Non-infectious Disease

What is it?

• Disease that does not spread from person to person

• Usually chronic

• Examples:– Cancer– Allergies– Diabetes– Autoimmune diseases-arthritis

Diabetes

• Pancreas does not produce enough insulin• Both types have genetic tendencies• Type 1

– Immune system attacks pancreas– Pancreas stops producing insulin– No cure– Occurs in childhood or adolescence

• Type 2– Body doesn’t respond to insulin– Occurs in adulthood– Risk factors: high blood pressure, overweight– Cured by weightloss

Autoimmune diseases

• Immune system attacks own cells– Multiple sclerosis-nervous system– Rheumatoid arthritis- joints– Lupus- skin, joints, kidneys

• No cure

Allergies

• Immune system overreacts to foreign substances

• Common allergens– Penicillin– mold– Dust– pollen

• Treated with antihistamines

Cancer

• Body cells divide out of control

• Cell cycle becomes unregulated

• Caused by mutations of genes– Pathogens- viruses can mutate genes– Chemicals- nicotine– Radiation- UV light

4 main types

• Carcinoma– External/skin

• Sarcoma– Internal tissue/bone,muscle

• Leukemia– Blood forming tissue (marrow, spleen)

• Lymphoma– Lymph system (lymph nodes, lymph fluid)

Tumors

• Form when cells grow uncontrollably into a mass.

• Benign-Not cancer– Cells stay clumped– Can be removed easily– Can cause damage in the brain

• Malignant-Cancer– Cells spread out– Infect other tissues– Especially dangerous if infects lymph nodes– Spreading called metastasis

Treatment

• Chemotherapy-– Chemicals are put into the body to destroy

fast growing cells– Targets cancer cells (as well as hair and

blood cells)

• Radiation– Uses radiation beams to kill cancer cells and

target tumors– Can make you sick

Other option

• Surgery– Remove tumor– Remove entire organ if possible (breast,

ovaries, testes)

Women

• Breast cancer– Hard to detect because of mammary glands– Can be malignant or benign

• Ovarian cancer– Tumors on ovary tissue– Can spread into the uterus if not caught

• Cervical cancer– Tumors form on cervix– Can spread to other body parts

Men

• Prostate cancer– Gland that makes seminal fluid/between rectum and

bladder– Tumors can be benign or malignant. Can cause

death

• Testicular cancer– Tumors form in testes– Most common among young men

• Breast cancer– 1,700 diagnosed every year– Tumors form in breast area

Environmental

• Lung cancer– Caused by tobacco smoke, asbestos, genetics

• Skin Cancer/melanoma– UV radiation– Family history– Usually benign and can be removed, malignant can

be deadly• Throat/mouth

– Chewing and smoking tobacco– Drinking alcohol– Can cause permanent damage to larynx and tongue