Cancer Lesson

Learning Topic:

Specific facts and vocabulary about cancer.

Focus Question:

How would you define cancer?

Cancer Vocabulary

• Tumor: when a group of cells do not function as part of the body.– The cells do not know when to stop growing or

dividing.

• Oncology: study of cancer.

Tumor types

• Benign: tumors that cannot spread throughout the body.

• Malignant: capable of spreading by invasion (technically, the term cancer applies only to malignant tumors).

– Metastasis: when a tumor has spread it is considered to have metastasized.

• A tumor is caused by an accumulation of DNA mutations. Mutations come from radiation, carcinogens, or can be random.

• A few viruses can cause cancer.

Cancer is not contagious.

A person’s own cells are growing out of control. It is

difficult to destroy because the body does not

recognize that there is something wrong. The cells

have the same DNA as the rest of the body. Foreign

DNA is attacked by the immune system and

destroyed.

Cancer is not considered hereditary

because 80-90% of cancer occurs in people with

no family history. However, some mutations can

be inherited, increasing a person’s chances of

getting cancer.

Ways to Prevent Cancer (National Cancer Institute 2000)

• Avoid exposure to carcinogens and radiation (x-rays, UV light, cigarette smoke).

• Limit consumption of alcohol, fatty foods, and too much food. People who smoke and drink are 40x more likely to get cancer. (6x if one or the other is done.)

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

• Avoid inhaling chemicals through dust and smoke (some jobs require you to wear a mask).

• Go to the doctor regularly.

Some Cancer Facts (National Cancer Institute 2000)

• Cigarette smoke contains more than 24 different carcinogens (chemicals that could cause cancer).

• Smoking cigarettes is responsible for at least 1/3 of cancer deaths, the largest single cause of death from cancer.

Ticket to Leave

• Put your name on the front

• On the back, answer question # ____:1. What are causes of cancer?2. What is the difference between benign and

malignant tumors?3. Why is cancer not contagious?

Ticket to Leave

Homework

Journal Entry:

Write down something you learned about cancer from this lesson that you did

not know previously.