You are on page 1of 21

9

CONSUMER CHEMISTRY
QUARTER 4 - Chemistry and Medicine
Weeks 5 & 6 Module 4
Cancer, Carcinogens,
and
Anti-cancer Drugs

i
Consumer Chemistry – Grade 9 Special Science Class Elective Subject
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 4: Cancer, Carcinogens, and Anti-cancer Drugs
Second Edition, 2021

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in
any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the
government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for
exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things,
impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education
Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer / Compiler: MA. ANTONIETA V. GALINATO, Teacher III, Ramon Duterte MNHS

Content and Language Editors:


ENGR. ZENAIDA C. GRAPA, PhD., MT II – Talamban NHS
MRS. OFELIA N. BARRIENTOS, MT I – Don Vicente Rama MNHS

Management Team:

Chairperson: DR. RHEA MAR A. ANGTUD, Schools Division Superintendent

Members:
DR. BERNADETTE A. SUSVILLA, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent
MRS. GRECIA F. BATALUNA, CID Chief
DR. RAYLENE S. MANAWATAO, EPS - Science
MRS. VANESSA L. HARAYO, MBA, EPS - LRMDS
Printed in the Philippines by DepEd Cebu City
Department of Education – Region VII

Office Address: New Imus Road, Barangay Day-as, Cebu City


Telephone No.: (032) 253 2559
E-mail Address: cebu.city@deped.gov.ph

ii
What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written to help you learn about cancer,
carcinogens, and anti-cancer drugs. The scope of this module permits it to be used
in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define cancer and identify the types of cancer cell based on the location of the
organ or tissue of origin;
2. classify the types of carcinogens according to its level of carcinogenicity;
3. determine how cancers can be treated;
4. describe the anticancer drug and its properties; and
5. explain the effects and side effects of anticancer drugs.

What I Know

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Write the letter of your chosen answer on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. What tool is used to diagnosed cancer cells in the entire colon of a patient?
A. biopsy B. colonoscopy C. ultrasound D. x-ray
2. What classification of carcinogens do potato fries and fried chicken belong?
A. Group 1 B. Group 2A C. Group 2B D. Group 3
3. What chemical /physical agent has the potential to cause cancer?
A. carcinogen B. carcinoma C. cocarcinogen D. sarcoma
4. Who is expert in treating cancer?
A. influencer B. oncologist C. neurologist D. orthodontist
5. Which of the following sentences is true about cancer?
A. All types of tumors are cancerous.
B. Cancer can spread close to the tumor to other tissues and organs.
C. A person who is above 55 years old is less likely to develop cancer.
D. Carcinoma originates in the skin or tissues within organs and glands that
protect the surface.
6. Which lifestyle can lessen the chance of getting cancer?
A. poor eating and sleeping habits
B. occasional smoking and drinking alcohol
C. maintaining a healthy body, weight and staying alive
D. excessive sun exposure activities like mountain climbing and surfing.
7. Which of the following sentences is true about cancer?
A. All tumors are cancerous.
B. Benign tumors are not cancerous.
C. Malignant tumors are not cancerous.
D. Malignant tumor is not life threatening.

1
8. What is the similarity between breast cancer and lung cancer? Both breast and
lung cancer ________.
A. are carcinomas
B. affect the same organ
C. are diagnosed using x-ray and ultrasound
D. can be surgically removed without harming the body
9. How does cancer differ from carcinogens? Cancer is ________.
A. a cell while carcinogen is a form of treatment for cancer.
B. a disease while carcinogens are only chemicals that causes
cancer
C. the rapid replication of cells while carcinogens are tumors with
radiation.
D. the result of abnormalities during DNA replication while
carcinogens cause cancer
10. Which of the following types of radiation does not cause cancer?
A. gamma rays B. radon C. visible lights D. x-rays
11. What is chemotherapy? It is ________.
A. a radiation treatment to divide cancer cells.
B. a treatment for cancer using surgical process.
C. the destruction of cancer cells through radiation therapy.
D. a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells
in your body.
12. Which is the first approved chemotherapy drug in 1962?
A. Daunorubicin C. Fluorouracil
B. Doxorubicin D. Paclitaxel

13. Which of the following can be used as anticancer drug but could weaken the
heart of a patient?
A. Bleomycin C. Doxorubicin
B. Daunorubicin D. Methotrexate
14.Which of the following is the spreading of cancer close to the tumor to other
tissues and organs?
A. chemotherapy B. metastasis C. mitosis D. rapid replication
15. It is the month of recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness and celebrated under
the slogan, Giving Hope.
A. February B. October C. November D. December

2
What’s In
Activity 1
Read Me!
Directions: Read the label below and answer the guide questions .

1. What is the name of the Pharmacy?


2. How many tablets are there in the box?
3. How many tablets should be taken each time?
4. How often should the medicine be taken?
5. Can the medicine be taken on an empty stomach?

What’s New

Pink Ribbon represents the awareness for breast cancer.

October is the month of recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness and celebrated


under the slogan 'Giving Hope. Lives Save.’ Men and women locally are encouraged
to display support for survivors of breast cancer and those fighting the disease by
wearing pink ribbons or clothes. As stated by Dr. Felycette Gay Lapus, President of
the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, breast cancer has the lowest survival rate
among 15 Asian countries, exceeding lung cancer as the most prevalent type of
cancer in the Philippines.
Direction: Answer the following questions:
1. What do pink ribbons mean during the month of October?
2. What do you think is the purpose of recognizing October as Breast Cancer
Awareness Month?
Sunlight supports better sleep and sets people’s circadian rhythms by
regulating the levels of serotonin and melatonin. Being in the sun generally makes
people feel good, and there are many scientific reasons for this effect. One of these is
that exposure to UVB rays:
1.causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, hormones that reduce pain.
2.promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood boosting the
immune system
3.relieving pain
4.promoting relaxation

3
5.helping wounds heal
6.helping people feel more alert
7. increasing job satisfaction Trusted Source, when a person’s workplace has
access to sunlight
8.reducing depression

What Is It

The root of the word cancer is traced back to the Greek doctor Hippocrates
(460-370 BC), who is considered the "Father of Medicine." To identify non-ulcer-
forming and ulcer-forming tumors, Hippocrates used the words carcinos and
carcinoma. In Greek, these phrases refer to a crab, most likely related to the disease
because the cancer's finger-like projections brought the shape of a crab to mind.
Celsus (28-50 BC), the Roman physician, later turned the Greek term into cancer,
the Latin word for crab. The word oncos (Greek for swelling) was used to describe
tumors by Galen (130-200 AD), another Greek physician. Although the crab
comparison of Hippocrates and Celsus is still used to identify malignant tumors, the
word of Galen is often used as part of the name of oncologists for cancer specialists.
Cancer is a family of over 100 distinct diseases. Almost anywhere in the body, it
can develop. Cancer starts when this orderly process is messed with by genetic
changes also known as genetic mutation. When it expands rapidly and
uncontrollably, a cell becomes cancerous. This process contributes to the
development of tumors in most cancers. An irregular growth of tissue resulting from
uncontrolled growth of cells is a tumor.
Tumors are either malignant or benign. Tumors that are benign are not
cancerous. There is no spread of cancerous cells from benign tumors to other areas
of the body. Normally, benign tumors are not life-threatening. Malignant Tumors are
cancerous. Cancer can spread close to the tumor to other tissues and organs. They
can also spread to other sites in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic
system. This spreading is called metastasis.

In cells, damage to DNA can lead to cancer. Figure 1 shows the effects of chemical
injury to a normal cell. However, cells can also repair DNA damage. The cells can die
if the damage is severe. Unrepaired damage to DNA can lead to gene mutations or
changes, and mutations can cause cancer in some genes. You will inherit mutations
as well. Since cancer has a long latency time, it is difficult to establish which
exposure, if any, could have contributed to a mutation. Therefore, we know very little
about specific causes of cancers. Because of early detection and timely and more
successful care, more individuals survive cancer. Some breast, cervical, and
colorectal cancers may be detected early when screening tests are carried out on a
regular basis, when treatment may function best.

4
Figure 1. Effects of Chemical Injury to a Normal Cell.

The table below shows the types of cancer with examples.

Table 1. Types of Cancer and Its Examples

Types of Cancer Examples

prostate cancer
Carcinoma originates in the skin or the
breast cancer
tissue that covers the surface of internal
lung cancer
organs and glands. Carcinomas could form
colorectal cancer (colon or the rectum)
solid tumors.
Sarcoma starts in the tissues that support Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
and connect the body. A sarcoma can (stomach and small intestine)
develop in fat, muscles, nerves, tendons, Osteosarcoma (bones)
joints, blood vessels, lymph vessels,
cartilage, or bone.
Lymphocytic leukemia (lymphocytes)
Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood- Myelogenous (my-uh-LOHJ- uh-nus) leukemia
forming tissues, including the bone marrow and (Myeloid cells give rise to red blood cells, white
the lymphatic system. blood cells and platelet-producing cells)

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic


system, which is part of the body's germ-
fighting network. The lymphatic system Hodgkin's lymphoma
includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), (formerly called Hodgkin's disease)
spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Lymphoma can affect all those areas as well
as other organs throughout the body
Myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer.
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue at the
center of some bones that produces the Solitary Plasmacytoma (plasma cells)
body's blood cells. It is also called multiple Extramedullary Plasmacytoma
myeloma as the cancer often affects several (throat, sinuses, nose and larynx)
areas of the body, such as
the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs.

The risk factors can contribute to the chance of having cancer, such as age,
genetics, or lifestyle choices. Typically, cancer is not caused by just one risk factor,
but by many of them. The more risk factors you have, the greater the risk that you
will get cancer:

1. Age- people of all ages can get cancer, older people are at greater risk.
2. Genetics- The history of the family will put you at risk for cancer.
5
3. Behaviors-lifestyle choices that might affect the chances of getting cancer
include a poor diet, lack of exercise, or heavy drinking.
4.Viruses or bacteria - virus or bacteria trigger certain cancers. The human
papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C
viruses, which can cause liver cancer, and the Epstein- Barr virus, which
can cause a form of lymphoma, are several cancers associated viruses.
Likewise, the Helicobacter pylori can cause gastric cancer.
5.Exposure to chemicals - being exposed to chemicals may also be a risk
factor.
6.Radiation of certain wavelengths, called ionizing radiation, has
enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer.

Carcinogens
In the late 1700s, an early connection between cancer and a chemical was
discovered. An English doctor noted that due to exposure to soot, which contains
chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a significant number of
chimney sweeps had cancer of the scrotum. Many more chemicals have been
recognized as proven or suspected causes of cancer since then.
The known cancer-causing compounds are called carcinogens. It does not mean you
are going to get cancer if you come into touch with a carcinogen. It depends on what
you have been exposed to, how much you have been exposed, and, among other
aspects, how often you have been exposed with. Increasing the risk of developing
particular cancer types is related with certain carcinogenic agents.

Three types of carcinogens:


1. Chemicals that can cause cancer (direct acting carcinogens)
2. Chemicals that do not cause cancer unless they are changed when they are
metabolized (procarcinogens), and
3. Chemicals that do not cause cancer by themselves but can act with another
chemical to cause cancer (cocarcinogens)

Refer to table 2 for better understanding of the classification of


carcinogens.

Table 2. Standard Classification of Carcinogens (International Agency for


Research on Cancer (IARC))

Group What does it mean? What does it include?


128 agents such as smoking,
Group 1 Sufficient evidence of
exposure to solar radiation, alcoholic
Carcinogenic carcinogenicity
beverages and processed meats.

6
Limited evidence of
Group 2A Probably carcinogenicity in humans and
Emission from high temperature –
carcinogenic sufficient evidence of
frying, steroids, exposures working in
carcinogenicity in experimental
hairdressing and red meat.
animals

Limited evidence of
carcinogenicity in humans and
Group 2B Possibly less sufficient evidence of 285 agents such as Coffee, gasolines
carcinogenic carcinogenicity in and gasoline engine exhaust, welding
experimental animals fumes and pickled vegetables

Evidence of
carcinogenicity is inadequate
Group 3 in humans 505 agents such as Tea, Static
Carcinogenicity Not and inadequate or li mited in magnetic fields, fluorescent lighting,
classifiable experimental polyethene
animals

Evidence suggests no Only one (1) chemical ever placed in


Group 4 Probably not carcinogenicity in this group of all substances assessed
carcinogenic experimental humans or : Caprolactam which is used in the
animals manufacture of synthetic fibers.

Anticancer drug, also called antineoplastic drug, any drug that is effective
in the treatment of malignant, or cancerous, disease. There are several major classes
of anticancer drugs; these include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, natural
products, and hormones. In addition, there are a number of drugs that do not fall
within those classes but that demonstrate anticancer activity and thus are used in
the treatment of malignant disease. The term chemotherapy frequently is equated
with the use of anticancer drugs, although it more accurately refers to the use of
chemical compounds to treat disease generally.
One of the first drugs that was used clinically in modern medicine for the
treatment of cancer was the alkylating agent mechlorethamine, a nitrogen mustard
that in the 1940s was found to be effective in treating lymphomas. In 1956 the
antimetabolite methotrexate became the first drug to cure a solid tumor, and the
following year 5-fluorouracil was introduced as the first of a new class of tumor-
fighting compounds known as pyrimidine analogs.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.
Cancer diagnosis

Your doctor may use one or more approaches to diagnose cancer:

• Physical exam. Your doctor may feel areas of your body for lumps that may
indicate cancer. During a physical exam, your doctor may look for
abnormalities, such as changes in skin color or enlargement of an organ, that
may indicate the presence of cancer.

7
• Laboratory tests. Laboratory tests, such as urine and blood tests, may help
your doctor identify abnormalities that can be caused by cancer. For instance,
in people with leukemia, a common blood test called complete blood count
may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cells.
• Imaging tests. Imaging tests allow your doctor to examine your bones and
internal organs in a noninvasive way. Imaging tests used in diagnosing cancer
may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan,
ultrasound and X-ray, among others.
• Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in
the laboratory. There are several ways of collecting a sample. Which biopsy
procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location. In
most situations, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer.

In the laboratory, doctors look at cell samples under the microscope. Normal
cells look uniform, with similar sizes and orderly organization. Cancer cells look less
orderly, with varying sizes and without apparent organization.
Cancer stages
Once cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will work to determine the extent (stage)
of your cancer. Your doctor uses your cancer's stage to determine your treatment
options and your chances for a cure.
Staging tests and procedures may include imaging tests, such as bone scans
or X-rays, to see if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.Cancer stages are
indicated by the numbers 0 through 4, which are often written as Roman numerals
0 through IV. Higher numbers indicate a more-advanced cancer. For some types of
cancer, cancer stage is indicated using letters or words.

Major classes of anticancer drugs


1. Alkylating agents are compounds that work by adding an alkyl group to the
guanine base of the DNA molecule, preventing the strands of the double helix from
linking as they should. This causes breakage of the DNA strands, affecting the ability
of the cancer cell to multiply. Eventually, the cancer cell dies. The primary mode of
action for most alkylating drugs is via cross-linking of DNA strands. They can be
classified as either monofunctional alkylating agents, implying reactions with only
one strand of DNA, or bifunctional alkylating agents, which cross-link two strands
of DNA. Replication of DNA and transcription of RNA are prevented by these cross-
links. All alkylating agents depress bone marrow function and cause gastrointestinal
disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. As bone marrow is responsible for the
production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets when it is weakened
symptoms of anemia, infection and bleeding respectively, may occur. In rare cases,
this can lead to leukemia. The risk of leukemia from alkylating agents is “dose-
dependent,” meaning that the risk is small with lower doses, but goes up as the total
amount of the drug used gets higher. The risk of leukemia after getting alkylating
agents is highest about 5 to 10 years after treatment.
Alkylating agents play a significant role in the treatment of lymphoma, Hodgkin's
disease, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and other malignancies. Anticancer drugs
that contain alkylating agents are cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, melphalan, and
chlorambucil.

8
2. Antimetabolites are called a “cytotoxic” type of drug because they kill cells. They
work by mimicking the molecules that a cell needs to grow. Cells are tricked into
taking in the drugs and then using the antimetabolites instead of their normal
building blocks of genetic material: RNA and DNA. With the drugs on board, the cells
can no longer copy their DNA, so they can’t divide into new cells. Because
antimetabolites target cells only as they are dividing, these medications are most
effective against tumors that are growing quickly. The benefit of taking antimetabolite
drugs to treat cancer is that the drugs kill cancer cells, which can help you live longer
and make your tumor stop growing or shrink. But antimetabolites don’t work for
everyone, and it can be hard for doctors to predict whose tumors will respond to
these drugs. Even when antimetabolites first work well, tumors often become
resistant to this drug, which means they eventually don’t work anymore.
Hypomethylating agents represent a class of drugs that may restore normal gene
function to genes responsible for cell division and differentiation. Hypomethylating
agents may function as biological response modifiers by affecting cytokine cell
signaling. These agents may be identified as antimetabolites and they include 5-
azacytidine and Decitabine. Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer of
the breast, skin, head and neck, or lung. Methotrexate is also used to treat severe
psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Other examples include 5-Fluorouracil and
Cytosine Arabinoside.
3. Anthracyclines or anthracycline antibiotics are a class of drugs used in cancer
chemotherapy derived from Streptomyces bacteria (more specifically, Streptomyces
peucetius var. caesius). These compounds are used to treat a wide range of cancers,
including leukemias, lymphomas, and breast, uterine, ovarian, and lung cancers.
Examples include Bleomycin, Daunorubicin, and Doxorubicin.
Anthracycline has three mechanisms of action:
1. inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by intercalating between base pairs of the
DNA/RNA strand, thus preventing the replication of rapidly-growing cancer cells,
2. inhibits topoisomerase II enzyme, preventing the relaxing of supercoiled DNA and
thus blocking DNA transcription and replication,
3. Creates iron-mediated free oxygen radicals that damage the DNA and cell
membranes.
Common side effects of chemotherapy

• Low blood counts cause an increased possibility of developing infection or


anemia
• Tiredness
• Mouth soreness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Skin changes or reactions
• Pain or nerve changes
• Changes in fertility and sexuality

The good news about these side effects is that there are ways to ease most of
the symptoms. 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 child which may be permanent. Certain options such as

9
sperm banking may be available. Please talk to your doctor or nurse about any
concerns before starting chemotherapy.

SOME COMMON CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS:

● Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is one of the most powerful chemotherapy drugs ever


invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat
a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, the drug can also damage heart cells, so a
patient can't take it indefinitely.

● Cyclophosphamide (Cytotoxan) is a drug that can treat many different cancers.


Like many other chemotherapy drugs, it scrambles the DNA of cancer cells. Because
it damages healthy DNA too, it can also cause long-term injury to the bone marrow,
which, in a few rare cases, can lead to a new case of leukemia (cancer of certain white
blood cells).

● Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an effective drug used for treating some cases of breast cancer
and ovarian cancer, but it can damage nerves over time, leaving some people with
decreased sensation in their hands and feet. The anticancer compound in this drug
was first discovered in the bark of Pacific yew trees.

● Fluorouracil (Adrucil) was first approved as a chemotherapy drug in 1962 and is


one of the oldest chemotherapy drugs still prescribed today. It's primarily used to
treat gastrointestinal cancers (including colon, rectal, stomach) and certain types of
breast cancer.

● Gemcitabine (Gemzar) is a relatively new chemotherapy drug that is effective at


slowing the growth of several types of cancer. Used alone, it's a first-line treatment
for pancreatic cancer that has spread or is inoperable. It's also used in combination
to treat certain types of breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.

What’s More
Activity 2
Let's Find Out
I. Directions: Select five (5) parts of the body that can be the origin of the
cancer. Identify the type of cancer that can be developed in
that part.

10
Activity 3
Effects of chemotherapy
II.Directions: Show the effects and side effects of chemotherapy. The arrow going
up represents the benefits of anticancer drugs during treatment process while the
arrow going down represents the side effects during cancer treatment. Draw arrows
similar to what are shown below and write the corresponding answers inside the
arrows. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

A. Alkylating agents

B. Antimetabolite

C. Anthracyclines

What I have Learned

Complete each statement in the paragraph below by


choosing appropriate word/s from the box. Write your answers
on your answer sheet.

11
carcinoma biopsy
colonoscopy sarcoma
mammogram cancer of bone marrow
probably carcinogenic possibly carcinogenic
abnormal cells divide rapidly
international agency for research on cancer

Cancer is an umbrella term for a large group of diseases caused


when 1._____, and spread to other tissue and organs. Cancers are named
for the area in which they begin and the type of cell they are made of, even
if they spread to other parts of the body. 2._____is a cancer that starts
in the skin or the tissues that line other organs.3._____is a cancer of
connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.
Leukemia is a 4._____, which creates blood cells. Lymphoma and
myeloma are cancers of the immune system.
Carcinogens a r e a n y o f a n u m b e r o f agents that can cause cancer
in humans. The 5._____have dev ised a system of categories to evaluate
the carcinogenicity of an agent to humans. The details of the classifications
are as follows: Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans, Group 2A: 6.___to
humans. Group 2B: 7. to humans, Group 3: Not classifiable as to
its carcinogenicity to humans, and Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to
humans.
There are several methods of diagnosing cancer. With advances in
technologies that understand cancers better, there is a rise in the number
of diagnostic tools that can help detect cancers. 8._____is a sample of
tissue taken from the body in order to examine it test whether
abnormalities in your b o d y are caused by cancer or by other
c o n d i t i o n s . 9._____ispecialized medical imaging that uses a low-dose
x-ray system to see inside the breasts 10._____ is an exam used to
detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

What I Can Do

From the list below, explain how each find and diagnoses cancer.
1. Biopsy
2. Imaging Tests
3. Laboratory Tests

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT IN CONSUMER CHEMISTRY


QUARTER 4- MODULE 4

NAME: ___________________GR.& SEC: ____________________ DATE: ______________

12
Skill Focus: Explaining the effects and side effects of anticancer drugs to cancer
patients.

Chemotherapy drugs have side effects, and some have even more
serious effects. It is important to keep track of any side-effects while treating
cancer. This worksheet will help a cancer patient to monitor and observe the
side effects of his medications. Choose 1 of the 4 options to accomplish this
worksheet.

Options:
1. Through a vlog or blog, using any online social media platform, search for
a cancer survivor who has shared his battles against his illness via his
blogs.
2. By an interview with a patient in the community, look for a relative or an
acquaintance that has undergone chemotherapy.
3. Through an interview with the relative / caregiver of a patient who has
undergone chemotherapy.
4. By an interview with medical personnel in the rural health unit of the
barangay.
Instructions:
1. For Offline/Online students, make a 3-minute video of the interview.
For Printed students make a script of the interview.
2.Use two A4 size bondpaper for your written outputs.
3. For Online/Offline Digital and Printed Modular Learners, submit
outputs as instructed by the subject teacher.
4. Refer to the rubric as your guide.
5. Observe Safe Health Protocols.

Category 10 8 6 4
Setting Up Student’s self- Student’s self- Student’s Only student’s
the interview introduction and introduction self- self-
statement of and statement introduction introduction is
purpose are very of purpose are and done.
clear. clear. statement of
purpose are
less
emphasized.

13
Politeness Student always Student Student Student rarely
uses polite usually uses sometimes uses polite
words in the polite words in uses polite words in the
interview. the interview. words in the interview.
interview.
The student The student The student The student
listens carefully listens carefully sometimes rarely asks
to the person to the person asks a follow- any follow-up
being being up question questions
interviewed and
Follow-up interviewed and often asks
based on based on what
Questions usually asks relevant follow- what s/he the person
relevant follow- up questions thought the said.
up questions based on what person said.
based on what the person said.
the person said.
Rubric

Name of cancer survivor/ patient (optional): __________________________________


Type of Cancer: __________________________________________
Chemotherapy Side Effects Worksheet

Date / / / / / /
Day of Chemotherapy Cycle Day Day Day

14
Fever/Chills: Max Temp: Max Temp: Max Temp:
Write down your highest °C °C °C
temperature for the day. None None None
Temperature Mild Mild Mild
None – 37°C Moderate Moderate Moderate
Mild Fever – 37.1°C to 38°C Severe Severe Severe
Moderate Fever – 38.1°C to 40°C
Severe Fever – greater than
40.1°C
Write any medicines taken for this
here —>
Fatigue (Feeling Weak):
None ◻ None ◻ None ◻ None
Mild – Able to do normal activities ◻ Mild ◻ Mild ◻ Mild
with some effort Moderate – In bed ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate
less than half of the day ◻ Severe ◻ Severe ◻ Severe
Severe – In bed more than half the
day*
Nausea:
None ◻ None ◻ None ◻ None
Mild – Can eat ◻ Mild ◻ Mild ◻ Mild
Moderate – Eating/drinking less ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate
than normal Severe – Can’t eat or ◻ Severe ◻ Severe ◻ Severe
drink*
Write any medicines taken for this
here —>
Vomiting:
None ◻ None ◻ None ◻ None
Mild – Vomited once during the day ◻ Mild ◻ Mild ◻ Mild
Moderate – Vomited 2 to 5 times ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate
during the day* Severe – Vomited 6 ◻ Severe ◻ Severe ◻ Severe
or more times during the day*
Write any medicines taken for this
here —>
Sore Mouth:
None ◻ None ◻ None ◻ None
Mild – Soreness or painless ulcer ◻ Mild ◻ Mild ◻ Mild
Moderate – Soreness or painful ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate ◻ Moderate
ulcer but can eat* Severe – Painful ◻ Severe ◻ Severe ◻ Severe
ulcer and cannot eat*

Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Write the letter of your chosen answer on a separate


15
sheet of paper.
1. What is chemotherapy? It is ________.
A. a radiation treatment to divide cancer cells.
B. a treatment for cancer using surgical process.
C. the destruction of cancer cells through radiation therapy.
D. a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells
in your body.
2. Which is the first approved chemotherapy drug in 1962?
A. Daunorubicin C. Fluorouracil
B. Doxorubicin D. Paclitaxel

3. Which of the following can be used as anticancer drug but could weaken the
heart of a patient?
A. Bleomycin C. Doxorubicin
B. Daunorubicin D. Methotrexate
4.Which of the following is the spreading of cancer close to the tumor to other
tissues and organs?
A. chemotherapy B. metastasis C. mitosis D. rapid replication
5. It is the month of recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness and celebrated under
the slogan, Giving Hope.
A. February B. October C. November D. December
6. Which lifestyle can lessen the chance of getting cancer?
A. poor eating and sleeping habits
B. occasional smoking and drinking alcohol
C. maintaining a healthy body, weight and staying alive
D. sun exposure activities like mountain climbing and surfing
7. Which of the following sentences is not true about cancer?
A. all tumors are cancerous
B. Tumors that are benign are cancerous
C. Malignant and benign tumors are not cancerous
D. Malignant tumor is life threatening similarly with benign with benign
Tumor
8. What is the similarity between breast cancer and lung cancer? Both breast and
lung cancer
A. are carcinoma
B. affect the same organ
C. are diagnosed using x-ray and ultrasound
D.can be surgically removed without harming the body

9. How does cancer differ from carcinogens? Cancer is _________.


A. a cell while carcinogens is a form of treatment for cancer.
B. a disease while carcinogens are only chemicals that causes cancer
C. the rapid replication of cells while carcinogens are tumors with radiation.
D. the result of abnormalities during DNA replication while Carcinogen
cause cancer.
10. Which of the following types of radiation does not cause cancer?
16
A. gamma rays B. radon C. visible lights D. x-rays
11. What tool is used to diagnosed cancer cells in the entire colon of a patient?
A. biopsy B. colonoscopy C. ultrasound D. x-ray
12. What classification of carcinogens do potato fries and fried chicken belong?
A. Group 1 B. Group 2A C. Group 2B D. Group 3
13. What chemical /physical agent has the potential to cause cancer?
A. carcinogen B. carcinoma C. cocarcinogen D. sarcoma
14. Who is expert in treating cancer?
A. influencer B. oncologist C. neurologist D. orthodontist
15. Which of the following sentences is true about cancer?
A. All types of tumors are cancerous.
B. A person who is above 55 years old is less likely to develop cancer.
C. Cancer can spread to other tissues and organs near the benign tumors.
D. Carcinoma originates in the skin or tissues within organs and glands that
protect the surface.

References:
https://www.britannica.com/science/anticancer-drug
https://uihc.org/health-topics/side-effects-anti-cancer-drugs
Alarkhon. 2020. Cancer.net. Cancer in My Community: The Role of Cancer
Screening in Guatemala. November 2020
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/what-cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs on the
identification of carcinogenic hazards to humans , accessed January 4, 2021,
https://monographs.iarc.fr/agents-classified-by-the-iarc/
https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/001/197/432/non_2x/
breast-cancer-pink-ribbon-png.png

17
18
Lesson 1 Lesson 2
What's In What's New What's In
1.Lloyd's Pharmacy Answers may vary 1. F
2. 60 tablets 2. F
3. 1 tablet What's More 3. T
4. once a day Answers may vary 4. F
5. no 5. T
6. no 6. T
7. inside the fridge
8. after breakfast What's More
9. keep out of the reach of children Answers may vary
10. Morning What I have Learned
1. Carcinoma
2. Sarcoma
3. abnormal cells divide rapidly
4. cancer of bone marrow
5. International Agency for Research on Cancer
6. Probably carcinogenic
7. Possibly carcinogenic
8. biopsy
9. mammogram
10. colonoscopy
What' More
A. ↑ Drugs that prevent replication of cancer cell
↓infection and bleeding of bone marrow, leukemia
B. ↑Drugs that stop the cell division of the cancer cell by
mimicking a molecule of DNA and RNA
↓ patients could develop resistance
C. ↑ Drugs that prevent replication of the
cancer cell by inserting a base pair to
DNA and RNA
↓ weakend heart cell
Answer Key
19

You might also like