Cancer Concept Map Assignment

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Cancer Concept Map Assignment

Screening

Different types of screening

Blood Test/Skin Checks: Other screening tests include a blood test for colon cancer and regular skin checks by a doctor or dermatologist to look for changes in moles, new growths, and sores.

PSA Test: There is also a blood test, called the PSA test, that a doctor can prescribe to screen for prostate cancer. This is not widely used for men under the age of 50 as the incidence of prostate cancer is lower for that age group.

Male Self-Examination: Men can detect testicular cancer early through testicular self-examination.

Female Self-Examination: Many women take responsibility for their health by performing regular breast self-examinations to check for lumps that may indicate breast cancer.

Pap Test: Women can also be screened for early signs of cervical cancer, starting around age 18, by getting a regular Pap test.

General Info

How does cancer work? A cancer cell is one that continues to divide despite messages from the nucleus or the surrounding cells to stop growing and dividing.

Is cancer only for humans? Cancer is a serious concern for humans, but many other organisms, such as cats, dogs, fish, and even plants, can also develop cancer.

What are some common causes of cancer? Some types of cancer run in families, whereas others are triggered by environmental factors. Some cancers may have both hereditary and environmental causes.

What is cancer? Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells grow and divide out of control. It results from a change in the DNA that controls the cell cycle.

Causes

Causes of Cancer

Mutations: Some mutations are caused by carcinogens: environmental factors that cause cancer. Well-known carcinogens include tobacco smoke; radiation, such as X-rays and UV rays from tanning beds and sunlight; some viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B; certain chemicals in plastics; and many organic solvents.

Genetics: Some cancers appear to be at least partly hereditary. This means that the DNA passed from one generation to the next may contain information that leads to disease. These cancers include some breast cancers and some colon cancers.

Smoking: Carcinogens in tobacco affect more than just the lungs. Smoking also increases the risk of over a dozen other types of cancer. The good news is that most of these smoking-related cancers can be prevented by giving up smoking—or never starting in the first place and staying away from second-hand smoke.

Background Information Every time a cell divides, its DNA is faithfully duplicated. Usually, this process is error-free and the genetic information in the daughter cells is exactly the same as that in the parent cell.

Treatments

Types of Treatments

Biophotonics: The newest weapon in the fight against cancer, biophotonics, uses beams of light to detect and treat cancer. It is a very sensitive diagnostic tool, allowing for early detection of cancer. It has fewer side effects than conventional radiation treatment as it can more accurately target the cancerous tissue.

Surgery: Surgery — physically removing the cancerous tissue is sometimes the preferred way of treating cancer. If the tumor is easily accessible and fairly well defined, the doctors may recommend this option.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a method of treating cancer using drugs. These work by slowing or stopping the cancer cells from dividing and spreading to other parts of the body, and by killing the cells. The drugs can be injected or taken orally (by mouth).

Radiation: Cancer cells are easily damaged by ionizing radiation because they divide rapidly. Radiation therapy takes advantage of this. The DNA of many of the daughter cells is damaged by the radiation, so the cells cannot divide further.

Who is involved? Cancer treatment involves a team of medical specialists that may include surgeons, medical oncologists (doctors who specialize in cancer diagnosis and treatment), radiation oncologists, and oncology nurses.

Goal of Treatment: The goal of cancer treatment is to slow down the growth of the tumors or destroy as many cancer cells as possible.

Diagnosis

MRI: A fourth imaging technique is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In an MRI, radio waves and a strong magnetic field create images with more detail than a CT scan. Computers can assemble the information into three-dimensional models.

X-Ray: Doctors use X-ray images to view parts of the body such as bones and lungs. A mammogram is a specialized X-ray technique for imaging breast tissue.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging uses ultra–high-frequency sound waves to create a digital image. The digital image allows doctors to view certain soft tissues, such as the heart or the liver.

Endoscopy: An endoscope is commonly used to screen for colon cancer. The endoscope is made up of a fiber-optic cable to deliver light, a tiny camera, and a cable that sends the images to a screen.

CT Scanning: Another commonly used imaging technique is a CT or CAT scan (computerized axial tomography). A CT scan allows the X-ray technician to take multiple X-rays of the body from many different angles.

Benefits of Early Diagnosis: The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of it being successfully treated. If cancer is suspected, the doctor will order medical tests to investigate further. These tests can include blood tests and special imaging techniques. Imaging techniques may include endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound, CT scanning, and MRI.

Reducing Risk

Different ways you can do to reduce risk

Even though vitamin supplements may include some of these substances, the best way to obtain them is by eating the food itself.

The risk of some cancers increases with the amount of body fat a person has. A healthy diet may aid weight loss, which could lower the risk of cancer.

There are many lifestyle choices, besides avoiding tobacco smoke, that can help reduce your risk of developing cancer.

Screening does not prevent cancer, but it does increase the chance of detecting cancer early enough to successfully treat it. This is one important way to reduce your risk.

A healthy diet including a lot of fruits and vegetables and less fatty meat may help. Research has shown that certain “super foods” contain substances that help your body protect itself from cancers.