Cancer M. Reveles, B.S. Biology

To begin…This is NOT a lesson to scare you, or make you fearful of the world around you. In NO WAY does the information supplied in this lesson replace the advice of your doctor. The information provided is to help EDUCATE you and INFORM you of the truth about cancer.

My backgroundB.S. in Biology from UTEP, with a focus in Molecular Biology, and Evolutionary Ecology.

Class of 2013Research of HepG2 cancer line, using treatment based from the exocarp of the Mangostene fruit.

What is cancer?In simple terms, cancer is uncontrollable growth of normal cells due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

Mutations in DNAErrors in the Cell CycleMutation in RNA

What is cancer?Malignant tumors: Tumors that have cancerous cells that are causing damage.Benign tumors: Tumors whose cells have grown out of proportion, but that do not contain cancerous cells.

How do we determine what is a cancer cell, and what is not?

ShapeDNA Protein make up

Lets revisit a little bit

Types of Cancer based on origin

CarcinomaReferred to as a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin or of internal or external lining of the body. Examples are breast cancer, ovarian cancer, skin cancer, etc.

Carcinoma

Types of Cancer based on origin

SarcomaCancer that generally originates from supportive or connective tissues such as bones, fat cells, tendons, etc.

Sarcoma

Types of Cancer based on origin

Myeloma Cancer that originates in plasma cells that originate in bone marrow.

Myeloma

Types of Cancers based on their origin

Leukemia“Liquid” cancer, or cancer that originates in the bone marrow that produces blood cells, and white blood cells. White blood cells are essential in fighting off infections, and foreign pathogens that enter the body.

Leukemia

Types of Cancer based on their origin

LymphomaCancer that originates in the lympathic system, which is the internal lining of your body. Lymph nodes, lymphocytes, and many other types of lymphatic components help to purify body fluids, and to produce infection fighting agents such as white blood cells, etc.

Lymphoma

Can cancer be prevented?

The real answer is NO. Dietary and Lifestyle changes CAN AID in preventing your chances of getting cancer. Genetics play a VITAL role in the production of cancer in future generations (but not always the case)Environmental factors play a very important role in the development of cancer.

Thank You