Introduction:

The actual cause of cancer remains a mystery and the term refers to over 100
diseases that affect every part of your body.

Cancer has existed from all human history. It was recorded in Circa in 1600 BC. In
15 -17 centuries it was acceptable for doctors to dissect bodies to discover the
cause of death. Wilhelm Fabry a German professor believed that breast cancer was
caused by a milk clot in a mammary duct. Francois de la Boe Sylvius (Dutch
believed that all diseases were the outcome of a chemical process and acidic lymph
fluid was the cause of cancer. Since cancer is a class of disease it is unlikely that
there will ever be a single cure for cancer, just like there is no single cure for
infectious diseases. People diagnosis with cancer become anxious or depress
therefore the risk of suicide can be high.

Objectives:

1. What is cancer and definitions associated with cancer?

2. What are Carcinogens?
3. Know the primary categories of carcinogens.
4. Understand the types of cancers.
5. Signs and symptoms.
6. Know the causes of cancers.
7. Understand why the treatments are important.
8. Used preventative measures.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a large family of diseases that involve abnormal tissue growth with the
potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. They form a subset of
neoplasms which is a group of cells that have undergone unregulated growth and
will form a lump. In order for a normal cell to transform into a cancer cell, the
genes which are responsible for cell growth must be altered and divided into two

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categories Oncogenes and Tumor suppressor genes. These changes occur at
different levels and this process is called mutations. Cancer is called the great
imitator which causes cancer patients to be treated for other diseases.

Definitions:

1. Oncogenes: These promote cell growth and reproduction. These

also inhabit cell division and survival.
2. Carcinoma: These derived from epithelial cells, which include:
breast, prostate, lung, pancreas and colon.
3. Sarcoma: These are from connective tissue like - bone, cartilage,
fat, nerve.
4. Lymphoma &Leukaemia: These are blood forming cells that
leave the marrow and mature in the lymph nodes and blood.
5. Germ cell Tumour: Found in the testicle or ovaries.
6. Blastoma: These are immature cells or embryonic tissue.
7. Benign Tumours: these are not nor cancers or cancer related but
are found in the uterus and are called Fibroids.
8. Metastasis: Is the spread of cancer to other locations either by
blood or lymph system.

Carcinogens:

These are factors that increase your risk, trigger the growth and aid with the
spreading of cancer in your body. They can be of chemical form, physical or
biological agents that cause cellular destruction, if allowed to accumulate in the
body in large amounts or for extended periods.

The removal of as many carcinogens as possible from your life is important to help
prevent cancer.

Primary Categories of Carcinogens:

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1. Tobacco Smoke:

Whether you are a smoker or a victim of second hand smoke, it is

believed that this is the number one cancer causing habit. It is not the
actual tobacco that causes cancer but the chemicals used during the
production. Smoking causes direct cancer to the lungs, esophagus,
respiratory tract, bladder, and pancreas. Indirectly causes cancer to the
stomach, liver and kidneys. Nonsmokers usually have lung cancer. Lung
cancer has the lowest survival rate and it is the main killer.

2. Diet:

What you consume can also trigger the cancer cells. The foods of today
are filled with fat, sugar and sodium which results in obesity. On the
market are also modified foods and chemical toxins which are added to
some foods which are dangerous if consumed in large amounts.

3. Pathogens:

Some viruses, parasites and bacteria can cause cancer. Hepatitis B and C,
Parasitic organisms are the main causes and can be carcinogenic in the
human body.

Sterilization of drinking water, Proper hygiene, and adequate sanitation

reduces the spread of such parasites.

4. Radiation:

People who work with radioactive materials are at risk and who are
expose to ultra violet rays normally have skin damage and cancer. Skin

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 cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer. Therefore it is important to
protect your skin if you are going to be in the sun for a prolong time.

5. Environmental and Occupational Hazards:

Air, water and soil pollution can cause cancer to the lungs and bladder.
Such as asbestos, lead, benzene and vinyl chloride.

Types of cancer: 1. Found in males are:

(Lung cancer, prostate colorectal and stomach cancer.)

2. Found in females:

(Breast and cervical cancer)

3. Found in children:

(Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and brain tumours)

Signs and Symptoms:

When cancer begins it produces no signs and symptoms. It appears as the mass
grows or ulcerates and the findings depend on the cancer’s type and location,
however local and systemic systems are shown.

Lung Cancer Blockage of the bronchus (coughing and pneumonia)

Oesophagus narrowing of the oesophagus (Painful to swallow)

Colorectal narrowing of the bowel (affecting bowel habits)

Ulceration Bleeding (coughing of blood, anaemia, rectal bleeding and

blood in urine.

Some cancers can cause a build-up of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

Unintentional weight loss, fever, excessive fatigue, changes to the skin,

Leukaemia’s and cancer to the liver of kidney can cause persistent fever

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Are there any Questions?

Q1. What is Cancer?

A1. Cancer is a large family of diseases that involve abnormal tissue growth
with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

Q2. What are carcinogens?

A2. These are factors that increase your risk, trigger the growth and aid with
the spreading of cancer in your body.

Q3. What are the Primary Categories of Carcinogens?

A3. Tobacco Smoke, Diet, Pathogens, Radiation, Environmental and

Occupational Hazards.

Causes of cancer: 1. Environmental factors (Pollution, tobacco, obesity,

infections, radiation stress and lack of physical activity.)

2. Inherited Genetics: (Breast, ovarian and pancreatic:

(BRCA1, BRCA2)),

Colon uterine, small bowel, stomach (HNPCC, MLH1,

MSH2, MSH6))

Urinary tract (PMS1, PMS2)

Treatments:

Cancer is often treated with a combination of radiation therapy, surgery,

chemotherapy and palliative care which is of paramount importance.

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Preventative measures:

Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight,

limit the amount of alcohol consumed, eat plenty vegetables, fruits and whole
grains, be vaccinated against certain infectious disease, Limit red meat and void
process foods and exposure to sunlight. Get early detection through screening.

Screening of the breast or a Mammography should be every two years.

Cervix at least up till age 65.

Physical examinations, blood or urine test, and medical imaging.

Vaccines where necessary to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Are there any Questions?

Q1. What are the types of Cancer?

A1. Lung cancer, prostate colorectal and stomach cancer, Breast and cervical
cancer Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and brain tumours

Q2. What are some of the preventative measures?

A2. No smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, limit the amount of alcohol

consumed, eat plenty vegetables, fruits and whole grains, be vaccinated against
certain infectious disease, Limit red meat and void process foods and exposure to
sunlight. Get early detection through screening. Screening of the breast or a
Mammography should be every two years.

Physical Activity:

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while
movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserved it” Plato (427-
347 BC)

Physical Activity:

Physical activity intercepts with the pre-diagnosis and survivorship setting and
plays a role in the prevention of many cancers. Exercise is known to decrease
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treatment side-affects: Those who exercise while in treatment have improved on
self-health during and after treatment in areas of memory loss, shortness of breath
and lower levels of being fatigue after their treatment, increase recovery after being
diagnosis and it enhance survival. Men who undergoes therapy for advance cancer
and participate in aerobic and resistance training has an increase sexual interest and
activity.

Moderate to High intensity exercises provides greater improvements in health.

Exercise also plays a major role in recovery in the early stages in reducing the
effects of both the disease and its treatment because it decreases adiposity and
improves insulin sensitivity and inflammation with in the body

Therefore exercise should be part of the healing process before, during and after
being diagnose and it definitely should be done after treatment.

Are there any Questions on the lesson?