Definition of Cancer Cancer is disease of regulation of tissue growth.

In this disease, the cells of the body display uncontrolled growth, invasion that intrudes and destroys adjacent tissues and spreads to other body locations. In order for a normal cell to transform into a cancer cell, genes which regulate cell growth and differentiation must be altered. Theories about Cancer 1. Cellular transformation and Derangement theory. In this theory, exposure of normal cells to some etiologic agent may transform normal cells into cancer cells. 2. Failure of the Immune Response Theory. This theory conceptualizes that all individuals possess cancer cells but these cancer cells are NOT recognized by the immune system. Thus, cancer cells undergo destruction. Failure of the immune response system to kill or destroy the cancer cells leads to cancer. Etiologic Factors or Carcinogens Viruses or Oncogenic Viruses. Prolonged and recurrent viral infections may lead to the breakdown of the immune system. The overwhelmed immune system may fail to destroy the cancer cells present in the body. The human papillomavirus (HPV) are particularly common cancer-causing virus which is well-known for causing genital warts and all cases of cervical cancer. Chemical carcinogens. These chemicals cause cell mutation or alter the cell enzymes and proteins. Industrial Compounds 1. Vinyl chloride plastic manufacture, asbestos factories, construction works 2. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 3. Fertilizers 4. Weed killers 5. Dyes analine dyes (most commonly found in beauty shops and used at homes), hair bleach 6. Drugs cytotoxic drugs, tar nicotine in tobacco, alcohol Hormones 1. Estrogen 2. Diethystilbesterol (DES) Foods, preservatives 1. Nitrites in bacon or smoked meat 2. Talc (polished rice, salami and chewing gum)

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Food sweeteners Nitrosomines (rubber baby nipples) Aflatoxins (mold in nuts, grains, milk, cheese and peanut butter) Polycyclic hydrocarbons Physical agents Radiation 1. From x-rays or radioactive isotopes 2. From sunlight or UV rays Physical irritation or trauma 1. Pipe smoking 2. Multiple deliveries Genetics Risk Factors 1. Older individuals 2. Women are more prone to breast, uterine and cervical cancer 3. Men are more prone prostate and lung cancer 4. Urban dwellers 5. Chemical factory workers 6. Farmers 7. Personnel of radiology department 8. Family history 9. Obesity 10. Stress Pathophysiology of Cancer A healthy cell becomes a cancer cell by undergoing the following processes: 1. Proto-oncogenes are changed to oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes are genes that are coded to maintain normal cell growth. In cases of a developing cancer, oncogene takes its place. Oncogene is a gene that makes cells grow and divide rapidly. 2. Cancer cell grows and divides rapidly. 3. Alteration of the tumor suppression genes takes place. 4. DNA repair genes are altered and turned off.

The Pathophysiology of Cancer When you are healthy, your body has over a trillion cells that divide at standard rateand pace. When you develop cancer your normal cells turn into cancer cells.Cancer cells have different DNA that healthy cells.One of the first steps in a healthy cell becoming a cancer cell is the change of theproto-oncogens to oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes are genes that are coded tomaintain normal cell growth. An oncogenes is a gene that has changed to make thecells grow and divide faster. In cancer cells the cell grows and divides very quickly. The second step to becoming a cancer cell is the tumor suppressor genes getturned off. Tumor suppressor genes are a part of a healthy cells DNA that help stopcancer from forming in healthy cells. Tumor suppressor genes help slow down cellgrowth, when these genes are turned off the cell with grow and divide very quickly. The last step to becoming a Cancer cell is the DNA repair genes gets turned off.DNA repair genes help your healthy cells know if something is wrong with its

DNAand how to fix it. When these genes get turned off the cell doesnt know if it is sick,and it cant fix any problems with its DNA