Cancer is caused by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth that can spread and cause death if left untreated. Over 85 million Americans will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. Common cancers include lung, colon and rectal, breast, and prostate cancers. Risk factors include tobacco use, diet, lifestyle, family history, occupational exposures, viruses, alcohol, pollution, and UV radiation. The American Cancer Society recommends avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, exercising, protecting skin from the sun, and following cancer screening guidelines to help prevent cancer.

1. Cancer Basics
X The abnormal, uncontrolled growth of
cells, which if left untreated, can
ultimately cause death
X 85 million Americans will develop
cancer at some time in their lives
X Benign tumors: do not spread to
neighboring tissues
X Malignant tumors: can invade
surrounding structures and spread to
distant sites
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2. Cancer
_ Cells dividing
uncontrollably
form an initial
visible mass or
"primary" tumor.
Once cells from
the primary tumor
break off,
secondary tumors
develop. All new
secondary tumors
are labeled by the High---- --Low
type of the primary
tumor.
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3. Common Cancers
X Lung cancer
– responsible for nearly 157,000 deaths each
year
– 87% of cases involve tobacco smoke
X Colon and rectal cancer
– linked to diet and genetic predisposition
X Breast cancer
– most common cancer in women
X Prostate cancer
– most common cancer in men
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4. Cancers of the Female
Reproductive Tract
X Cervical cancer
– more than 80% of cases are
sexually transmitted
– Pap test used for screening
X Uterine (endometrial) cancer
– most often occurs after age 55
X Ovarian cancer
– rare and difficult to detect
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5. Skin Cancer
X Caused by excessive exposure
to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
X 3 types of skin cancer
– basal cell
– squamous cell
– melanoma
X Use sunscreen and wear
protective clothing
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6. Other Cancers
X Oral cancer
– cancers of the lip, tongue, mouth, throat
– primarily traced to smoking, spit
tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption
– more than twice as common in men as in
women
X Testicular cancer
– most common cancer in men age 29-35
X Bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer,
leukemias, lymphomas
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7. Cancer Risk Factors
X Tobacco
X Diet and obesity
X Sedentary lifestyle
X Family history of cancer
X Occupational factors
X Viruses and other biological agents
X Alcohol
X Environmental pollution
X Ultraviolet radiation
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8. Preventing Cancer
X Avoid tobacco
X Control diet and weight
X Exercise regularly
X Protect skin from sun
X Avoid environmental and
occupational carcinogens
X Follow ACS screening guidelines
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