Title: Understanding Cancer
1Understanding Cancer
ucan
Utah Cancer Action Network
2What Is Cancer?
- Cancer is a large group of diseases (over 200)
characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread
of abnormal cells.
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and
Figures 2005
3Normal Cells Vs. Cancer Cells
- Cancer cells
- Lose control over growth and multiplication
- Do not self-destruct when they become worn out or
damaged - Crowd out healthy cells
4Growth of Cancer Cells
- Cancer cells reproduce every 2-6 weeks.
2-6 weeks
- Size of cancer cells
- One million cancer cells head of a pin
- One billion cancer cells a small grape
- 230 1,073,741,824 1 billion cells
2-6 weeks
2-6 weeks
5Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
- Change in bowel habits or bladder functions
- Sores that do not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Lumps or thickening of breast or other parts of
the body - Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Recent change in wart or mole
- Persistent coughing or hoarseness
6Types of Cancers
- Carcinomas (cells that cover internal and
external body surfaces)
Leukemia (Blood Cells)
Lung
Lymphomas (Lymph nodes tissues)
Breast
Colon
Bladder
Sarcomas Cells in supportive tissues bones
muscles
Prostate (Men)
7What Causes Cancer?
Family History
Lifestyle
Environment
8Lifestyle Risks
- Smoking
- Diet high fat and low in fruits and vegetables
- Lack of exercise
- Unprotected exposure to the sun, (UV) rays
- Obesity
9Environmental Risks
- Second hand smoke
- Air pollution
- Industrial pollution
- Chemical exposures
-
10Inherited 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
11Screening Tests and Self-exams
- Screening tests
- Colon
- Breast
- Cervical
- Prostate
- Self-exams
- Testicular
- Skin
12Why Screening Tests?
The treatment of cancer is most successful when
the cancer is detected as early as possible,
often before symptoms occur.
13Colon Cancer
- Most colon cancers start as a polyp
- Removing polyps can prevent colon cancer
14Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Age of 50 and older younger if there is a
family history - Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
- Yearly FOBT and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
- Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years or
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
Of the options above ACS prefers yearly FOBT and
Sigmoidoscopy every five years
15Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and
continuing for as long as a woman is in good
health. - Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a
periodic health exam, about every three years for
women in their 20s and 30s and every year for
women 40 and over.
16Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Women should report any breast change promptly to
their health care providers. Breast self-exam
(BSE) is an option for women for women starting
in their 20s. - Women at increased risk (e.g., family history,
genetic tendency, past breast cancer ) should
talk with their doctors about the benefits and
limitations of starting mammography screening
earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast
ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent
exams.
17Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Annual pap testing should begin with the onset of
sexual activity or at age 18 - Investigate pros cons of new HPV vaccine
- Pap testing should continue less frequently at
the discretion of the medical provider and
patient after three or more annual tests have
been normal
18Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Men should speak to their doctor about the pros
and cons of prostate cancer screening - Both prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital
rectal examinations (DRE) are recommended for men
over 50 and who choose to undergo screening for
prostate cancer
19Testicular Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Doctors agree that examination of a mans
testicles is an important part of a general
physical exam. It is recommended that a
testicular exam be conducted during routine
cancer-related checkups. - It is believed that it is important to make men
aware of testicular cancer and that any unusual
mass should be evaluated by a health care
provider immediately.
20Skin Cancer
- The ABCDs of melanoma (skin cancer)
- Asymmetry one half is not like the other
- Border the edges are jagged or irregular
- Color the color is varied, tan, red, black ect
- Diameter the diameter is larger than 8mm (the
top of a pencil eraser
A B C D
21Skin 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.
22Good News!
- Other Ways to Reduce the Risks of Developing
Cancer
23How Far Have We Come ?
- Five year survival rate
- 1913 - 10
- 2003 - 66
- Advances in cancer research continue
24The Fight Will Continue Becausein 2007
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death in
Utah and the nation - 7660 Utahns diagnosed
- 2690 Utahns will die
- 7 Utahns die of cancer every day
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and
Figures 2007
25Avoid Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
- Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of
preventable death in the US - Second hand smoke affects everyone
26Fruits 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
- Flavenoids
American Institute for Cancer Research, 1998.
27Limit Alcohol to No More Than
- Men 2 drinks per day
- Women - 1 drink per day
28Reduce Your Skin Exposure to the Sun
- Limit time outside, between 10 a.m. 4 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing. 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.
29Be ActiveOften
- Exercise for 30 minutes or more at least 4 days a
week.
30186,550
The number of lives that could be saved each year
if we ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly
186,550
The number of lives that could be saved each year
with no tobacco
American Cancer Society
31ucan
Utah Cancer Action Network
www.ucan.cc 1-800-222-2542