CancerChapter 26

Terminology• Cancer- An uncontrollable growth of

abnormal cells• Tumor- An abnormal mass of tissues

that has no natural role in the body– Benign tumor- A tumor that is not

cancerous– Malignant tumor- A cancerous tumor that

may spread through the blood or lymph nodes

Terminology• Biopsy- Removal of a

small piece of tissue to be examined for cancer, inflammation or disease

• Metastasis- The spreading of cancer from its original point to other parts of the body

Terminology

• Remission- A period of times when the symptoms of cancer (or disease) disappear

• Carcinogen- A cancer causing agent– Ex.- Cigarette smoke, ultraviolet radiation…

etc

Detection

• Self exams– Testicular exams-

Checking for lumps or fluid mass in scrotum

– Breast- Checking for lumps in the breasts

– Skin- Looking for abnormal change in moles, freckles and skin in general

Treatments

• Oncologist- A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer– Surgery- Removal of cancerous masses

(tumors) from the body– Radiation therapy- Using radioactive rays

to destroy cancerous cells and shrink cancerous masses

Treatments

– Chemotherapy- Use of chemicals to destroy cancerous cells

– Immunotherapy- Activates the immune system to recognize specific cancers and destroy them

– Hormone therapy- Use of medication to interfere with the production of hormones. This kills cancer cells or slows their growth.

Smoking and CancerAnnual Deaths Among

Smokers Attributable to Smoking-Related Diseases

Age of Smoking Initiation Among Adult Daily

Smokers

Tobacco Use Among Middle School

Students

Prostrate Cancer

• Prostate- Male reproductive organ that produces seminal fluid

• Risk for cancer increases with age• Screenings should begin around age 50

Oral Cancer

• Use of spit tobacco increases risk• Leukoplakia- Red or white patches

inside the mouth– Develop from use of spit tobacco

CAUTION

• C- Change in bowel habits• A- A sore that does not heal• U- Unusual bleeding or discharge• T- Thickening or lump (in the breast/testes

or elsewhere)• I- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing• O- Obvious change in a wart or mole• N- Nagging cough or hoarseness