 Skin changes or reactions Republic of the Philippines

 Pain or nerve changes Department of Education

 Changes in fertility and sexuality REGION III-CENTRAL LUZON
Note that each chemotherapy agent or regimen has some side effects that are specific to it. SCHOOLS DIVISION OF TARLAC PROVINCE
Also, the actual side effects may vary a great deal from patient to patient. MALACAMPA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-STE

Lasting effects of chemotherapy DIRECTIONS: Read and analyze the following concepts. Answer the activities on a
The good news about these side effects is that there are ways to ease most of the symptoms. separate sheet of paper.
Sometimes, however, certain side effects can have long lasting or permanent effects. For
example, certain chemotherapy drugs can result in infertility or the inability to father a CONSUMER CHEMISTRY QUARTER 4 WEEK 3-4
child which may be permanent. Certain options such as sperm banking may be available. CANCERS, CARCINOGEN AND ANTICANCER DRUGS
Please talk to your doctor or nurse about any concerns before starting chemotherapy.
THE DEFINITION OF CANCER

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and
spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of
trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell
division) to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become
damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

HOW DOES CANCER DEVELOP

Cancer is a genetic disease—that is, it is caused by changes to genes that control

the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.

Genetic changes that cause cancer can happen because:

 of errors that occur as cells divide. 

 of damage to DNA caused by harmful substances in the environment, such as the
chemicals in tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays from the sun. (Our Cancer Causes
and Prevention section has more information.) 
 they were inherited from our parents. 

The body normally eliminates cells with damaged DNA before they turn
cancerous. But the body’s ability to do so goes down as we age. This is part of the reason
why there is a higher risk of cancer later in life.

Types of Genes that Cause Cancer
The genetic changes that contribute to cancer tend to affect three main types of genes—
proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes. These changes are
sometimes called “drivers” of cancer.
Proto-oncogenes are involved in normal cell growth and division. However, when these
genes are altered in certain ways or are more active than normal, they may become cancer-
causing genes (or oncogenes), allowing cells to grow and survive when they should not.
Tumor suppressor genes are also involved in controlling cell growth and division. Cells
with certain alterations in tumor suppressor genes may divide in an uncontrolled manner.
DNA repair genes are involved in fixing damaged DNA. Cells with mutations in these
genes tend to develop additional mutations in other genes and changes in their
chromosomes, such as duplications and deletions of chromosome parts. Together, these
mutations may cause the cells to become cancerous.
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.
Types of carcinogens include:
 Chemicals/substances: Certain chemicals used the home or workplace may be
carcinogenic. For example, asbestos in insulation can lead to lung
cancer and mesothelioma. Many people have a sense that if a chemical could
cause cancer it would not be allowed in our homes.
 Environmental radiation: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a well-known
cause of skin cancer. Radon emitted from the normal decay of uranium in the soil
and then trapped in homes is the second leading cause of lung cancer.3
 Medical radiation: Both radiation used medically for diagnostic tests and that
used to treat cancer are considered carcinogens. For example, women who receive
radiation therapy after a mastectomy for breast cancer are at an increased risk of
developing lung cancer due to the carcinogenicity of radiation.
 Viruses: Viruses such as human papillomaviruses which cause oral cancer and
cervical cancer, and hepatitis C, which can cause liver cancer are considered
carcinogens. Check out the other viruses which are thought to cause cancer.
 Some medications: Some chemotherapy drugs and hormonal therapy can raise
the risk of cancer. For example, some of the chemotherapy drugs (such as
Cytoxan) used to treat women with early stage breast cancer may sometimes lead
to leukemia. Oral contraceptive use may increase the risk of breast cancer in
young women.
 Lifestyle factors: Smoking and obesity are both carcinogens in that they can be
responsible for the mutations which result in cancer.
 Pollution: Both outdoor and indoor air may contain pollutants that are
carcinogenic.
Anticancer drugs — Benefical effects
Anticancer or chemotherapy drugs are chemicals that can denature cancer cells by arresting
their growth. Though anticancer drugs affect dividing cancer cells, normal cells are also
affected in the course of the event. The most affected cells are:
 bone marrow,
 gonads (sex organs),
 gastrointestinal tract, and
 skin (hair follicle cells).

 Chemotherapy can cure cancer because it kills cells. It kills cancer cells and it
can kill normal cells. Killing normal cells can cause some unpleasant side effects. The side
effects vary from one drug to another for many reasons. Not all chemo drugs cause hair
loss, for example.

Common side effects of chemotherapy:

 Low blood counts causes an increased possibility of developing infection or
anemia
 Tiredness
 Mouth soreness
 Nausea, vomiting
 Loss of appetite
 Constipation or diarrhea
 Hair loss