1. CANCER And Cell Division Glencoe Chapter 2

2. What is Cancer?
The division of normal cells is controlled. New cells are only formed for growth or to replace dead ones. Cells that are old or not functioning properly normally self destruct and are replaced by new cells.
However, cancerous cells do not self destruct and continue to divide rapidly producing millions of new cancerous cells.
Cancerous cells divide repeatedly out of control even though they are not needed, they crowd out other normal cells and function abnormally. They can also destroy the correct functioning of major organs.
A cancerous cell arises from the mutation of a normal gene and duplicates itself during cell division.

3. Stages of Cancer
1) Minor proliferation of cells in one area - “cancer in situ”
2) Growth of cells and recruitment of blood vessels etc. to support growth - “tumor”
3) Invasion/destruction of neighboring tissue -“malignant tumor”
4) Spread of cells to new organs - “metastasis”

4. Cancer Statistics
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the developed world:
Average 1 in 4 deaths are due to cancer
There are over 100 different forms of cancer
1 in 17 deaths are due to lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women

5. Cancer Cell vs. Normal Cell

6. 2 Types of Cancerous Tumors
Benign tumours do not spread from their site of origin, but can crowd out (squash) surrounding cells eg brain tumour, warts.
Malignant tumours can spread from the original site and cause secondary tumours. This is called metastasis. They interfere with neighbouring cells and can block blood vessels, the gut, glands, lungs etc.

7. Causes of Cancer Tobacco Smoke Diet Radiation Work Related Chemicals
Medicines
Microbes and Bacteria
Pollution

8. Tobacco smoke
Smoking causes 30% of fatal cancers: lung, upper respiratory tract, esophagus, bladder, pancreas; probably stomach, liver, kidney; implicated in chronic myelocytic leukemia; maybe colon, rectum
Malignancy depends on frequency of smoking, tar content, duration of habit
Passive inhalation of second-hand smoke causes as many deaths as air pollution
Understanding Lung Cancer

9. Normal Lung vs. Cancerous Lung

10. Irregular skin marks can be cancerous
Skin Cancers
Irregular skin marks can be cancerous
Irregular Moles

11. Diet: ~ 20-30% of fatal cancers
Animal (saturated fat) in general and red meat in particular: colon and rectum; implicated in prostate cancer
Salt: high intake may lead to stomach cancer; in very young children in Southeast Asia leads to cancer of the nasopharynx
Hot drinks increase risk of esophageal cancer
Eating too few vegetables and fruits is associated with higher cancer rates, perhaps by the absence of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals
Some natural chemicals may block cell proliferating signals from steroids, e.g. estrogens
Overeating is linked to certain cancers: breast and prostate
Obesity is a cause of cancer of the endometrium and contributes to postmenopausal breast cancer; increases risk for cancers of the colon, kidney, and gallbladder
Alcohol in large quantity, especially with smoking, increases risk of cancer of upper respiratory and digestive tracts

12. Radiation: ~ 2% of fatal cancers
High frequency UV-B rays damage DNA; cause 90% of skin cancers
Radon - radioactive gas is emitted from the earth in some locations
Low frequency electric and magnetic fields: perhaps a small risk for childhood leukemia
Radio-frequencies - no empirical evidence for increased risk
Nuclear radiation - a potential risk for those few exposed
CANCER 101 Video

13. Work, medications, microbes: ~ 5% of fatal cancers
Work: asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, diesel exhaust
Radiation and chemotherapy; clinical usefulness outweighs risks of cancer
Some immunosuppressive drugs can cause lymphoma
Estrogens increase risk of endometrial and breast cancer
Steroids to treat aplastic anemia associated with rare cases of liver cancer
Microbes
Viruses: human papillomavirus, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr, and HIV
Bacteria: Helicobacter pylori by causing stomach ulcers

14. Pollution: ~ 2% of fatal cancers
Urban air pollution seems to increase the risk for smokers but not non-smokers
Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution increases risk 50%

15. Reproductive and gynecological factors: ~ 4% of fatal cancers
Early age of starting menstration, late age at first pregnancy, and late age at menopause tend to increase the risk for breast cancer
Number of offspring is inversely correlated with cancer of the endometrium, ovary, and breast
(less children-less cancer)

16. Treating cancer
“Watchful waiting” - appropriate for many cancer in situs and prostrate cancer.
Many never become serious.
Surgery - can cure isolated tumors.
Chemotherapy - required when cancer metastasizes or is inoperable (brain)
Radiation - can be used before or after metastasis.
Vaccines - experimental therapy to get immune system to fight cancer.
Standard treatment - surgery followed by chemo.

17. Socioeconomic differences
Poverty is associated with a risky lifestyle: higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and exposure to certain infectious agents
More affluent seem to be prone to cancers of the breast and prostate
Racial differences can be traced to lifestyle: diet and environmental exposure
Genetic variability is higher within than between races

18. OTHER ??? Plastic Bottles??? Do they cause cancer?