2.4 cancer

Chapter 2: Cell processes and energy

Miss Luzma Fabre

Section 4: Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells grow and divide uncontrollably, damaging the parts of the body around them

There are more than 100 types of cancer

How cancer begins

Scientists think cancer begins with a mutation, a damage that causes a change in the DNA

Cells begin to divide in an uncontrolled way

First, 1 cell develops in an abnormal way. As this cell divides, it produces more abnormal cells. These cells form a tumor

A tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that develops when cancerous cells divide and grow uncontrollably

How cancer spreads

Some cancerous cells may enter the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body

Treating and preventing cancer

3 common ways to treat cancer: surgery, radiation, and drugs that destroy the cancer cells

Surgery

When cancer is detected on a specific organ, surgery is the first option

Doctors remove the tumor

Radiation

If the cancer has spread to other organs or the tumor cannot be removed with surgery, doctors use radiation (uses high energy waves) to destroy fast –growing cancer cells

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat a disease. These drugs kill cancer cells or slow their growth

Preventing cancer

Avoid smoking Follow a healthy diet: eat many fruits

and vegetables, avoid foods high in fat such as fatty meats and fried foods

Protect your skin from sunlight