3. 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.
4. 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.
5. BENIGN
Slow growing
Capsulated
Non-invasive
- Does not
metastasize
Well differentiated
MALIGNANT
Fast growing
Not capsulated
Invasive and
infiltrative
- It metastasizes
Poorly
differentiated
6.
7. 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
8. Carcinomas – develop from epithelial cells
Sarcomas – develop from bones, cartilage
and muscles
Leukaemia - Blood
9. 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
10. Treatment for cancer include:
Surgery – cutting out the tumour. It is only
effective on benign tumours
11. Traditional technology – traditional doctors
use a small shrub Sutherlandia frutescens
commonly known as ‘kankerbossie’ or cancer
bush as remedy for cancer.
12. 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.
13. Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Hair loss
Nausea
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Skin changes
Diarrhoea
Weight loss
14. 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.
