrotal cancer for chimney sweeps
1800s – Cell theory; Chronic irritation theory; Trauma theory
1900s – Recognized as a group of diseases with uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells

4. Cancer Cancer is a group of over 100 diseases
Normal cells grow, divide, and die
When you are young, cells grow and divide at a faster rate so that you grow.
When you are older, most cells only grow and divide in order to replace other worn out, damaged or dead cells.
Cancer starts when cells grow uncontrolled
Proliferation (cell division)
Metastasis – spread of cancer cells to another organ

5. Naming Cancer
Remember there are 3 dermal layers when an embryo is forming…
Caricnoma: Malignant tumors from ectodermal, endodermal, glandular or epithelial origin
Sarcoma: Malignant tumors from mesodermal or connective tissue origins
Teratoma: Used when all three germ layers are present

6. Naming - Subtypes Pattern and Structure can also influence the name
Cyst: Fluid-filled
Adeno: Glandular
Papillo: Finger-like
Polyp: Stalk

7. Benign vs. Malignant Benign Malignant
Well-defined (looks like normal cells)
Encapsulated (has a shell)
Slow growing
Non-invasive
Named with “oma”
Malignant
Undifferentiated
Uncontrolled growth
Invasive (pushing into other tissues)
Named as “carcinoma”, “sarcoma”, or “teratoma”

8. Causes of Cancer Genetics Chemical Carcinogens Infectious Agents
Smoking
Dietary Ingredients
Drugs
Infectious Agents
DNA Viruses: hepatitis B
RNA Viruses: HIV
Bacteria: H. Pylori
Hormonal Factors
Environmental estrogens
Physical Agents
Radiation
Irritants
Sunlight/UV
Diet/Obesity
Low fiber
High fat
Processed foods
Alcohol
Other Factors
Immune disease

9. Screening & Diagnostics
Cancer Screening: Can be used to identify certain types of cancer in someone with no symptoms
Early Detection: Cervical, breast, prostate, colon, rectum and endometrium
Cancer Check: Thyroid, oral cavity, testes, ovaries, skin and lymph nodes
Cancer Diagnostics: Used to confirm a cancer diagnosis in someone with some symptoms
Until the 20th century this meant exploratory surgery
Starting in the 1970s: Ultrasounds, CT, MRIs, PET scans, & guided biopsies have mostly replaced exploratory surgery

10. Treatment Surgery Radiation Hormone Therapy Removal of the tumor
Many types of radiation therapy: conformal radiation therapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy (radiosurgery), radiosensitizing drugs specifically sensitize tumors over normal tissue
Hormone Therapy
Decreasing hormones in a person who has a hormone dependent tumor

11. Treatment Chemotherapy Immunotherapy
Many chemotherapies are toxic to normal cells (cause hair to fall out, irritation of GI tract, depletion of blood cells)
Now treatment is targeting cancer cells while avoiding harm to normal cells
Immunotherapy
Enhance the immune system to kill the cancer
Antibodies that mimic the bodies defense signals
Personalized vaccines to target a specific person’s tumor (these are still in development)

12. Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
Excess fat around the waist can act as an estrogen pump, increasing hormones in the blood stream and promoting cancer development in the colon.
2. Be physically active everyday for at least 30 minutes.
30 min at a vigorous pace; 60 min at a moderate pace
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods.
3.5 oz of milk chocolate = 520 calories
3.5 oz of apple = 52 calories
4. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
Try to fill 2/3 of your plate with fruit, veggies, grains and legumes

13. Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
5. Limit consumption of red meat and avoid processed meat.
Red meat: beef, pork, lamb
Processed meat: ham, bacon, sausage, hotdogs
6. If consumed at all, limit alcohol intake to 2 for men and 1 for women per day.
Alcohol is shown to be particularly harmful when combined with smoking
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt.
We should consume less than 2400mg of salt/day
Most of our salt intake comes from processed foods
8. Don’t use supplements to prevent cancer.
Choose a balanced diet over supplements

14. Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
9. It is best for mothers to breastfeed for 6 months exclusively, then add other liquids and foods.
Shown to protect the mother from breast cancer
After breastfeeding the body gets rid of any breast cell with damage to the DNA
Protects babies from excess weight gain
Overweight children tend to be overweight adults
10. After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.