Cancer

What is cancer? Simply put, cancer is cell division that

happens uncontrollably. If a cell does not receive a signal to stop

dividing, unchecked growth could occur. Question: why could a cell NOT receive the

signal to stop dividing? Unchecked growth could result in tumours.

Mutations cause irregular cell division

They can be:

Inherited

Random

Environmental

Some examples?

Some tumours are cancerous: benign vs. malignant

BenignModerate rate of divisionDoes not invade

surrounding cellsDoes not spreadRelatively harmless,

unless it pushes on other cells

MalignantQuick cell division (little

time in interphase)Damages surrounding

cells by invading themCan spreadInterferes with functions

of other cellsmay result in death

Statistics Tobacco – 22% of all cancer deaths Obesity, alcohol, poor diet – 10% Genetic defects – 5-10% Infections, exposure to radiation, pollution

Statistics 2012 – 14.1 million new cancer cases 2012 – 8.2 million deaths (14.6 of all

deaths) Males: lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach Females: breast, colorectal, lung, cervical Children: leukemia, brain

Prevention: what can we do to prevent cancer?

Dietary and environmental? Medication? Vaccination? Other?

Prevention: what can we do to prevent cancer?

Dietary and environmental?

Screening Effort to detect cancer after it has formed,

but before any noticeable symptoms appear:

Cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer.

Genetic testing

Cancer management Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Hormonal therapy Targeted therapy Palliative care

Lung cancer

Stomach cancer

Colorectal cancer

Prostate cancer

Breast cancer

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy