cancer

(1)

Understanding

(2)



Cancer is a large group

of diseases (over 200)

characterized by

uncontrolled growth and

spread of abnormal

cells.*

What Is Cancer?

*

(3)

Normal Cells Vs. Cancer Cells

 Cancer cells:Cancer cells:

 Lose control over growth Lose control over growth

and multiplication and multiplication

 Do not self-destruct when Do not self-destruct when

they become worn out or they become worn out or

damaged damaged

(4)

Growth of Cancer Cells

 Size of cancer cells: Size of cancer cells:

 One million cancer One million cancer

cells = head of a pin

 One billion cancer One billion cancer

cells = a small

grape

 230 = 1,073,741,824

= 1 billion cells

2-6 weeks

 _{Cancer cells reproduce} every 2-6 weeks.

2-6 weeks

(5)

Signs and Symptoms of

Cancer

 Change in bowel habits or bladder functionsChange in bowel habits or bladder functions

 Sores that do not healSores that do not heal

 Unusual bleeding or dischargeUnusual bleeding or discharge

 Lumps or thickening of breast or other parts of Lumps or thickening of breast or other parts of

the body the body

 Indigestion or difficulty swallowingIndigestion or difficulty swallowing

 Recent change in wart or moleRecent change in wart or mole

(6)

 Carcinomas (cells that cover internal and external body surfaces)

Types of Cancers

Lung Breast Colon Colon Bladder Bladder Prostate Prostate (Men) (Men) Leukemia Leukemia (Blood Cells) (Blood Cells) Lymphomas Lymphomas

(Lymph nodes &tissues)

Sarcomas

(7)

What Causes Cancer?

Lifestyle

Environment

Family History

(8)

Lifestyle Risks

 SmokingSmoking

 Diet high fat and low in Diet high fat and low in

fruits and vegetables fruits and vegetables

 Lack of exercise Lack of exercise

 Unprotected exposure Unprotected exposure

to the sun, (UV) rays to the sun, (UV) rays

(9)

Environmental Risks

 Second hand smokeSecond hand smoke

 Air pollutionAir pollution

 Industrial pollutionIndustrial pollution

 Chemical exposuresChemical exposures

(10)

Inherited Risks

 Less than 15% of cancers Less than 15% of cancers

are inherited

 Gene mutations are Gene mutations are

linked to some inherited

cancers

 Cancers that may be Cancers that may be

caused by inherited gene

mutations are:

 Colon cancerColon cancer  Breast cancerBreast cancer  OvarianOvarian

(11)

Screening Tests and

Self-exams

Screening tests:

 Colon Colon  BreastBreast  Cervical Cervical  Prostate Prostate

Self-exams:

(12)

Why Screening Tests?

(13)

Colon Cancer

 Most colon cancers Most colon cancers

start as a polyp start as a polyp

 Removing polyps Removing polyps

can prevent colon can prevent colon

cancer cancer

• _Advanced_Advanced

bleeding

cancer

(14)

Colon Cancer Screening

Guidelines

 Age of 50 and older; younger if Age of 50 and older; younger if

there is a family history there is a family history

 Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) orYearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or

 Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years orFlexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or

 Yearly FOBT and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years orYearly FOBT and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or

 Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years orDouble-contrast barium enema every 5 years or

 Colonoscopy every 10 yearsColonoscopy every 10 years

Of the options above ACS prefers yearly FOBT and Sigmoidoscopy every five years Of the options above ACS prefers yearly FOBT and Sigmoidoscopy every five years

(15)

Breast 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

(16)

Breast 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

(17)

Cervical Cancer

Screening Guidelines

 Annual pap testing should Annual pap testing should

begin with the onset of sexual begin with the onset of sexual

activity or at age 18 activity or at age 18

 Investigate pros & cons of Investigate pros & cons of

new HPV vaccine new HPV vaccine

 Pap testing should continue Pap testing should continue

less frequently at the less frequently at the

discretion of the medical discretion of the medical

provider and patient after provider and patient after

three or more annual tests three or more annual tests

(18)

Prostate Cancer

Screening Guidelines

 Men should speak to their doctor about the Men should speak to their doctor about the

pros and cons of prostate cancer screening pros and cons of prostate cancer screening

 Both prostate specific antigen (PSA) and Both prostate specific antigen (PSA) and

digital rectal examinations (DRE) are digital rectal examinations (DRE) are

recommended for men over 50 and who recommended for men over 50 and who

choose to undergo screening for prostate choose to undergo screening for prostate

(19)

Testicular Cancer

Screening Guidelines

 Doctors agree that examination of a man’s Doctors agree that examination of a man’s

testicles is an important part of a general testicles is an important part of a general physical exam. It is recommended that a physical exam. It is recommended that a

testicular exam be conducted during routine testicular exam be conducted during routine

cancer-related checkups. cancer-related checkups.

 It is believed that it is important to make men It is believed that it is important to make men

aware of testicular cancer and that any unusual aware of testicular cancer and that any unusual

mass should be evaluated by a health care mass should be evaluated by a health care

(20)

Skin Cancer

 The ABCD’s of melanoma (skin The ABCD’s of melanoma (skin

cancer): cancer):

 AAsymmetry: one half is not like the symmetry: one half is not like the

other

 BBorder: the edges are jagged or order: the edges are jagged or

irregular

 CColor: the color is varied, tan, red, olor: the color is varied, tan, red,

black ect

 DDiameter: the diameter is larger than iameter: the diameter is larger than

8mm (the top of a pencil eraser

(21)

Skin Cancer Prevention



It is important to:

 Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves

and sunscreen and sunscreen

 Do a self examination of your skin monthlyDo a self examination of your skin monthly

 Become familiar with any moles, freckles or Become familiar with any moles, freckles or

other abnormalities on your skin other abnormalities on your skin

 Check for changes once a month. Show Check for changes once a month. Show

any suspicious or changing areas to your any suspicious or changing areas to your

(22)

Good News!

Other Ways to Reduce

the Risks of Developing

Cancer…

(23)

How Far Have We Come ?

Five year survival rate: Five year survival rate:

 1913 - 10%1913 - 10%

 2003 - 66%2003 - 66%

 Advances in cancer Advances in cancer

(24)

The Fight Will Continue

Because…in 2007

 Cancer is the second Cancer is the second

leading cause of death in leading cause of death in

Utah and the nation Utah and the nation

 7660* Utahns diagnosed7660* Utahns diagnosed

 2690* Utahns will die 2690* Utahns will die

 7 Utahns die of cancer 7 Utahns die of cancer

every day every day

(25)

Avoid Smoking or Chewing

Tobacco

 Cigarette smoking is the Cigarette smoking is the

leading cause of preventable leading cause of preventable

death in the US death in the US

 Second hand smoke affects Second hand smoke affects

(26)

Fruits and Vegetables

Decrease Cancer Risks

 Cancer rates could Cancer rates could

decline

decline by up to by up to 20%

20% if everyone if everyone

consumed 5 fruits and consumed 5 fruits and

vegetables a day!* vegetables a day!*

 Cancer fighting Cancer fighting

substances: substances:

 AntioxidantsAntioxidants

 Dietary fiberDietary fiber

 CarotenoidsCarotenoids

 FlavenoidsFlavenoids

(27)

Limit Alcohol to No More Than

 Men – 2 drinks per Men – 2 drinks per

day day

 Women - 1 drink per Women - 1 drink per

(28)

Reduce Your Skin Exposure to

the Sun



Limit time outside, Limit time outside,

between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.



Wear protective clothing. Wear protective clothing.

Use wide-brimmed hats

and sunglasses.



Prevent sunburns, Prevent sunburns,

especially for children

under 18. Use

waterproof sunscreen of

SPF 15 or higher.

Reapply as directed.



Avoid tanning beds.Avoid tanning beds.

(29)

Be Active…Often

 Exercise for 30 minutes or Exercise for 30 minutes or

more at least 4 days a more at least 4 days a

(30)

American Cancer Society

186,550

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

(31)

u

can

_can

Utah

Utah Cancer Action Network Cancer Action Network

www.ucan.cc