Within five years, cancer is projected to surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death according to the American Hospital Association. Cancer occurs when cells grow abnormally and spread uncontrollably, destroying healthy tissue. Carcinogens such as chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, and some viruses can cause cancer by damaging cells' DNA during cell division. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, with melanoma being the deadliest form but basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas being more treatable. Lung cancer has a close link to smoking and accounts for many cancer deaths annually. Treatment for cancer depends on the type and stage and may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

1. Cancer Within five years, cancer will surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death, according to the American Hospital Association. ( BOTH ARE SMOKING RELATED )

2. Cancer Cell division occurs throughout life as dead cells are replaced by new ones Genetics, irritation, and exposure to carcinogens can cause abnormal cells to grow and spread. When this happens, healthy tissues are destroyed and disrupted

3. carcinogens Chemicals, heavy metals, asbestos, toxic waste, pollution… Radiation from ultraviolet rays of sun and X Rays Some virus ( hepatitis B and C and Genital Warts )

4. Tumors All cancers are tumors, masses of tissues , but not all tumors are cancers. Some tumors are benign (non-cancerous) They are characterized by abnormal cells, but usually do not spread because they are surrounded by membranes. However, they can cause damage if they are in a bad location

5. Malignant Tumors =cancerous Cancer cells will break away and spread traveling through the lymphatic system (“2 nd circulatory system”) and blood vessels. Then they attach to a healthy cell and start to reproduce. This is called Metastasis - spreading from point of origin to other parts of the body

6. Skin Cancer- most common in US Three types: Melanoma Basal Cell Squamous Cell

7. Usually caused by sun, tanning beds Basal Cell and Squamous Cell are usually curable and don’t spread to other organs Melanoma needs to be caught early b/c it can be spread to lungs, brain, liver…

8. Melanoma- often deadly ¾ die from melanoma Melanoma is related to the common mole Changes in the appearance of moles should alert suspicion.

10. Basal cell and Squamous Cell Less aggressive Rarely painful Squamous Basal

11. Treatment for skin cancer Burned off, frozen off, surgically removed, creams for some basal cell, chemo for melanoma if it has spread

12. Lung Cancer 85 % of males with lung cancer and 75% of females with lung cancer are smokers Males who start smoking before 15 are 5 times more likely to get lung cancer Survival rate is 13%

13. Lung Cancer is categorized into two basic types Small Cell Faster growing, but more likely to respond to chemo. 2 stages: limited stage (generally cancer confined to chest) and extensive stage (cancer that has spread outside the chest). Non small cell 5 stages Early stages (1,2, sometimes 3) may be removed by surgery, later stages sometimes not curable (chemo or radiation or both)

14. Symptoms of lung cancer Symptoms Cough Bloody sputum Shortness of breath Wheeze Chest pain Loss of appetite Unintentional weight loss Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease

16. Oral Cancer Risk Factors: smoking, chewing, drinking alcohol

17. Colon and Rectal cancer- the 3 rd most common Usually develops in the lowest part of the colon, near the rectum Colostomy bag

18. Leukemia Cancer of blood-forming tissue in the bone marrow Weakens immune system Usually childhood disease- childhood leukemia has 95% success rate

19. Treatment of cancer- depends where, what kind, and what stage Surgery Radiation- radiation can destroy cancer cells and prevent them from growing back Chemotherapy - chemo can interfere with cell division- many side effects – nausea and vomiting, hair loss