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Understanding Cancer
Understanding Cancer
ng Cancer
Karen Joyce L.
Introduction
230 = 1,073,741,824
= 1 billion cells
2-6 weeks
This neoplasmic mass often forms
a clumping of cells known as a
tumor.
NEOPLASMS
Characteristics Benign Malignant
Carcinomas (cells
that cover internal and
external body surfaces) Leukemia
(Blood Cells)
Lung
Lymphomas
Breast (Lymph nodes &tissues)
Colon
Bladder
Prostate Sarcomas
(Men) Cells in supportive
tissues – bones &
muscles
What are the ETIOLOGIC
FACTORS of Cancer?
Family History
Lifestyle
Environment
Lifestyle Risks
Smoking
Diet high fat and low in fruits and
vegetables
Preservatives
- Nitrites (bacon, smoked meat)
- Talc (polished rice, salami, chewing gum)
- Food sweeteners
- Nitrosomines (baby nipples)
- Aflatoxins (mold in nuts, grains, milk,
cheese, peanut butter)
- Polycyclic hydrocarbons (charcoal
broiling)
Lack of exercise
Obesity
Environmental Risks
Industrial pollution/compounds
- Vinyl chloride (plastic
manufacture, asbestos
factories, construction)
- Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (refuse burning,
auto & truck emissions, oil
refineries
- Air pollution
- Fertilizers, weed killers
- Dyes (Analine dyes – beauty
shops & home use; hair bleach)
- Drugs (tobacco, alcohol)
Physical Agents
Radiation
- X-rays or radioactive isotopes
- Sunlight/UV rays
- Non-ionizing radio frequency radiation from mobile
phones and other similar RF sources
Physical irritation / Trauma
- Pipe smoking
- Multiple deliveries
- Jagged tooth, irritation of the tongue, “overuse of any
body organ/part”
Genetics
Oncogene (hidden/repressed genetic code
for cancer that exists in all individuals)
when exposed to carcinogens changes in
cell structure becomes malignant
Regardless of the cause, several cancers are
associated with familial patterns
e.g. retinoblastoma, pheochromocytoma,
Wilm’s tumor, lung & breast cancers
Hormones
Estrogen – as replacement therapy
increases incidence of vaginal and
cervical adenocarcinoma
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Inherited Risks
Less than 15% of cancers
are inherited
Gene mutations are
linked to some inherited
cancers
Cancers that may be
caused by inherited gene
mutations are:
Colon cancer
Breast cancer
Ovarian
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
Predisposing Factors
Age - older individuals are more prone to
cancer; they have been exposed to
carcinogens longer; they may have developed
immune system alteration
Sex
- women more prone to breast, uterus,
cervical cancer
- Men more prone to prostate and lung
cancer
Urban vs Rural residence – more common among
urban dwellers than rural residents
Geographic distribution – due to influence of
environmental factors as national diet, ethnic
customs, type of pollutions
- e.g. cancer of the stomach in Japan, breast Ca in
USA
Occupation – e.g. chemical factory workers,
farmers, radiology department personnel
Heredity – great risk with a family history
Stress - depression, grief, anger, aggression,
despair or life stresses decrease
immunocompetence
- Immunodeficiency may spur the growth
and proliferation of cancer cells
Precancerous lesions – may undergo
transformation into Ca lesions and
tumors
e.g. pigmented moles, burn scars, senile
keratosis, benign polyps, fibrocystic
disease of the breast
Obesity - studies have linked obesity to
breast and colorectal cancer
Why Screening Tests?
Removing polyps
can prevent colon
cancer
• Advanced
bleeding
cancer
Colon Cancer Screening
Guidelines
B jagged or irregular
Color: the color is varied,
tan, red, black etc
C Diameter: the diameter is
larger than 8mm (the top of
D a pencil eraser)
Skin Cancer Prevention
It is important to:
Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves
and sunscreen
Do a self examination of your skin monthly
Become familiar with any moles, freckles or
other abnormalities on your skin
Check for changes once a month. Show
any suspicious or changing areas to your
health care provider.
Good News!
2005 - 66%
Advances in cancer
research continue
How do we
prevent
Cancer then?
Avoid Smoking or Chewing
Tobacco
Cigarette smoking is Smoking increases the
the leading cause of risk of mouth,
esophagus, lung, and
preventable death
larynx cancers.
almost worldwide
Second hand smoke
affects everyone
Fruits and Vegetables
Decrease Cancer Risks
Cancer rates could
decline by up to
20% if everyone
consumed 5 fruits and
vegetables a day!*
Cancer fighting
substances:
Antioxidants
Dietary fiber
Carotenoids
*American Institute for Cancer Research, 1998.
Flavenoids
About 30% of cancers are caused due to improper nutrition; eating not
healthy foods or eating unhealthy foods. The American Cancer Society
has the following recommendations:
Eat five or more servings of vegetables (green and dark yellow,
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, etc.) and fruits each
day. Eat plenty of beans and whole-grain (14 oz daily). Note that you
are 2 to 3 times more susceptible to stomach cancer if you do not eat
fruits and vegetables.
There are many high-fat items in the "Salad Bars". Load your plate
with fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, and low-fat
dressing. Avoid creamy dressings.
Limit on fats (30% of daily req’t.). Eat low fat foods. Avoid fast foods
rich in fats. High-fat foods may increase the risk of prostate, colon,
rectum and uterus cancers.
Eat spicy foods specially containing chillies. Chillies contain capsaicin
which may offer protection against cancer. Capsaicin holds the key to
the next generation of anti-cancer drugs, reported the online Jan
2007 edition of Daily Mail.
Vitamin D & Cancer
Use wide-brimmed hats
and sunglasses.
Prevent sunburns,
especially for children
under 18. Use waterproof
sunscreen of SPF 15 or
higher. Reapply as
directed.
Avoid tanning beds.
Exercise & Maintain a healthy
weight
Exercise for 30 minutes or
more at least 3 days a
week.
186,550
The number of lives that could be
saved each year with no tobacco