THE BASICS

Chapter 13
Cancer: Reducing Your Risk
 Agenda for Cancer Lecture
 Introduction (Etiology, Epidemiology,
Oncologist)
 Basic Understanding of Biology (cells)
 Define Cancer (Autoimmune Disease)
 Risk Factors (profile of our exposures)
 Classifications of Cancer
 Location of Cancer
 Prevention, Detection and Treatment
 Introduction

 The last 50 years has seen a better

understanding of the causes and treatments of
cancer. Hence, the stigma, early detection and
technology has improved the prognosis of
cancer patients to an unprecedented level.
 Cancer Statistics
 553,400 Americans died of cancer 2001
 1.3 million new cases diagnosed
 1 in 4 deaths from cancer
 Early detection/improvements in technology
have improved prognosis for many

 What do you think are the contributing

factors to the incidence of cancer in the
U.S. today?
 Healthy Cells
 Cells represent the smallest,  Cells grow, replicate and repair
functional unit of our existence body organs.
which contains cytoplasm and  The genetic material
a nucleus (i.e. metabolism, (DNA/RNA) and your immune
reproduction, day to day system regulate this process.
functions)
 Cells have a specialized
function depending on their
location in the body.
 Different Types of Cells
 Blood cells
 Muscle cells (smooth,
striated, cardiac)
 Nerve cells
 Bone cells
 Cartilage cells
 Liver (hepa) cells
 Define Cancer
 Cancer is a term used to describe a large
group of diseases that are characterized
by a cellular malfunction. Healthy cells
are programmed to “know what to do and
when to do it”. Cancerous cells do not
have this programming and therefore
grow and replicate out of control. They
also serve no physiological function.
These cells are now termed a neoplasm.
This neoplasmic mass often forms
a clumping of cells known as a
tumor.
 Tumors
 Benign Tumors  Malignant Tumors
(noncancerous) (cancerous)
 Enclosed in a fibrous  Not usually contained
shell or capsule. – metastasis
 Take up space  Invade and emit
 Concerned if they clawlike protrusions
interfere with that disrupt the RNA
surrounding tissues or and DNA of normal
vessels or impede the cells (these cancerous
function of the body. cells act like a virus).
 Risk Factors (multi-factorial)
 Exposure to Cancer-causing agents
 Cellular Mutations (what agents cause this?
Environment & Lifestyle agents)
 Genetics & Hormone exposure (i.e. breast
cancer)
 Occupation and Environment Factors
 Social and Psychological Factors
 Chemicals in Food
 Viral (i.e. herpes, HPV, mononucleosis) create an
opportunistic environment
 Medical Factors
 Types of Cancer
 Classifications of Cancer
 Carcinomas
 Sarcomas
 Lymphomas
 Leukemias

 Lung Cancer
 Killed 164,000 in 2000
 Prevention-researchers theorize: 90% of all lung
cancers could be avoided by not smoking
Gas Exchange in Your Lungs
 Lung and Bronchus Cancer
(Invasive), 1975-2002 (CDC)
Lung and Bronchus Cancer for
U.S. Males, 1992-2002
Lung and Bronchus Cancer for
U.S. Females, 1992-2002
Ten Leading Causes of Death
for Males, 2002 (CDC)
Ten Leading Causes of Death
for Females, 2002 (CDC)
 An Overview of Cancer
 Variations in Rates
 Rates have large variations among populations
 444.6 per 100,000 African Americans
 402.1 per 100,000 Whites
 272.4 per 100,000 Hispanics
 279.3 per 100,000 Asian Pacific Islanders
 152.8 per 100,000 Native Americans
 An Overview of Cancer

 What is Cancer?
 Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells
 Neoplasms
 Malignant tumors
 Benign tumors
 An Overview of Cancer
 Cellular Change/Mutation Theories
 Spontaneous errors
 External agents
 Oncogenes

 Risks for Cancer-Lifestyle

 Smoking among greatest
 Nutrition/exercise
Factors Believed to Contribute to
Global Causes of Cancer

Figure 13.1
 What Causes Cancer?

 Biological Factors
 Genetic predisposition
 Reproductive and hormonal risks
 What Causes Cancer?

 Occupational and Environmental

Factors
 Asbestos, nickel, chromate
 Radioactive substances

 Social and Psychological Factors

 Stress
 Decrease negative emotions
 What Causes Cancer?
 Chemicals in Food
 Sodium nitrate
 Clostridium botulism

 Viral Factors
 Herpes-related virus and human papillomavirus

 Medical Factors
 Diethylstibestrol (DES)
 Chemotherapy
Table 13.1
 Types of Cancer
 Breast Cancer
 One in 8 women
 Risk increases with age
 Risk factors supported by research
 Prevention (self-exam and mammography)
 See figure 13.3 for self-examination procedure
 Treatment
Breast Self-Examination

Figure 13.3
 Types of Cancer
 Colon and Rectum Cancer
 3rd most common in men and women
 135,400 in 2001 diagnosed
 Warning signals, e.g. blood in the stool, rectal
bleeding

 Prostate Cancer
 Most common in males today
 189,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2002
 Estimated 30,200 men will die
 Types of Cancer
 Skin Cancer: Sun Bathers Beware
 1.3 million cases of skin cancer
 Treatable: basal or squamous
 Virulent: malignant melanoma
 ABCD rule about melanoma

 What are some ideas about the use of

sunscreen?
 Types of Cancer

 Testicular Cancer
 Ages 17-34 at greatest risk
 Cause is unknown
 Undescended testicles present a great risk
 How and when should men examine their
testicles?
(see Figure 13.4)
Testicular Self-Examination

Figure 13.4
 Types of Cancer
 Ovarian Cancer
 4th leading cause of death in young women
 Enlargement of abdomen common sign
 Prevention: annual pelvic exams

 Endometrium (Uterine) Cancer

 Pap test for early detection
 Risk: early onset of intercourse
 Warning: abnormal bleeding
 Types of Cancer

 Cancer of the Pancreas

 “Silent” disease
 29,700 cases in 2002
 Only 4% survive
 Contributors: inflammation, diabetes, high-fat diet
 Types of Cancer

 Leukemia
 Cancer of blood-forming tissues
 Leads to the creation of immature white blood
cells
 Symptoms: fatigue / paleness / weight loss
 Can be acute or chronic
 Facing Cancer

 Detecting Cancer
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
 Computerized Axial Tomography scanning (CAT
scan)
 Prostatic ultrasound (rectal probe)
 Self-exam and check-ups
Table 13.3
 Facing Cancer

 New Hope in Cancer Treatments

 Surgery to remove tumor
 Chemotherapy
 Researching genes and cell mutations
 Facing Cancer

 Talking with Your Doctor about Cancer

 Ask questions about type, treatment, clinical trials
 Ask about surgery
 Ask why one treatment is preferred
 Get all your options
 Facing Cancer

 Life After Cancer

 Laws reduce insurance discrimination
 Less isolation
 Assistance is available
 Support groups