Cancer, Carcinogens and

Anti-Cancer Drugs
CANCER
•Cancer is the name given to a
collection of related diseases. In all
types of cancer, some of the body’s
cells begin to divide without stopping
and spread into surrounding tissues.
CANCER
• When cancer develops, however, this orderly
process breaks down. As cells become more
and more abnormal, old or damaged cells
survive when they should die, and new cells
form when they are not needed. These extra
cells can divide without stopping and may
form growths called tumors.
CAUSES (Genes)
• 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.
CAUSES (Genes)
• 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.
CAUSES (Genes)
• 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.
CAUSES (Genes)
• DNA repair genes are involved in fixing
damaged DNA. Cells with mutations in these
genes tend to develop additional mutations in
other genes. Together, these mutations may
cause the cells to become cancerous.
CAUSES
• CARCINOGEN
A carcinogen is any substance that has the potential to cause
cancer in living tissues. Carcinogen exposure can occur from
the inhalation, ingestion, or absorption of many different types
of substances into our bodies. Carcinogens act on our DNA,
causing dangerous changes at the cellular level. These include a
change in the rate of cell division, which increases the
probability of abnormal DNA synthesis. This can lead to
cancer, a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with
the potential to metastasize or spread to other parts of the
body.
CAUSES (CARCINOGEN)
• Carcinogens do not cause cancer in every case, all
the time. Substances labeled as carcinogens may
have different levels of cancer-causing potential.
Some may cause cancer only after prolonged, high
levels of exposure. And for any particular person,
the risk of developing cancer depends on many
factors, including how they are exposed to a
carcinogen, the length and intensity of the
exposure, and the person's genetic makeup.
CAUSES (CARCINOGEN)
• Examples are:
•Tobacco
•Pesticides
•Asbestos (Heat resistant mineral)
•Radon (Radioactive Noble Gas)
•Arsenic (An element in metals/sulfur)
TYPES
CARCINOMA
• Carcinomas are the most common type of
cancer. They are formed by epithelial cells,
which are the cells that cover the inside and
outside surfaces of the body. There are many
types of epithelial cells, which often have a
column-like shape when viewed under a
microscope.
TYPES
SARCOMA
• Sarcomas are cancers that form in bone
and soft tissues, including muscle, fat,
blood vessels, lymph vessels, and fibrous
tissue (such as tendons and ligaments).
TYPES
LEUKEMIA
• Cancers that begin in the blood-forming tissue of the
bone marrow are called leukemias. These cancers do not
form solid tumors. Instead, large numbers of abnormal
white blood cells (leukemia cells and leukemic blast
cells) build up in the blood and bone marrow, crowding
out normal blood cells. The low level of normal blood
cells can make it harder for the body to get oxygen to its
tissues, control bleeding, or fight infections.
TYPES
LYMPHOMA
• Lymphoma is cancer that begins in
lymphocytes (T cells or B cells). These are
disease-fighting white blood cells that are part
of the immune system. In lymphoma,
abnormal lymphocytes build up in lymph
nodes and lymph vessels, as well as in other
organs of the body.
TYPES
MULTIPLE MYELOMA
• Multiple myeloma is cancer that begins in
plasma cells, another type of immune cell. The
abnormal plasma cells, called myeloma cells,
build up in the bone marrow and form tumors
in bones all through the body. Multiple
myeloma is also called plasma cell myeloma
and Kahler disease.
TYPES
MELANOMA
• Melanoma is cancer that begins in cells that
become melanocytes, which are specialized
cells that make melanin (the pigment that
gives skin its color). Most melanomas form on
the skin, but melanomas can also form in
other pigmented tissues, such as the eye.
TREATMENT
Surgery can be used to take out the cancer. The
doctor might also take out some or all of the body
part the cancer affects. For breast cancer, part (or
all) of the breast might be removed. For prostate
cancer, the prostate gland might be taken out.
Surgery is not used for all types of cancer. For
example, blood cancers like leukemia are best
treated with drugs.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill
cancer cells or slow their growth. Some
chemo can be given by IV (into a vein
through a needle), and others are a pill you
swallow. Because chemo drugs travel to
nearly all parts of the body, they are useful
for cancer that has spread.
TREATMENT
Radiation is also used to kill or slow the
growth of cancer cells. It can be used
alone or with surgery or chemo.
Radiation treatment is like getting an
x-ray. Sometimes it’s given by putting a
“seed” inside the cancer to give off the
radiation.
TREATMENT (ANTICANCER DRUG)
Anticancer drugs are used to control the
growth of cancerous cells. Cancer is
commonly defined as the uncontrolled
growth of cells, with loss of differentiation
and commonly, with metastasis, spread of
the cancer to other tissues and organs.
Cancers are malignant growths.
SIDE EFFECTS (ANTICANCER DRUG)
•Low blood counts causes an increased
possibility of developing infection or
anemia
•Tiredness
•Mouth soreness
•Nausea, vomiting
•Loss of appetite
SIDE EFFECTS (ANTICANCER DRUG)
•Constipation or diarrhea
•Hair loss
•Skin changes or reactions
•Pain or nerve changes
•Changes in fertility and sexuality