Transcript Cancer
Cancer © Lisa Michalek 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 What Causes Cancer? • • • • • • • • Smoking Obesity A few viruses Chemicals Radiation Hormones Immune conditions Inherited genetic mutations 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Types of Cancers • Leukemia – Cancer of the bloodforming 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 Lung Cancer • Symptoms include a persistent cough, bloodstreaked 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 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 Breast Self Exam 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 Colon and Rectum Cancers 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 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 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 Testicular Self Exam 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 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 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 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 Cancer Treatments • Surgery – 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