Chapter 3

• The term "cancer" originates from the Greek word "karkinos" and the Latin "cancer," both meaning "crab," likely due to the crab-like appearance of tumors.
• Hippocrates and Celsus were early figures who used these terms to describe tumors. Hippocrates is often considered the Father of Medicine.
• Benign tumors do not spread and are typically not life-threatening.
• Genetic Mutations is the process by which a cell becomes cancerous due to rapid and uncontrollable growth.
• Malignant tumors can spread to other tissues and organs, a process known as metastasis.
• Carcinoma


  Originates in the skin or the tissue that covers the surface of internal organs and glands, could form solid tumors
• Sarcoma


  Starts in the tissues that support and connect the body or the body's support system
• Leukemia


  Cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system
• Lymphoma


  Cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting network including lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow
• Myeloma


  Type of bone marrow cancer or it affects the soft part inside bones
• THE MOST IMPORTANT RISK FACTORS ARE

  • Age
  • Genetics
  • Behaviors
  • Viruses or Bacteria
  • Exposure to Chemicals
  • Radiation
• Age: Cancer can happen at any age, but as we get older, our risk increases because our cells have had more time to develop changes that could lead to cancer
• Genetics: If someone in your family had a certain type of cancer, you might be more likely to get that same type. Certain genes passed down in families can increase the risk of developing cancer, especially for cancers like breast cancer or colon cancer.
• Behaviors: Things we do, like smoking tobacco, spending too much time in the sun without protection, eating unhealthy foods, not exercising, or drinking a lot of alcohol, can increase our risk of getting cancer.
• Viruses or Bacteria: Some viruses and bacteria can cause cancer. For example, HPV can lead to cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C viruses can cause liver cancer, and the Epstein-Barr virus can cause a type of lymphoma. Also, Helicobacter pylori bacteria can lead to stomach cancer.
• Exposure to Chemicals: Being around certain chemicals, like those in tobacco smoke or in the environment, can increase the risk of cancer
• Radiation: Certain types of radiation, like x-rays, gamma rays, and radon, have enough energy to damage our DNA, which can lead to cancer. Radiation is an environmental factor that can increase the risk of cancer by damaging the DNA. UV rays from the sun can also damage the DNA in our skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer. However, lower-energy forms of radiation, like visible light and the energy from cell phones, have not been found to cause cancer in people. X-Ray compared to Visible Light, UV rays, and Radio waves has enough energy to damage DNA.
• Early connection between cancer and a chemical was discovered

  Late 1700s
• An English doctor noted that due to exposure to soot, which contains chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a significant number of chimney sweeps had cancer of the scrotum</b>
• Carcinogens


  Known cancer-causing compounds
• Coming into contact with a carcinogen does not mean you will get cancer
• Factors that determine cancer risk from carcinogens

  • What you have been exposed to
  • How much you have been exposed
  • How often you have been exposed
• Increasing the risk of developing particular cancer types is related with certain carcinogenic agents
• Group 1 - Carcinogenic: These are substances that scientists are very sure can cause cancer in humans. It is carcinogenic with strong evidence. It's like saying, "Yep, this can definitely cause cancer."
• Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic: These are substances that scientists think might cause cancer in humans, but they're not completely sure yet. It's like saying, "Hmm, this might be able to cause cancer, but we need more evidence to be sure."
• INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (IARC) STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF CARCINOGENS INTERNATIONAL

  Group 1 Carcinogenic

  Group 2A Probably carcinogenic

  Group 2B Possibly carcinogenic

  Group 3 Carcinogenicity Not classifiable

  Group 4 Probably not carcinogenic
• Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic: These are substances that scientists have some evidence suggesting they could cause cancer in humans, but it's not strong enough to be sure. It's like saying, "There's a possibility this could cause cancer, but we're not certain yet."
• Group 3 - Carcinogenicity not classifiable: These are substances where scientists don't have enough evidence to say whether they can cause cancer or not. It's like saying, "We're not sure if this can cause cancer or not."
• Group 4 - Probably not carcinogenic: These are substances that scientists are pretty confident don't cause cancer in humans. It's like saying, "Nah, this probably won't cause cancer."
• TOOLS FOR FINDING OR DIAGNOSING CANCER INCLUDE:

  • Biopsy
  • Ultrasound imaging
  • X-ray (radiograph)
  • Mammography
  • Pap smear
  • Fecal occult blood tests (FOBT)
  • Computed tomography (CT)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from the body in order to examine it more closely. A doctor should recommend a biopsy when an initial test suggests an area of tissue in the body isn't normal.
• Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body's internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants. It's also used to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is safe, non-invasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.
• X-ray (radiograph) is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with xrays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Xrays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging
• Mammography is specialized medical imaging that uses a low-dose xray system to see inside the breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, aids in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women
• Pap smear also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women; • HPV DNA tests, which look for DNA from cancer-causing HPV types in cervical cells.
• Fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), which check for blood in the stool; sigmoidoscopy, which examines the lower colon; and colonoscopy, which examines the entire colon.
• • Computed tomography (CT)—the use of x-rays to produce a crosssectional picture of body parts
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to show changes in soft tissues without the use of x-rays.
• Ultrasound, X-ray, CT, and MRI are all painless and non-invasive; however, having too many CTs or x-rays can increase the risk of developing cancer because they expose you to radiation. In most cases the benefits outweigh the risks. Some people choose to do selfexams, such as feeling around their breasts or testicles for new lumps or looking over their skin. Talk to your doctor if you notice anything unusual.