What is Cancer?
What is Cancer?
The term “cancer” refers to more than
100 different diseases that begin in the
cells (the body’s basic unit of life)
where the cells begin to grow out of
control.
Cell Loses Control of Normal Growth
Normal
cell division
Cell Suicide (Apoptosis)
Cell damage—
no repair
Cancer
cell division
First
mutation
Second
mutation
Third
mutation
Fourth or
later mutation
Uncontrolled growth
Example of Normal Growth
Dead cells
shed from
outer surface
Epidermis
Dividing cells in
basal layer
Cell migration
Dermis
Beginning of a Cancerous Growth
Underlying tissue
How a Tumor Forms
Underlying tissue
How Cancer Cells Invade & Spread
1
Cancer cells invade
surrounding tissues and
blood vessels
2
Cancer cells are
moved by the
circulatory system to
other tissues/organs
3
Cancer cells reinvade
and grow at new
location
Example:
Brain
Melanoma cells
travel through
bloodstream
Liver
Melanoma
(initial tumor)
Example:
Brain
Melanoma cells
travel through
bloodstream
Liver
Melanoma
(initial tumor)
Example:
Brain
Melanoma cells
travel through
bloodstream
Liver
Melanoma
(initial tumor)
Example:
Brain
Melanoma cells
travel through
bloodstream
Liver
Melanoma
(initial tumor)
Example:
Brain
Melanoma cells
travel through
bloodstream
Liver
Melanoma
(initial tumor)
Malignant vs. Benign Tumors
Benign (not cancer) tumor
cells grow
only where they started to
grow and cannot spread
Time
Malignant (cancer) cells
grow into neighboring
tissues, enter blood
vessels, and move to
different sites
Types
Some common
carcinomas:
Lung
Breast
Colon
Bladder
Prostate (men)
Leukemias:
Bloodstream
Lymphomas:
Lymph nodes
Some common
sarcomas:
Fat
Bone
Muscle
Naming Cancers
Cancer Prefixes Point to Location
Prefix
Meaning
adeno-
gland
chondro-
cartilage
erythro-
red blood cell
hemangio-
blood vessels
hepato-
liver
lipo-
fat
lympho-
lymphocyte
melano-
pigment cell
myelo-
bone marrow
myo-
muscle
osteo-
bone
Early Cancer May Not Have Any Symptoms
How is Cancer Detected
& Diagnosed?
Cancer Screening & Prevention
0 Screening tests for common types of cancer:
0 Breast – Screening Mammogram
0 Cervix – Pap Test
0 Colon – fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy,
sigmoidoscopy
0 Prostate – PSA test
Barriers to Screening
0 Examples of barriers include:
- Fear of cancer
- Lack of knowledge
- Modesty
- Communication
- Illness beliefs
Possible Symptoms
0 There are many different symptoms known to be
associated with certain types of cancers.
0 A symptom is a sign that something is not right in the
body and does NOT always indicate cancer.
Possible Symptoms
0 Change in bowel or bladder habits
0 A sore that does not heal
0 Unusual bleeding or discharge
0 Thickening, lump, or swelling in the breast or any
other part of the body
0 Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
0 Recent change in wart or mole
0 Nagging cough or hoarseness
Diagnosis of Cancer
0 To diagnose the presence of cancer, a doctor must
remove a piece of affected tissue (biopsy) and look at
it under a microscope.
Diagnosis of Cancer
0 Once the cancer diagnosis has been made, more
testing may be necessary to determine the primary
site (where the cancer started).
0 The primary site helps determine the type of
treatment of the cancer.
Staging
1. In situ: Early cancer that has not spread to
neighboring tissues.
2. Local: Cancer is found only in the organ where it
started to grow.
3. Regional: Cancer has spread to the surrounding
tissues or lymph nodes.
4. Distant: Cancer has spread to other organs and
systems of the body.
Western vs. Traditional Approaches to
Cancer Treatment
Western
0 Science based.
0 Focuses on the physical aspect of
disease.
0 A team of special doctors work
together to develop a treatment
plan to fit each person’s
situation.
Traditional
0 A traditional healer establishes a
long-term relationship with the
person and their family.
0 Treatment plan focus is on the
“whole person”.
Treatment
Treatment for cancer depends on several factors including:
0 Type of cancer
0 The size, location and stage of the disease
0 General health of the individual
Treatment
A treatment plan may include the following:
0 Surgery
0 Chemotherapy
0 Radiation Therapy
0 Hormone Therapy
0 Biologic Therapy
0 Clinical Trial
Treatment
Side Effects:
0 Side effects of cancer treatment result from damage to
healthy cells and tissues in additional to the cancer cells.
0 Depend of the type and extent of treatment.
0 May include: nausea/vomiting, fatigue, numbness,
lymphedema, pain, sleep, sexual side effects . . . Others?
Resources
0 Native American Cancer Research:
www.natamcancer.org
Resources
0 Native Circle:
http://cancercenter.mayo.edu/nativeresources.cfm
Resources
0 American Cancer Society:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsS
ervices/index
Resources
0 American Cancer Society:
0 Online Support Communities
0 ‘Road to Recovery’ – Rides to Treatment
0 ‘Hope Lodge’ – Rides to Treatment
0 ‘TLC’ – Hair Loss & Mastectomy Products
0 ‘Reach to Recovery’ – Breast Cancer Support
0 ‘Man to Man’ – Prostate Cancer Support
0 ‘I Can Cope’ – Cancer Education Classes
0 ‘Look Good . . . Feel Better’ for Teens
0 Patient Navigation Services
Number: 1-800-227-2345
Resources
0 National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
0 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/life-aftertreatment/page1
Resources
0 Journey Forward: http://journeyforward.org/
Resources
0 LIVESTRONG: www.livestrong.org
Resources
0 Iowa Cancer Consortium: www.canceriowa.org
0 Special thanks to Cancer 101 slides developed by the
National Cancer Institute and the NW Tribal Cancer
Control Project.