Understanding Understanding CancerCancer

UtahUtah Cancer Action Network Cancer Action Networkuucancan

Cancer is a large Cancer is a large group of diseases group of diseases (over 200) (over 200) characterized by characterized by uncontrolled growth uncontrolled growth and spread of and spread of abnormal cells.*abnormal cells.*

What Is Cancer?What Is Cancer?

**American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 20052005

Normal Cells Vs. Cancer Normal Cells Vs. Cancer CellsCells Cancer cells:Cancer cells:

Lose control over growth Lose control over growth and multiplicationand multiplication

Do not self-destruct Do not self-destruct when they become worn when they become worn out or damagedout or damaged

Crowd out healthy cellsCrowd out healthy cells

Growth of Cancer CellsGrowth of Cancer Cells

Size of cancer cells: Size of cancer cells: One million cancer One million cancer

cells = head of a cells = head of a pinpin

One billion cancer One billion cancer cells = a small cells = a small grapegrape

230 = 1,073,741,824 = 1 billion cells

2-6 weeks

Cancer cells reproduce every 2-6 weeks.

2-6 weeks

2-6 weeks

Signs and Symptoms of Signs and Symptoms of CancerCancer

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 Lumps or thickening of breast or other parts

of the bodyof the body Indigestion or difficulty swallowingIndigestion or difficulty swallowing Recent change in wart or moleRecent change in wart or mole Persistent coughing or hoarsenessPersistent coughing or hoarseness

Carcinomas (cells that cover internal and external body surfaces)

Types of CancersTypes of Cancers

Lung

Breast

ColonColon

BladderBladderProstate Prostate (Men)(Men)

LeukemiaLeukemia(Blood Cells)(Blood Cells)LymphomasLymphomas(Lymph nodes (Lymph nodes &tissues)&tissues)

SarcomasSarcomas

Cells in supportive tissues – bones & muscles

What Causes Cancer?What Causes Cancer?

LifestyleLifestyle

EnvironmentEnvironment

Family Family HistoryHistory

Lifestyle RisksLifestyle Risks SmokingSmoking

Diet high fat and low Diet high fat and low in fruits and in fruits and vegetablesvegetables

Lack of exercise Lack of exercise

Unprotected exposure Unprotected exposure to the sun, (UV) raysto the sun, (UV) rays

ObesityObesity

Environmental RisksEnvironmental Risks

Second hand smokeSecond hand smoke

Air pollutionAir pollution

Industrial pollutionIndustrial pollution

Chemical exposuresChemical exposures

Inherited RisksInherited Risks Less than 15% of Less than 15% of

cancers are inheritedcancers are inherited Gene mutations are Gene mutations are

linked to some linked to some inherited cancersinherited cancers

Cancers that may be Cancers that may be caused by inherited caused by inherited gene mutations are:gene mutations are: Colon cancerColon cancer Breast cancerBreast cancer OvarianOvarian Prostate cancerProstate cancer Skin cancerSkin cancer

Screening Tests and Screening Tests and Self-examsSelf-exams

Screening tests:Screening tests: Colon Colon BreastBreast Cervical Cervical Prostate Prostate

Self-exams:Self-exams: TesticularTesticular Skin Skin

Why Screening Why Screening Tests?Tests?

The treatment of cancer is most successful when the cancer is detected as early as possible, often before symptoms occur.

Colon CancerColon Cancer

Most colon Most colon cancers start as a cancers start as a polyppolyp

Removing polyps Removing polyps can prevent colon can prevent colon cancercancer

• Advanced Advanced bleeding bleeding cancercancer

• A polypA polyp

Colon Cancer Screening Colon Cancer Screening GuidelinesGuidelines

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 Yearly FOBT and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

oror Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years

oror Colonoscopy every 10 yearsColonoscopy every 10 years

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

Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Screening GuidelinesScreening 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.

Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Screening GuidelinesScreening 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.

Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Screening Guidelines Annual pap testing should Annual pap testing should

begin with the onset of begin with the onset of sexual activity or at age 18 sexual 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 have been normalhave been normal

Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Screening GuidelinesScreening Guidelines

Men should speak to their doctor about the Men should speak to their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screeningpros 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 cancercancer

Testicular Cancer Testicular Cancer Screening GuidelinesScreening 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 testicular exam be conducted during routine cancer-related checkups.routine cancer-related checkups.

It is believed that it is important to make It is believed that it is important to make men aware of testicular cancer and that men aware of testicular cancer and that any unusual mass should be evaluated by any unusual mass should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately.a health care provider immediately.

Skin CancerSkin Cancer The ABCD’s of melanoma (skin The ABCD’s of melanoma (skin

cancer):cancer):

AAsymmetry: one half is not like symmetry: one half is not like the otherthe other

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

CColor: the color is varied, tan, red, olor: the color is varied, tan, red, black ectblack ect

DDiameter: the diameter is larger iameter: the diameter is larger than 8mm (the top of a pencil than 8mm (the top of a pencil erasereraser

AA

BB

CC

DD

Skin Cancer PreventionSkin Cancer Prevention

It is important to:It is important to: Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves Protect your skin with hats, long sleeves

and sunscreenand sunscreen Do a self examination of your skin Do a self examination of your skin

monthlymonthly Become familiar with any moles, freckles Become familiar with any moles, freckles

or other abnormalities on your skinor 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 health care provider.health care provider.

Good News!Good News!

Other Ways to Other Ways to Reduce the Risks of Reduce the Risks of

Developing Cancer…Developing Cancer…

How Far Have We Come ?How Far Have We Come ?

Five year survival Five year survival rate:rate:

1913 - 10%1913 - 10%

2003 - 66%2003 - 66%

Advances in cancer Advances in cancer research continueresearch continue

The Fight Will Continue The Fight Will Continue Because…in 2007Because…in 2007

Cancer is the second Cancer is the second leading cause of death leading cause of death in Utah and the nationin Utah and the nation

7660* Utahns 7660* Utahns diagnoseddiagnosed

2690* Utahns will die 2690* Utahns will die

7 Utahns die of cancer 7 Utahns die of cancer every dayevery day

*American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2007*American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2007

Avoid Smoking or Chewing Avoid Smoking or Chewing TobaccoTobacco

Cigarette smoking is the Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of leading cause of preventable death in the USpreventable death in the US

Second hand smoke affects Second hand smoke affects everyoneeveryone

Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and Vegetables Decrease Cancer RisksDecrease Cancer Risks

Cancer rates could Cancer rates could declinedecline by up to by up to 20%20% if everyone if everyone consumed 5 fruits consumed 5 fruits and vegetables a and vegetables a day!*day!*

Cancer fighting Cancer fighting substances:substances: AntioxidantsAntioxidants Dietary fiberDietary fiber CarotenoidsCarotenoids FlavenoidsFlavenoids

*American Institute for Cancer Research, 1998.

Limit Alcohol to No More Limit Alcohol to No More Than Than

Men – 2 drinks per Men – 2 drinks per day day

Women - 1 drink Women - 1 drink per day per day

Reduce Your Skin Reduce Your Skin Exposure to the SunExposure to the Sun

Limit time outside, Limit time outside, between 10 a.m. & 4 between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.p.m.

Wear protective Wear protective clothing. Use wide-clothing. Use wide-brimmed hats and brimmed hats and sunglasses.sunglasses.

Prevent sunburns, Prevent sunburns, especially for children especially for children under 18. Use under 18. Use waterproof sunscreen waterproof sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. of SPF 15 or higher. Reapply as directed.Reapply as directed.

Avoid tanning beds.Avoid tanning beds.

Be Active…OftenBe Active…Often Exercise for 30 minutes Exercise for 30 minutes

or more at least 4 days or more at least 4 days a week.a week.

American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society

186,550186,550The number of lives that could be The number of lives that could be

saved each year if we ate a healthy saved each year if we ate a healthy diet and exercised regularlydiet and exercised regularly186,55186,55

00The number of lives that could be The number of lives that could be saved each year with no tobaccosaved each year with no tobacco

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