The document is a study on cancer conducted by Pragya Bharti for her 12th grade biology investigatory project. It defines cancer as abnormal cell growth with potential to spread. It discusses common cancer types, signs and symptoms, differences between normal and cancer cells, how cancer cells are activated, prevention steps like maintaining antioxidant levels, main causes of cancer such as tobacco and viruses, and treatments including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

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STUDY OF CANCER
BY:
Pragya Bharti
XII
BIOLOGY
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

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CERTIFICATE

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As a student of Class XII, I did this project as a part of my
studies entitled “Study of Cancer”. I owe a deep sense of
gratitude to my biology teacher Mrs. Radhika Mahajan,
whose valuable advice, guidance helped me in doing this
project from conception to completion.
At the same time, I cannot forget to express my gratitude to
our school Principal Mr. Hari Babu sir for extending his
generous, patronage and constant encouragement.
Finally, I am thankful to my parents for helping me
economically, and my friends for being a helping hand at
every step of this project.

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STUDY OF CANCER
1, What is Cancer actually?
Cancer is a disease involving abnormal cell growth with a
potential to invade to other parts of the body. In contrast benign
tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.
They form a subset of neoplasm. A neoplasm or tumor is a group
of cells that have undergone unregulated growth and will often
form a mass or lump, but may be distributed diffusely.
2, COMMON TYpES OF CANCER
Bladder Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Lung Cancer
Cancer cells stealing energy from normal
healthy cells.
Cancer develops when the cell’s genetic
material gets damaged or mutated.

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Lymphoma- Non-Hodge skin
Melanoma
Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Brain Cancer
3, SiGNS AND SYMpTOMS
It produces no symptoms at the beginning of cancer, the actual
symptoms starts when there is a mass growth or ulcerates.
People may become anxious or depressed post-diagnosis. The risk
of suicide in people with cancer is approximately double.
Mass effects from lung cancer can block the bronchus resulting in
cough or Pneumonia; Esophageal Cancer can cause narrowing of
the Esophagus, making it difficult or painful to swallow; and
Colorectal Cancer may lead to narrowing or blockages in the
Bowel, affecting bowel habits. Masses in breasts or testicles may
produce observable lumps. Ulceration can cause bleeding that, if
it occurs in the lung, will lead to coughing up blood, in the bowels

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to anemia or rectal bleeding, in the bladder to blood in the urine
and in the uterus to vaginal bleeding.
These are some local symptoms which can show up the growth of
cancer cells.
4, DiFFERENCE bETWEEN NORMAL CELLS AND
CANCER CELLS
NORMAL CELLS CANCER CELLS
CELL REPRODUCTION
Cell reproduction is needed to
replenish the cell population
that ages or becomes
damaged or destroyed.
Normal cells reproduce
properly.
These cells may have gene
mutations or chromosome
mutations that affect the
reproductive properties the
cells. They don’t experience
biological aging and maintain
their ability to replicate and
grow.
Ulcerates: Sore on the skin or a mucous
membrane accompanied by disintegration of
tissue. Results in complete loss of epidermis.

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5, How Does Cancer cells activate?
It is well known that cancer is preceded by damaged DNA.
Because DNA is encoded with the instructions for cell behavior,
damaged DNA can alter cell processes including those that
regulate growth and division. This is supported by the fact that
tissues which have a high cell-division rate, such as bone and
lymph, are the most common sites for cancer.
Some genes, encoded on DNA, act as a switch that can be turned
on or off depending on cell needs. Free radicals have the ability to
break DNA strands which can result in some genes being
permanently switched on, such is the case with cancerous cell
growth. Although it is often taught that the DNA mutations that

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lead to cancer happen at random, research suggests there are
epigenetic triggers that may increase prevalence of DNA damage.
6, PREVENTION STEPS:
DNA is vital for cell function and the body has mechanisms
by which it protects DNA from being damaged. One of the
most important mechanisms is the one responsible for the
production of antioxidants. A major step in the prevention
of DNA damage, and therefore cancer, would be to
optimize antioxidant activity. Research has suggested that
this can be achieved through the adoption of a diet that
incorporates antioxidant rich foods or extracts.

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Glutathione plays a major role in the antioxidant activities
of the body. Evidence shows that this molecule alone has
the ability to influence cancer risk in a directly correlative
manner. This means that by increasing your body’s supply
of glutathione, you are drastically improving its ability to
control free radicals before they damage cells. There are
several ways in which you can increase your supply of
glutathione.
7, DEvELOpMENT OF CANCER

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8, MAiN CAUSES OF CANCER:
Tobacco use is the cause of about 33% of cancer deaths.
Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical
activity, excessive drinking of alcohol.
Nearly 20% of cancer cause is due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C
and human papillomavirus.
Approximately 5-10% of cancer is due to inherited genetic
defect from person’s parents.

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9, TREATMENT OF CANCER:
SURGERY

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RADiATiON THERApY
CHEMOTHERAPY

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 IMMUNOTHERAPY

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