Transcript The use of animals in research: Cancer lesson

Cancer Lesson
Learning Topic:
Specific facts and vocabulary about cancer.
Focus Question:
How would you define cancer?
Cancer Vocabulary
• Tumor: when a group of cells do not function as part
of the body.
– The cells do not know when to stop growing or
dividing.
• Oncology: study of cancer.
Tumor types
• Benign: tumors that cannot spread throughout
the body.
• Malignant: capable of spreading by invasion
(technically, the term cancer applies only to
malignant tumors).
– Metastasis: when a tumor has spread it is
considered to have metastasized.
• A tumor is caused by an accumulation of DNA
mutations. Mutations come from radiation,
carcinogens, or can be random.
• A few viruses can cause cancer.
Cancer is not contagious.
A person’s own cells are growing out of control. It is
difficult to destroy because the body does not
recognize that there is something wrong. The cells
have the same DNA as the rest of the body. Foreign
DNA is attacked by the immune system and
destroyed.
Cancer is not considered hereditary
because 80-90% of cancer occurs in people with
no family history. However, some mutations can
be inherited, increasing a person’s chances of
getting cancer.
Ways to Prevent Cancer
(National Cancer Institute 2000)
• Avoid exposure to carcinogens and radiation
(x-rays, UV light, cigarette smoke).
• Limit consumption of alcohol, fatty foods, and too much
food. People who smoke and drink are 40x more likely
to get cancer. (6x if one or the other is done.)
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid inhaling chemicals through dust and smoke
(some jobs require you to wear a mask).
• Go to the doctor regularly.
Some Cancer Facts
(National Cancer Institute 2000)
• Cigarette smoke contains more than 24 different
carcinogens (chemicals that could cause cancer).
• Smoking cigarettes is responsible for at least 1/3 of
cancer deaths, the largest single cause of death
from cancer.
Ticket to Leave
• Put your name on the front
• On the back, answer question # ____:
1. What are causes of cancer?
2. What is the difference between benign and
malignant tumors?
3. Why is cancer not contagious?
Ticket to Leave
Homework
Journal Entry:
Write down something you learned about
cancer from this lesson that you did
not know previously.