Consumer

Chemistry
Quarter IV– Module 3:
Cancer and Carcinogens
Consumer Chemistry – Grade 9
Self-Learning Module
First Edition, 2020

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Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand
each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
At the end of each module, you need to answer the test to self-check your
learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will
be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they
can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any
part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and
tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering
the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.

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For the learner:
Welcome to the Consumer Chemistry Self – Learning Module 4 on Cancer and
Carcinogens!
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create, and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:
This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
Explore module. A brief drill or review to help you link
the current lesson with the previous one. The
new lesson will also be introduced to you in
various ways such as a story, a song, a poem, a
problem opener, an activity, or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of the
Learn lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent

What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the answers
to the exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
sentence/paragraph to be filled into process
Apply what you learned from the lesson.

This is a task which aims to evaluate your level

Assess of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

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 Answer Key

This contains the learner’s reflection. Learners

Reflect are encouraged to think about the lessons
particularly the parts that went well (they have
understood) and the parts that were weak (they
have difficulty) and write about it briefly.
Learners can share their thoughts and feeling
about the lessons.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
3. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
4. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
5. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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5
 Explore

Introduction:
Cancer is considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality
around the world. In fact, the Philippine Health Statistics in 2009 cited cancer as
the third leading cause of death in the country. Despite countless studies and
researches conducted, there has not been a cure found for cancer. In recent times
however, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer is continuously
progressing. Advances in the field of medicine are also giving the world a hope of
being closer to finding the perfect “recipe” to beat cancer.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Define cancer and carcinogen;
2. Differentiate cancer from carcinogen;
3. Describe and discuss different types of cancer and its causes;
4. Advocate ways on how we can avoid cancer.
 Learn
Cancer is surely a word not new to anyone. Probably all of us have heard,
read or watched something about it at least once. Now, let us find out what and
how much you know about it. Write words or phrases below which you think may
be associated with the word cancer.

In the following sections, you will find out whether your answers are right or
not. You will also know how much of the information you have about cancer are
correct as well as the things that you still need to know about this disease.

What is Cancer?
A cancer is a kind of tumor that threatens a person’s life.
A tumor is an abnormal enlargement of some part of the body. It is a mass
of tissue composed of unusual cells that have multiplied more than they should,
that are not a part of the body’s normal design, and that serve no useful purpose.
The medical scientist prefers the Greek term neoplasm (new growth) to the word
tumor. Tumor cells are out of control.
There are two classes of tumors: benign and malignant. In benign tumors
the cells remain isolated from the surrounding tissues and grow within their own
capsule. The word benign implies that the tumor is harmless. Malignant tumors
are composed of cells so far out of control that they grow extensively and invade
surrounding tissues. Malignant tumors are properly called cancers. As it invades
other tissues, it often destroys them, usually interfering with their blood supply.
This destruction of surrounding tissues may cause bleeding and ulceration.
 The worst feature of malignant tumors is that their cells multiply and the
tumor invades the surrounding tissues, small groups of these wild-growing cells
may break away from their parent tumor and be carried either by the bloodstream
or by the lymph to some distant part of the body. The colony of wild cells will there
establish itself and develop a secondary tumor much like the original one. The
scientist speaks of this process of migration as metastasis. The metastatic tumors
may endanger the patient’s life even more than the primary tumor. For this reason,
the earlier a cancer is treated, the greater the prospect of success. If, however,
colonies of cancer cells have already broken away before the parent cancer is
removed, the development of metastatic tumors in other parts of the body makes a
fatal outcome more certain.
Major Kinds of Cancer
As a cancer develops in any body tissue, its cells partake somewhat of the
nature of the normal cells. True, the cancer cells are much distorted and have lost
many of the normal characteristics of the parent tissue. This explains why there
are so many kinds of cancers, for there are many kinds of normal tissue in which a
malignant tumor may develop. Also, there are usually several patterns of abnormal
development possible for every kind of normal tissue. Here we shall mention only
the major kinds.
1. Carcinomas. The carcinomas compose the largest group of cancers. They
are the ones that take origin from the epithelial cells that cover the body’s
surface, line its tubes and cavities, and compose the functioning cells of its
glands.
2. Sarcomas. The sarcomas are the cancers that arise in the body’s supporting
tissues. Here we have the cancers that arise from fibrous tissue, bone, blood
vessels, and muscle tissue.
3. Leukemias. These are the cancers that develop in the tissues which produce
blood cells such as the bone marrow and the lymph nodes.
4. Lymphomas. These cancers develop from lymphoid tissue.
Table1. Major Kinds of cancer
Main Types of Cancer Site of Origin Examples
● Adenocarcinoma
skin or tissues that ● basal cell carcinoma
Carcinoma line or cover internal ● squamous cell
organs carcinoma
● transitional cell
carcinoma
Sarcoma connective or ● bone sarcoma
supportive tissue ● soft tissue sarcoma
 ● acute myeloid
leukemia
● acute lymphoblastic
tissues that make leukemia
Leukemia blood cells like bone ● chronic lymphocytic
marrow leukemia
● hairy cell leukemia
● chronic myeloid
leukemia
Lymphoma and cells of the immune ● lymphoma
myeloma system ● myeloma

Common Locations for Cancer

Every case of cancer is different and requires individual diagnosis and
treatment. Furthermore, cancer occurring in any part of the body has unique
characteristics. These are parts of the body in which cancer commonly occurs:
Bile ducts. The earliest symptom is usually jaundice (yellowish of the whites
of the eyes and of the skin), which results from obstruction to the bile flow.
The surgical treatment of cancer in this location is difficult because there is
no alternate route for the flow of bile and because the cancer is usually quite
well-advanced before symptoms appear.
Bladder. Chemicals taken into body are eventually eliminated through the
urinary system causing irritation in the bladder and thus may lead to
cancer. The earliest significant sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.
Blood. Leukemia, in which the tissues which form blood cells become
involved, is classed as canceer of the blood-forming tissues. In leukemia, the
parent or stem cells lose the ability to mature. The more immature the cells
remain, the more acute the leukemia and the less likely that the treatment
will be effective. The disease may begin with anemia, bleeding tendencies
from the nose, gums, or rectum, infection of the mouth or throat
accompanied by fever, extreme weakness and headache are common.
Bone. Cancer of the bone may originate within the bone itself, in adjacent
tissues, or when a colony of cancer cells is carried by the blood stream from
some other part of the body. This cancer typically causes considerable pain
and weakening of the bone structure so that it fractures easily.
Breast. Women are becoming aware of the possible tragic outcome of a
“lump in the breast”. Not all lumps in the breast are cancerous. When the
lump is benign, the doctor will remove a small amount of the breast tissue. If
it is malignant, the surgeon may need to remove the entire breast and
possibly some of the tissues in the chest wall and in the armpit. In an older
woman, past the menopause, any discharge from the nipple, especially if
bloody in nature, is a serious omen and should be reported promptly to the
physician. It may be the first indication of a beginning cancer. Cancer of the
breast tends to spread early in the course of the disease to distant parts of
the body. Early detection is important.
Cervix of the Uterus. The cervix is the outlet of the uterus. It is situated so
that it protrudes into the deepest part of the vagina. Cancer of the cervix,
along with cancer of other parts of the female reproductive organs, occurs
more often in women who have taken diethylstilbestrol (DES). Also, this type
of cancer occurs sometimes in young women still in their teen whose
mothers have received the hormone. The Papanicolaou test (“Pap” smear)
has made early detection of cervical cancer relatively simple. However, the
availability of the “Pap” test does not make cancer of the cervix any less
deadly once it invades the surrounding tissues.
Colon and rectum. Cancer in this terminal part of the intestine seldom
occurs in persons younger than 40. Small growths (polyps) which protrude
from the lining of the colon are considered to be harbingers of cancer.
Esophagus. The combined use of cigarettes and alcohol predispose to
cancer of the esophagus. It causes increased difficulty in swallowing.
Gallbladder. Gallstones in the gallbladder seem to be associated with most
of the cancers of the organ. Symptoms include “indigestion” with pain,
tenderness in the region (under the lowest ribs in the upper right of the
abdomen) and jaundice. This cancer tends to spread early to the adjacent
tissues and the liver.
Kidney. The malignant kidney tumor that occurs in infancy
(nephroblastoma, often called Wilms’ tumor) typically develops before three
years of age. The first sign is usually the discovery of a firm, painless mass
in one side of the abdomen. Seldom is there blood in the urine, but when it
does occur, it has unfavorable import. The adult type of cancer of the kidney
usually occurs between ages of 45 and 60. The significant warning is the
appearance of blood in the urine. Cancer often spreads to other parts of the
body such as lungs and long bones of the skeleton. The primary method of
treatment is surgical removal of the kidney.
Larynx. Cancer of the larynx (voice box) occurs more commonly in smokers
than nonsmokers. Evidence of the damage done to the larynx is suggested
by the rather typical rough quality or hoarseness of the smoker’s voice. More
commonly the entire larynx has to be removed.
Lip. A sore on the lip which refuses to heal should always arose suspicion.
Cancer of the lower lip usually occurs where there has been prolonged
irritation, as in pipe smoking.
Liver. Cancer may spread to the liver from the stomach, colon, gallbladder,
or more distant parts of the body. Frequently there is jaundice and the
accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The liver itself is usually
tender to pressure, feels nodular on examination, and grows steadily in size.
Lung. Cough is often the first sign of lung cancer. Without treatment, the
survival rate for most lung cancers is zero, for two reasons. First, this cancer
is highly malignant, very prone to spread. Second, it causes no distinctive
early symptoms. By the time lung cancer is diagnosed, it has usually passed
the stage of probable cure.
Lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are often involved secondarily, as cancers
tend to spread from their original locations to other parts of the body.
 Mole (pigmented mole). A nevus (plural “nevi”) is a pigmented growth
appearing on the skin, on a moist membrane, or in relation to the eye. Nevi
do not appear until late childhood or adolescence. Fortunately, malignant
melanomas are not common, but precaution should always be taken when a
change occurs in any mole.
Mouth. In response to long continued irritation, hard milk-white, dry
patches may appear on the membranes of the mouth, or on the tongue or
inside lips or cheeks. These patches are called leukoplakia (“white plaque” or
“smoker’s patch”) and are premalignant lesions, capable of transformation
into cancer.
Ovary. It is difficult to diagnose this cancer in its early stages because
symptoms are indefinite.
Pancreas. Cancer of the pancreas is a malignant disease in which the early
symptom may be only abdominal pain. As the tumor progress, there may be
obstruction to the flow of bile with resulting jaundice.
Prostate. Cancer of the prostate becomes progressively more frequent after
age 55. It can usually be detected in the early stages, before the symptoms
develop, by routine physical examination in which the physician palpates
the prostate through the rectum.
Skin. The most commonly offensive irritant to the skin, and thus a factor in
skin cancer is exposure to sunlight. The warning signs include sudden
increase in size, a thickening of the skin, inflammation, and ulceration
without healing.
Stomach. Early symptoms are loss of appetite, indigestion, and discomfort
in the stomach region. These may be followed by vomiting of “coffee-ground”
material and loss of weight and strength.
Thyroid. Enlargement of the thyroid gland, just below and on either side of
the larynx (Adam’s apple), or the development of nodules in the gland has to
be examined by a pathologist to determine whether there is cancer or not. If
cancer, the surgeon will have to remove the whole gland and the patient will
probably take a hormone medication for the rest of his life.

What Causes Cancer?

Fifty years ago the answer usually given was quite simple. It was assumed
that in most cases cancer resulted from a hereditary fault. Instances were cited in
which cancer developed in members of a certain family, appearing in some
generation after another. Also, close relatives seemed vulnerable to the same kind
of cancer.
Now we understand something about what happens in cells when they are
transformed into cancer cells. As mentioned earlier, there is a fault in the control
mechanism. But the question remains, exactly what happens when cells lose their
normal mechanisms of control? Obviously, it has to do with the chromosomes and
genes. But was this change in the control mechanism passed from parent to child,
or did something happen during the present individual’s life span that damaged the
control mechanism within certain of his cells? Can it be that heredity influences
some cancer cases, and environment others? Are both factors sometimes
responsible?
In few instances the cause is almost purely hereditary. Probably, for the
most part, these are the cases in which cancer occurs during early childhood. But
in an estimated 80 percent of cancer cases some environmental factor triggers the
changes that cause normal cells to become cancer cells. This factor is called
carcinogen, a cancer-causing agent. A carcinogen is an agent with the capacity to
cause cancer in humans. Carcinogens may be natural, such as aflatoxin, which is
produced by a fungus and sometimes found on stored grains, or manmade, such
as asbestos or tobacco smoke. Carcinogens work by interacting with a cell's DNA
and inducing genetic mutations. The emphasis should be on identifying these
carcinogens so that these can be avoided.

Some common cancer-causing agents:

1. Physical agents. Excessive exposure to sunlight can produce solar
keratosis, an intermediate stage between normal skin and skin cancer.
Dark-skinned persons are less susceptible because the pigment in their skin
screens the skin tissues from the effect of UV radiations. Too much exposure
to ionizing radiations such as X ray greatly increases the risk of cancer.
Smoking, particularly pipe smoking, is an aggravating factor in cancer of the
lip, tongue, and lining of the mouth. Scars resulting from corrosive damage
to the skin may develop cancer.
2. Chemical agents. Many industrial chemicals predispose to cancer.
Arsenic preparations, even when taken internally, cause skin cancer
in humans. There is evidence that the use of synthetic hormones,
such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), in women patients increases the
likelihood of cancer of the vagina and cervix. Even teen-age daughters
of women who received this hormone during the first three months of
their pregnancy are more likely than usual to develop cancer of the
same genital organs. Users of alcohol have a higher cancer rate than
do nondrinkers. Drinkers do have greater cancer susceptibility in
tissues that come in contact with alcohol: mouth, pharynx, larynx,
esophagus, and stomach. The tars in cigarette smoke increases the
susceptibility of the lung tissues to cancer. The smoke irritates the
mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and the delicate air sacs of
the lungs. Many of these carcinogens require extended time to bring
out malignant changes in normal cells. Thus actual cancer cells
resulting from exposure to industrial chemicals may appear years
after contact with the responsible chemical. The varied damaging
effects of tobacco often appear more than 20 years after the individual
began to smoke.
 What’s More

A. Classify the following statements as to Cancer or Carcinogen. Write

Cancer or Carcinogen for your answers.
1. Leukemia develops in the tissues which produce blood cells.
2. Lymphoma develops from lymphoid tissue.
3. Aflatoxin is produced by a fungus and sometimes found on stored
grains.
4. Asbestos is a man-made cancer causing agent.
5. A kind of tumor that threatens a person’s life.
6. It works by interacting with a cell's DNA and inducing genetic
mutations.
B. From the given pictures below, identify the possible cancer that may
develop in the person and list down its possible causes or carcinogen.

Picture Possible Cancer Activity that Carcinogen

causes Cancer
 B. Find the following words in the puzzle by searching across, down and
diagonally. Define each word.

carcinoma cancer
malignant benign
sarcoma leukemia
lymphoma
A L Y M P H O M A A S
M C C A R C I N O A B
O A B L O L E S H I A
N N G I N E B D E M S
I C S G I O G O O E N
C E T N L C H C A K M
R R R A D B R L W U O
A D W N P A B U R E L
C P O T S C Y F O L T
 Apply
MYTH BUSTER. Below are some misconceptions about cancer. Explain
why each item is a myth.
1. You won’t get cancer if no one in your family has had it.
2. Cancer is contagious.
3. The reason why there is no known cure for cancer is because
of conspiracy between drug companies and medical
establishment to gain more money.

LET’S DO IT. Choose one from the given activities below.

1. Create a 3-minute video to raise awareness about cancer. In
the video, you may include basic information about the
disease or ways on how to battle it.
2. Using a long bond paper, make a sample brochure to
promote Cancer Awareness in your community.
3. Make an acrostic poem on the word CANCER. The poem
should include the things that you learned about the
disease.

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. It is a kind of tumor that threatens one’s life.
a. Benign c. Wart
b. Mole d. Cancer
2. Which is not true about cancer?
a. Cancer cells are out of control.
b. Cancer cells are do not spread.
c. Cancer cells invade surrounding tissues.
d. Cancer cells interfere blood supply.
3. The doctor said that the cancer cells in the body of the patient has already
undergo metastasis. What does that mean?
a. The colony of cancer cells establish itself in other parts of the body
and develop a secondary tumor much like the original one.
 b. The colony of cancer cells was successfully removed.
c. The colony of cancer cells will be easily treated through therapy.
d. All of the above.
4. This is a cancer that develops in the tissues which produce blood cells.
a. Lymphoma c. Leukemia
b. Sarcoma d. Carcinoma
5. What causes cancer?
a. Synthetic hormones c. Preservatives
b. UV Radiations d. Carcinogens
6. How do carcinogens work in the body?
a. Carcinogens work by producing cancer cells in the body.
b. Carcinogens work by making lumps in the body.
c. Carcinogens work by interacting with a cell’s DNA and inducing
genetic mutations.
d. None of the above.
7. Liza appears to be yellowish in her eyes and skin. What primary symptom of
cancer does she have?
a. Anemia c. Lesions
b. Jaundice d. Lump
8. A woman feels slight pain and discomfort even after her menstrual period.
The doctor advises her to take the Papanicolaou test. Papanicolaou test is
commonly known as __________.
a. Breast examination c. X-ray
b. Urine test d. Pap smear

9. The combined use of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks predispose to cancer of

the ____________________.
a. Esophagus c. Stomach
b. Mouth d. Lungs
10. Which of the following is a warning signal for cancer?
a. A sore that does not heal.
b. Nagging cough or hoarseness.
c. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.
d. All of the above.
Answer Key
 Reflect
As this module ends, how much of those information is helpful?
Which part is the most interesting? Did any of the sections change
your perception about cancer? Share how the information in the
different sections of this module helps you.
References
Modern Medical Guide Revised Edition, Harold Shrycock, et. al., Philippine Publishing House, pp.
309 – 328
National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Carcinogen
https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/medicine/diseases/pathology/cancer/c
auses-of-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/cancer/cancer-causes.ht
ml
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-starts/types-of-ca
ncer