1. Cancer

2. What is Cancer? An uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells
A tumor is a mass of cells that grows more rapidly than surrounding tissue
Malignant – very dangerous and harmful
Benign – Harmless, non-cancerous
Metastasis – the process where cancer spreads from one area of the body to a different area of the body

3. What Causes Cancer? Smoking Obesity A few viruses Chemicals Radiation
Hormones
Immune conditions
Inherited genetic mutations

4. Cellular Change & Mutation Theories
One theory is that cancer results from an error that happens during cell reproduction
Another theory is that cancer is caused by some external agent that enters a normal cell and initiates changes
Carcinogens include radiation, chemicals, hormonal drugs, toxins, smoking
A third theory includes the research that certain viruses are believed to cause tumors in animals.

5. Lifestyle Cancer Risks
Smoking can cause cancer of the lung, pancreas, bladder and kidney, larynx, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, and cervix
Cancer is more common in people who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle
Including postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrium, gallbladder, kidney, cervix, ovaries, colon, and prostate

6. Biological Cancer Risks
Cancers of the breast, stomach, colon, prostate, uterus, ovaries, and lungs appear to run in families
Hodgkin’s disease and certain leukemias also run in families
Gender also affects certain cancers
Breast cancer usually occurs in females

7. Environmental Cancer Risks
Asbestos, Nickel, chromate, benzene, arsenic, vinyl chloride, radioactive substances, radon exposures, coal tars, herbicides, and pesticides have been shown to be carcinogens for humans

8. Viral Cancer Risks
Cervical cancer has been linked to the human papilloma virus, the virus that causes genital warts
The Epstein-Barr virus, which is associated with mononucleosis, may contribute to cancer
The herpes-related viruses may be involved in the development of some forms of leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, cervical cancer and Burkitt’s lymphoma

9. Types of Cancers Carcinoma Most common sites for cancer
Found in tissues that cover the body surfaces and linings most body cavities and form solid tumors
Examples include: Breast, lung, intestines, skin, and mouth

10. Types of Cancers Sarcoma
These cancers are less common, but are usually more dangerous. They also form solid tumors
They occur in the middle layers of tissues
Examples include: bone, muscles, and connective tissues

11. Types of Cancers Lymphoma
Develops in the lymphatic system (the infection fighting regions of the body) and forms solid tumors
An example includes Hodgkin’s disease

12. Types of Cancers Leukemia
Cancer of the blood- forming parts of the body
Usually the bone marrow and spleen that form non-solid tumors
Characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells

13. Lung Cancer
Symptoms include a persistent cough, blood-streaked sputum, chest pain, and recurrent attacks of pneumonia or bronchitis
Treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy
Risks include tobacco use, exposure to tobacco smoke, arsenic, asbestos or radiation

14. Breast Cancer
The earliest sings are observable on mammograms, usually before lumps can be felt.
Once it has grown to where it can be felt, symptoms include lump, thickening, swelling, dimpling, skin irritation, distortion, retraction of the nipple, nipple discharge, pain or tenderness
Treatments range from lumpectomy to radical mastectomy and various combinations of radiation or chemotherapy
Risk factors include family history, long menstrual history, obesity after menopause, oral contraceptives, never having children

15. Breast Self Exam

16. Colon and Rectum Cancers
Symptoms include bleeding from the rectum, blood in the stool and changes in bowel habits
Colonoscopy or barium enemas are recommended tests for at-risk populations and people over 50
Treatments include surgery, radiation and possible chemotherapy
Risk factors include people who are over 40, obese, have a family history of these cancers and or polyps, inflammatory bowel problems, diets high in fats or low in fiber, smoking, high alcohol consumption, and inactivity

17. Colon and Rectum Cancers

18. Prostate Cancer
A PSA blood test and rectal examination can be used to screen males without symptoms
Most signs of cancer mimic the signs of an infection or enlarged prostate
Symptoms include weak or interrupted urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping urine, the need to urinate frequently, pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs, blood in urine
Risk factors increase with age, being African-American, and family history

19. Skin Cancer
Melanomas of the skin are most common on the face, ears, neck, arms, hands and legs
They usually appear as warty bumps, colored spots or scaly patches with asymmetry, and border irregularity and variations in color
Risks include radiation from the sun and tanning lamps
Surgery is used with possible radiation or chemotherapy

20. Testicular Cancer
Males between the ages of 17 and 34 with undescended testicles are at the greatest risk
Symptoms include a painless enlargement of the testis or thickening in the testicular tissue

21. Testicular Self Exam

22. Ovarian Cancer
Most common symptoms include enlargement of the abdomen in women over 40, gas, stomachaches that cannot be explained
Risk factors include exposure to estrogen and family history

23. Uterine Cancer
Early warning signs include bleeding outside of normal menstrual periods or after menopause or unusual vaginal discharge
Risk factors include early age of first intercourse, multiple sex partners, cigarette smoking, certain STD’s, a family history, a history of infertility, failure to ovulate, obesity, and estrogen therapy

24. Leukemia
Cancer of the blood-forming tissues that leads to millions of immature white blood cells
These abnormal cells crowd out normal blood cells
Symptoms include fatigue, paleness, weight loss, easy bruising, repeated infections, nosebleeds and other hemorrhaging

25. Detecting Cancer Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A device that uses magnetic fields, radio waves and computers to generate an image of internal tissue of the body without the use of radiation
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT scan)
A machine that uses radiation to view internal organs not normally visible on x-rays

26. Cancer Treatments Surgery Radiotherapy Chemotherapy
The tumor and surrounding tissue is removed
Radiotherapy
The use of radiation to kill cancerous cells
Used to treat localized cancer cells, but also destroys some healthy cells
Chemotherapy
The use of drugs to kill cancerous cells
Used to treat cancers that have spread throughout the body