The danger of cancer

The Danger of Cancer The Danger of Cancer

What Is Cancer? What Is Cancer?

Cancer is defined as a group of diseases Cancer is defined as a group of diseases which are characterized by uncontrollable which are characterized by uncontrollable

growth and spread of abnormal cells. growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Reference: Lifetime of Physical Fitness and Wellness, page 530

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How Cancer StartsHow Cancer Starts

Begins with an alteration of DNA. Begins with an alteration of DNA. Within DNA: oncogenes and tumor Within DNA: oncogenes and tumor

suppressor genes- They work together to suppressor genes- They work together to make sure cells are healthy and replace those make sure cells are healthy and replace those which are not. which are not.

Defects from things like radiation, Defects from things like radiation, chemicals, viruses, and genetic mutations chemicals, viruses, and genetic mutations cause these genes to not work. cause these genes to not work.

Reference: Lifetime of Physical Fitness and Wellness pg. 365

How Cancer SpreadsHow Cancer Spreads

Over time, these built up damaged cells Over time, these built up damaged cells will grow together into a tumor. will grow together into a tumor.

These defective cells are not being These defective cells are not being checked by enzymes in the body, so they checked by enzymes in the body, so they keep dividing and create more mutated keep dividing and create more mutated cells, which grow into a tumor eventually.cells, which grow into a tumor eventually.

After a while of dividing, the cancer can go After a while of dividing, the cancer can go into metastasis. into metastasis.


Metastasis Metastasis

The movement of cells from one part of the body The movement of cells from one part of the body to another. to another.

With cancerous cells, they go through a process With cancerous cells, they go through a process called angiogenesis; which is when blood called angiogenesis; which is when blood vessels begin to form in the tumor.vessels begin to form in the tumor.

Through these blood vessels, the cancerous Through these blood vessels, the cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body. cells can spread to other parts of the body. This This is why cancer can be deadlyis why cancer can be deadly

Skin CancerSkin Cancer

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Risk Factors of Skin CancerRisk Factors of Skin Cancer

UV light exposure: too much UV UV light exposure: too much UV exposure to skin is BAD!!!exposure to skin is BAD!!!

Personal Family History of Personal Family History of Melanoma/Moles: if it runs in your family, Melanoma/Moles: if it runs in your family, be extremely carefulbe extremely careful

Photo credit: www.naturaskinclinic.co.uk Reference: Lifetime of Physical Fitness and Wellness pg. 377-382

Work Environment: mines, around Work Environment: mines, around coal/tar, radioactive materials, or arsenic coal/tar, radioactive materials, or arsenic can cause skin cancer. can cause skin cancer.

Radiation: if you have undergone Radiation: if you have undergone radiation, you are at a higher risk of skin radiation, you are at a higher risk of skin cancer in treated area.cancer in treated area.

Reference: Lifetime of Physical Fitness and Wellness pg. 377-382

Skin Color/ Complexion Skin Color/ Complexion

Skin Type: if you have lighter skin, you are more Skin Type: if you have lighter skin, you are more likely to develop skin cancer if you are out in the likely to develop skin cancer if you are out in the sun a lot versus someone who has darker skin. sun a lot versus someone who has darker skin. The risk also increases if you burn easily! The risk also increases if you burn easily!

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Warning Signs of Skin CancerWarning Signs of Skin Cancer

ABCDE RuleABCDE Rule

A: Asymmetry: ½ of the mole/ lesion A: Asymmetry: ½ of the mole/ lesion doesn’t resemble the other half of the moledoesn’t resemble the other half of the mole

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B: Border: A mole has an irregular or B: Border: A mole has an irregular or unclear border unclear border

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C: Color: the color of the mole varies from one C: Color: the color of the mole varies from one area of the mole to another. Even if the color of area of the mole to another. Even if the color of the mole is black, white, brown, red, etc., it the mole is black, white, brown, red, etc., it should be a uniform color throughout. should be a uniform color throughout.

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D: Diameter: if the mole is larger than 1/4D: Diameter: if the mole is larger than 1/4thth inch or larger than a pencil eraser, it could inch or larger than a pencil eraser, it could be serious. be serious.

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E: Elevation: Does the mole raise off the E: Elevation: Does the mole raise off the skin? If so, there may be a problem. skin? If so, there may be a problem.

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3 Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer 3 Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer

1.1. Make a drawing of yourself. Do a full front and Make a drawing of yourself. Do a full front and back exam in a mirror and mark on a sheet of back exam in a mirror and mark on a sheet of paper which places have moles. Include feet paper which places have moles. Include feet and hands. and hands.

2.2. Do a brief exam of the moles on your body Do a brief exam of the moles on your body regularly- look for changes especially. regularly- look for changes especially.

3.3. If you have any potential abnormalities, If you have any potential abnormalities, photograph them regularly for an extended photograph them regularly for an extended amount of time. If there are any changes, amount of time. If there are any changes, consult your doctor with the photographs. consult your doctor with the photographs.


Prevent Skin Cancer NowPrevent Skin Cancer Now

In order to prevent skin cancer TODAY: In order to prevent skin cancer TODAY: Wear sunscreenWear sunscreen when you go outside: protect when you go outside: protect

your skin from the harmful UV rays the sun your skin from the harmful UV rays the sun can put off- especially if you are going to be can put off- especially if you are going to be outside frequently!outside frequently!

Cover Up!: Cover Up!: if you’re going to be outside for if you’re going to be outside for more than 10-20 minutes without sunscreen, more than 10-20 minutes without sunscreen, make sure you cover up your skin as much as make sure you cover up your skin as much as possible- whether with clothes or with shade, possible- whether with clothes or with shade, like a tree or beach umbrella.like a tree or beach umbrella.

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The danger of cancer