Cancer“Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It can not touch my mind, it can not touch my heart, and it can touch my soul.” – Jimmy V

Cancer VocabularyCancer: abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth

Tumor: cluster of cancer cells

Oncologist: cancer doctor

Biopsy: sample of tissue

Benign: Non-cancerous; can only grow in one place

Malignant: cancerous

Primary tumor: Main cancer source

Secondary tumor: Satellite cancer cells

Cancer VocabularyMetastasis: moving

Remission: goes away (with or without drugs) or shrinks.

Relapse: return of cancer after remission

Pap test: swab test for cervical cancer

Digital rectal-prostate exam: men at age 50 – blood enzyme test.

Colonoscopy: entire colon exam

BSE/TSE: breast self-exam; testicular self-exam

Cancer VocabularyLumpectomy: removal of lump in breast

Modified radical mastectomy: removal of lump & breast tissue

Radical mastectomy: removal of entire breast

Treating Cancer

-- Chemotherapy

-- Radiation

-- Surgery

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ChemotherapyAlso known as “chemo” is a type of cancer treatment that

uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. But it can also harm health cells that divide quickly, such as those that line your mouth and intestines or cause your hair grown. Damage to healthy cells may cause side effects. Often, side effects get better or go away after chemotherapy is over.

ChemotherapyWhat does chemotherapy do?

Depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is…

- Cure Cancer: when chemo destroys cancer cells to the point that a doctor can no longer detect them in the body and they will not grow back.

- Control Cancer: when chemo keeps cancer from spreading, slows its growth, or destroys cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.

- Ease Cancer Symptoms: (palliative care) when chemo shrinks tumors that are causing pain or pressure.

ChemotherapyHow is chemotherapy given?

Injection: through a shot in a muscle in the arm, thigh, or hip or right under the skin in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly.

Intra-arterial: directly into the artery that is feeding the cancer

Intra-peritoneal: directly into the peritoneal cavity (area which contains organs such as our intestines, stomach, & liver)

Intravenous: directly into a vein

Topically: comes in a cream that is rubbed onto the skin

Orally: comes in pills, capsules, or liquids that are swallowed

RadiationRadiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy caner cells (tumors). Radiation damages the genetic material of cells in the area being treated, leaving the cells unable to continue to grow. Although radiation damages normal cells, as wells as cancer cells, the normal cells usually can repair themselves and function, while the cancer cells cannot.

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RadiationBrachytherapy

…or internal radiation therapy, inserts radioactive material directly into or near the tumor.

External radiation therapy

… or telepathy, uses a beam of radiation directed at the tumor.

RadiationDoes radiation therapy have side

effects?

Most common side effects include…

- Fatigue

- Hair loss near the treated area

- Skin darkening in area exposed to the beam

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SurgeryAn operation to remove or repair part of your

body to treat or diagnose cancer. A doctor may you use cancer surgery to achieve any number of goals, from diagnosing and treating cancer to relieving the symptoms is causes.

Cancer surgery could be the only treatment or it may be supplemented with other treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Skin CancerSkin is the largest organ in the human body – protect it!

Functions of Your Skin• Protection

• Regulates Body Temperature

• Excretes waste

• Prevents loss of H20

• Is a “sense” organ

Types of Skin CancerBasal Cell: Form in cells between epidermis &

dermis. Slow growing, usually does not spread. Non-invasive.

Sqaumus Cell: Originate in the upper most layers of the skin. Grows quickly. Invasive.

Malignant Melanoma: Less common, but most dangerous. Begins in melanocytes (which produce pigment).

• Melanoma – most severe• Carcinoma – most common (least

aggressive)

Skin Cancer – Risk FactorsOver exposure to Ultraviolent rays

Outdoor worker (Farmers, Sailors, Lifeguards, Swimmers) constantly exposed to UV rays

Sunscreen SPF 15 or greater

Fair-skin people are at higher risk of sunburn

Tanning Beds

Latitude/Elevation

Snow

Skin Cancer Slideshow

Identifying Skin CancerA.B.C.D.E.

Asymmetry: One half does not match the other

Border: Irregularity, edges are ragged, notched or blurred

Color: Pigment is not uniform

Diameter: Greater than 6mm or sudden change in size

Elevation: Most skin cancer is due to over exposure to sun when people are young