| Cancer is a disease in which the body | | | | cancers are related to tobacco products |
| cells grow uncontrollably because their | | | | such as cigarettes and cigars. 10% of |
| normal regulatory mechanisms have been | | | | skin cancer cases are related to the sun |
| damaged. There are literally hundreds of | | | | and UV rays. 7% of lymphoma, leukaemia, |
| different types and subtypes of cancer | | | | bone cancer and liver cancer cases are |
| however the majority form solid tumours | | | | related to viruses such as Epstein Barr, |
| in specific areas of the body. The most | | | | HIV, Hepatitis C etc. Pesticides and |
| common cancers are skin cancer, breast | | | | chemicals, or occupational factors |
| cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer and | | | | figure into 4% or mouth, throat, stomach |
| prostate cancer. Unfortunately the | | | | and lymphoma cancer cases. Approx 3% of |
| disease is very proficient at spreading | | | | stomach, colon and liver cancer have |
| through the blood and the lymphatic | | | | been linked to excessive consumption of |
| system and so in advanced cancer cases | | | | alchohol. |
| it is not uncommon to see secondary | | | | Aging and Cancer |
| tumours in far off areas of the body. | | | | Cancer is most common among older |
| The Genetics of Cancer | | | | people, largely because their cells have |
| One of the most important breakthroughs | | | | had more time to accumulate genetic |
| in cancer research came in the late | | | | damage, but also because the body's |
| 1970s when scientists discovered that | | | | defences against cancer, particularly |
| all types of cancer begin with the | | | | the cells and proteins of the immune |
| genetic material within normal body | | | | system, gradually become less efficient |
| cells becoming damaged. Every cell | | | | with age. In addition a cancer that |
| contains genetic information in the form | | | | began earlier in life may not be |
| of more than 90,000 pairs of genes which | | | | diagnosed until old age because it can |
| work together to control the activities | | | | take years for some types of cancer, |
| of the cell. A cell can become cancerous | | | | most noticeably prostate cancer, to grow |
| when specific genes, such as those that | | | | large enough to produce noticeable |
| control division, become damaged beyond | | | | symptoms. |
| repair. How and why genes become damaged | | | | Because life expectancy has increased |
| is still a hot topic for research | | | | dramatically over the last 50 years it |
| however it would seem that faulty genes | | | | means that cancer is now one of the most |
| are either inherited or they are caused | | | | common causes of death in the developed |
| by carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), | | | | world, second only to coronary heart |
| for example sunlight and cigarette | | | | disease. |
| smoke. | | | | Cancer treatment today |
| Our body cells are continually exposed | | | | For over 2000 years, doctors have |
| to carcinogens however in the majority | | | | attempted to cure cancer by surgically |
| of cases cancer doesn't develop. There | | | | removing visible tumours. For some |
| are a number of reasons why this is so, | | | | localised cancers radiotherapy is very |
| for example: | | | | effective and this treatment is often |
| · Cells can normally repair their own | | | | combined with surgery with the aim of |
| damaged genes so that they continue to | | | | achieving a cure. Treatment with |
| function properly. · More than one gene | | | | anti-cancer drugs, known as |
| has to be damaged in order for cancer to | | | | chemotherapy, may be used instead of or |
| develop. | | | | in combination with surgery to destroy |
| · The body's immune system can normally | | | | cancers that have unfortunately already |
| kill any cancer cells before they get | | | | spread around the body. |
| the chance to multiply and form a | | | | New therapies for the treatment of |
| tumour. | | | | cancer that are currently being assessed |
| The Causes of Cancer | | | | include inactivating the damaged genes |
| Although most cancers appear to be | | | | so that they no longer send messages to |
| caused by several factors, including | | | | the cell, and boosting the body's |
| genetic/inherited ones, a main | | | | natural immune system so that it has the |
| environmental cause can often be | | | | ability to destroy any cancerous cells. |
| identified for a particular cancer i.e. | | | | These therapies are still in the |
| smoking cigarettes is commonly | | | | experimental phase however both the |
| associated with lung cancer. | | | | American Cancer Society and the National |
| Approximately 35% of stomach cancer and | | | | Cancer Institute of the UK, i.e. Cancer |
| prostate cancer cases are related to | | | | Research, are working towards making |
| diets of unhealthy foods with little or | | | | them viable treatment options for future |
| no fresh fruit and vegetables. 30% of | | | | generation. |
| lung, breast, colon, cervical and throat | | | | |