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CANCER Page 4

What is Cancer?

Ñ  Cancer is a group of over 200 different diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.*

*American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2005

What?

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Cancer Categories •  Carcinoma •  Sarcoma •  Lymphoma •  Leukemia •  CNS Tumors

What?

How?

How?

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How?

Lifestyle Risks

Ñ  Smoking

Ñ  Diet & Exercise

Ñ  Unprotected exposure to the sun (UV radiation)

Ñ  Obesity

Why?

Environmental Risks

Ñ  Second hand smoke

Ñ  Pollutants (in air, water, etc.)

Ñ  Other chemical exposure

Why?

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Inherited Risks Ñ  Less than 15% of

cancers are inheritedÑ  Cancers that may be

caused by inherited gene mutations are:•  Colon cancer•  Breast cancer•  Ovarian•  Prostate cancer•  Skin cancer

Why?

Last Questions? Q: Is there a cure for cancer?

A: There is no one cure because there are hundreds of cancers!

Q: How do cancer meds work?A: By stopping cells from growing… even healthy ones!