CANCER

CANCER

Cancer is the result of uncontrolled mitotic cell division in the body.

A group of cells is formed that lose their original function

After a repeated division, a mass of tissue is formed, it is then referred to as a tumour

There are two kinds of tumours – Benign tumours and malignant tumours.

CANCER

Benign tumours does not penetrate the tissues, it stays at one site and does not spread

Malignant tumours are cancerous and they invade surrounding tissues and can metastasize exporting cancer cells to other parts of the body, where they may form secondary tumours.

BENIGN VS. MALIGNANT

BENIGN Slow growing Capsulated Non-invasive- Does not metastasize Well

differentiated

MALIGNANT Fast growing Not capsulated Invasive and

infiltrative- It metastasizes Poorly

differentiated

BENIGN VS. MALIGNANT

CAUSES OF CANCER

There are many possible causes of cancer Any agent that causes cancer is known as

a carcinogen. Possible carcinogens are:- Cigarette smoke- Chemicals (asbestos, pesticides)- Pollution- Radiation (sun, x-rays, atomic weapons)- Viruses (Human papilloma virus or HPV)- Hormonal imbalance- Inherited genes- Diet that lacks certain nutrients such as fibre

TYPES OF CANCER

Carcinomas – develop from epithelial

cells Sarcomas – develop from bones,

cartilage and muscles Leukaemia - Blood

TREATMENT OF CANCER

An oncologist is a doctor that specialize in cancer

It is easier to treat cancer if it is diagnosed early.

Regular check-ups such as Pap smears for cervical cancer, colonoscopies for colon cancer and mammograms for breast cancer

TREATMENT OF CANCER

Treatment for cancer include: Surgery – cutting out the tumour. It

is only effective on benign tumours

TREATMENT OF CANCER

Traditional technology – traditional doctors use a small shrub Sutherlandia frutescens commonly known as ‘kankerbossie’ or cancer bush as remedy for cancer.

TREATMENT OF CANCER

Using radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This is done if the cancer has metastasized. Radiotherapy uses X-rays and gamma rays to kill cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill the cancerous cells.

TREATMENT OF CANCER

Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy Hair loss Nausea Fatigue Loss of appetite Vomiting Skin changes Diarrhoea Weight loss

BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES ABOUT CANCER

People think that if someone has cancer, it means that they are going to die.

The word “cancer” is taboo People think that they can catch cancer from

someone who has it. Cancer cannot be spread like other diseases except cervical cancer caused by HPV

Ignorance is bliss. People believe it is best not to know that they have the disease

Education is important to help people understand more about cancer.