Station 1- Breast Cancer(Females Only!)

Anything that increases the chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor.

Risk factors for breast cancer include the following:• Age (older = more risk)• age at the start of menstruation (younger = more risk)• age at which you have your first child (older = more risk)• number of first-degree relatives (mother, sisters, daughters) with breast cancer (more = more risk)• number of previous breast biopsies (whether positive or negative) (more = more risk)• at least one breast biopsy with abnormal tissue present (more = more risk)

Other potential risk factors may include the following:• age at menopause• dense breast tissue on a mammogram• use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy• a high-fat diet• drinking alcohol• low physical activity• obesity• environmental exposures

Breast cancer may also be caused by inherited gene mutations. Hereditary breast cancers account for approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancers. Specific hereditary predispositions for breast cancer are linked to inheriting a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

Stage Definition

Stage 0 Cancer is where it started and not spreading

Stage IStage IIStage III

Higher numbers indicate more extensive disease: Larger tumor size and/or spread of the cancer beyond the organ in which it first developed to nearby lymph nodes and/or tissues or organs adjacent to the location of the primary tumor

Stage IV

The cancer has spread to distant tissues or organs

Female breast cancer survival rates at different stages (2003-2009)

Station 1 Questions:1. Genetic testing is now available to determine if a woman has

inherited the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, which increases their chance of developing cancer.

A.Why might a woman want to be tested for this gene?B. Why might a woman choose not to be tested for this gene? C. If you are a female, would you want to be tested? Why?

2. Look at the provided data A. Describe the trend in breast cancer survival rates and stage in which cancer is detected. B. Why is early detection so important? C. What are some methods of early detection?

3. Breast self-exams are one method of early detection, we’d like all of our female students to read the instructions for performing self-exams. Use the models of breasts to practice finding lumps.

Station 1 – Testicular Cancer(Males Only!)

Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Also, doctors generally examine the testicles during routine physical exams. Between regular checkups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor. Men should see a doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:

– a painless lump or swelling in a testicle – pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum – any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels – a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum – a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin – a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum

These symptoms can be caused by cancer or by other conditions. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of any of these symptoms.

Look at the provided data to answer the following questions: 1. At what age is a man most likely to be diagnosed

with testicular cancer?2. Describe the trend in testicular cancer survival

rates and stage in which cancer is detected. 3. Why is early detection so important?4. What are some methods of early detection? 5. Because most testicular cancers are found by men

themselves, we’d like of our male students to read the instructions for performing self exams. Use the models of testes to practice finding testicular lumps.

Localized - Confined to Primary SiteRegional - Spread to Regional Lymph NodesDistant - Cancer Has MetastasizedUnstaged - Unknown

Testicular cancer survival rates at different stages (2004-2010)

Station 21. Why is it important for scientist who research cancer to

have this type of data?2. In terms of funding, how would you suggest the funds to

be allocated? a. Why might the population have differences in opinions as which

types of cancer research their tax dollars should go towards?

3. Looking at the data draw a conclusion about cancer incident rate vs. cancer death rate.

a. Give a possible reason for this conclusion.

4. Using 2 different sets of data draw one conclusion (inference). (Ex: Based on the higher lung and bronchus cancer rates in males than females, males must smoke than females)

Station 2

Cancer Incidence Rates* Among Men, US, 1975-2009

Cancer Death Rates* Among Men, US,1930-2009

Cancer Incidence Rates* Among Women, US, 1975-2009

Cancer Death Rates* Among Women, US,1930-2009

Station 3 – SmokingLook at the information on the lab bench and answer the following questions: 1. What is the relationship between smoking and

cancer death rates? 2. What type of cancer is most directly caused by

smoking? 3. Why is smoking not just a personal health issue?

Why is it also a social issue? 4. Do you think it is important for the government to

enforce tobacco control efforts (i.e. city smoking bans, smoking age, etc.)? Explain why or why not?

Trends in Tobacco Use and Lung Cancer Death Rates* in the US

• Reduction in cigarette smoking among youth is an important factor in reducing prevalence and addiction in adulthood. Smoking among high school students peaked in the late 1990s and has since been declining, though the rate of decline has slowed since 2007.

• It is thought that the increase in smoking from 1991 to 1997 is a reflection of increased expenditures on aggressive youth-targeted marketing and promotions by tobacco companies during the early 1990s.

• The subsequent decline is thought to be due to increased price of cigarettes as well as comprehensive tobacco control efforts. However, slower rate of decline in recent years may reflect increased tobacco industry marketing expenditures and promotions and declines in funding for comprehensive tobacco control programs. Patterns were similar for all racial/ethnic groups.

Station 4Living a healthy lifestyle (ie healthy diet and exercise) are know to reduce the risk of cancer. Using the data answer the following questions: 1. What is the relationship between healthy

lifestyle and amount of education. 2. What might be some explanations for this

relationship?3. Why might this be a social issue?

Prevalence of Leisure-time Inactivity* by Educational Attainment, Adults 25 and Older, US, 2011

Consumption of Three or More Vegetable Servings by Educational Attainment, Adults 25 and Older, US, 2011

Consumption of Two or More Fruit Servings by Educational Attainment, Adults 25 and Older, US, 2011

Station 5Early detection methods are available for most types of cancer, however, some of these tests/early detection methods can be quite expensive if you don’t have health insurance. Refer to the data at the table and answer the following questions: 1. What trends do you see in health insurance

status and use of early detection methods. 2. What are some potential problems for our

society if individuals don’t have the ability to utilize early detection methods?

Trends in Annual Mammography Use by Health Insurance Status, US, 2000-2010

Trends in Pap Test Prevalence* by Health Insurance Status, US, 2000-2010

Trends in the Prevalence of Fecal Occult Blood Test* by Health Insurance Status, US, 2000-2010

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy Prevalence* by Race/Ethnicity and Health Insurance Status, US, 2010

Station 61. Look at the skin cancer fact sheet and write down

four facts that you found most interesting. 2. Examine the mole model/picture to practice

looking for the warning signs. Notice how the cancerous moles exhibit irregular borders deeper in the skin. Do you have any moles that resemble these?

3. List three problems that UV rays can cause. 4. What are two ways that you can protect yourself

from skin cancer?

Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor involving the skin cell pigment producing melanin. Moles can resemble malignant melanomas that are the most dangerous type of the skin cancers and can spread rapidly. One feature of melanomas is easy injury with bleeding, however there are other characteristics that could indicate melanoma. The good news is that if caught early enough and treated, melanoma is curable. Many people have moles, and most moles are not cancerous and do not cause a problem. A mole that exhibits any of the characteristics outlined below should be evaluated immediately by your primary physician or a dermatologist.

The basic ABCDE warning signs to determine whether a mole is a melanoma are as follows:

A. Asymmetry: one half unlike the other half

B. Border Irregularity: irregular, scalloped, poorly defined

C. Color: varied from one area to another, shades of tan and brown, black; Sometimes white, red or blue

D. Diameter: greater than 6mm, but can be smaller

E. Evolving: looks different from the rest or changing in size, shape, color

In addition, there are other features of melanoma such as surface changes (bleeding, oozing, scaliness) or signs of itchiness, pain, or tenderness.

After examining the mole, if your doctor thinks the mole is a melanoma, then a biopsy will be performed for further analysis.