WHAT IS CANCER?

Decoding cancer MED-SURG

TUTOR || September 15, 2022
Transcribers: Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name
Editors: Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name, Last Name

Outline Explanation:
The risk of dying from breast cancer is not
Legend:
Remember Previous
increasing in the United States. This graphic
Lecturer Book
(Exams) Trans shows that in 1980, 31.7 women and 0.3 men
    per 100,000 people died per year. In 2010, the
number of women who died per 100,000 people
Heading 1 was 21.9. The total decreased from 18.0 to 12.2.
 Heading 2
• The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
 The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Question 2:
▪ The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
 Cancer can be spread from person to person.
• The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Subheading
FALSE.
Decoding Cancer Cancer cannot be
 Steve and Nikki are fraternal twins in high passed from one person
school. They recently learned that their to another. Though cancer
mother has been diagnosed with cancer. itself isn’t contagious, sometimes viruses, which
They have no idea what this really means for are contagious, can lead to the development of
their mom and for them. cancer.
WHAT IS CANCER? Explanation:
 Mom has a doctor’s appointment so she can’t The following is further explanation of viruses
make my game. Dad said he would leave that can lead to cancer: Two common cancers
work early to make the game. I’m glad he’s caused by viruses are cervical cancer and liver
coming but I wish mom could make it and I cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually
wonder if we should just stay home. transmitted disease, can cause cervical cancer.
I still don’t know what cancer really is and And hepatitis C, a virus transmitted through
Nikki and I don’t want to bug mom and dad. sexual intercourse or use of infected intravenous
Can someone just tell me what exactly is (IV) needles, can cause liver cancer, though only
cancer? a small number of those with the virus will
develop liver cancer.
Question 1:
 The risk of dying from cancer in the United Question 3:
States is increasing.  What someone does as a young adult has
FALSE. little effect on their chance of getting cancer
The risk of dying from cancer in the United States later in life.
has decreased from 1975 to 2012.
FALSE.
 US Mortality Files, National Center for Health Most cases of cancer are the consequence of
Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and many years of exposure to several risk factors.
Prevention. Rates are per 100,000 and are
age-adjusted to the 2000 US Std Population Explanation:
(19 age groups - Census P25-1130). Source: What you eat, whether you are physically active,
National Cancer Institute. SEER Statistics whether you are sunburned, and especially
Review 1975-2006. whether you smoke as a young person have a
substantial influence on whether you develop
cancer later in life.

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[SUB] 1.01 TITLE OF LECTURE – Dr. Professor

Question 4:  Other types of oncologist are: gynecologic,

 There is currently a cure for cancer but the pediatric and hematologic oncologist
medical industry won’t tell the public about it
because they make too much money treating The role of the oncologist
cancer patients.  An oncologist oversees a patient’s care from
the cancer diagnosis throughout the course of
FALSE. the disease. The oncologist’s role includes
Plenty of doctors and their loved the following:
ones die of cancer each year. Why would  Explaining the cancer diagnosis and stage to
anyone hide such an important discovery? the patient
Think about the speed with which other medical  Discussing all relevant treatment options and
breakthroughs in vaccines and antibiotics have the oncologist’s recommendations
been announced and applied.  Delivering high-quality, compassionate care
 Helping the patient manage cancer-related
Explanation: pain and other symptoms or treatment side
Remember, cancer is many diseases rather than effects
a single disease, and cures are already available
for many forms of cancer. Fewer than half of all Cancer Research
people with cancer in the U.S. actually die of the  Cancer research is
disease. basic research into cancer to identify causes
and develop strategies for prevention,
Question 5: diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
 Treating cancer with surgery can cause it to  Cancer research ranges from epidemiology,
spread throughout the body. molecular bioscience to the performance of
clinical trials to evaluate and compare
FALSE. applications of the various cancer treatments.
Specialists in cancer surgery know how to safely
take biopsy samples and to remove tumors Oncology Nurse
without causing the cancer to spread. In many  An Oncology Nurse provides care for cancer
cases, surgery is an essential part of the cancer patients and those at risk for getting the
treatment plan. disease. They monitor physical conditions,
prescribe medication, and administer
Question 6: chemotherapy and other treatments.
 Cancer can be effectively treated.  Oncology nurses often serve as your first line
of communication, and help coordinate the
TRUE. many aspects of your care
The five major types of treatment for cancer are throughout cancer treatment. ... Safely
surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic administer medications, fluids
therapies, and therapies that boost the patient’s and cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy)

 Effective cancer treatments can include Oncology Pharmacist

several types of Cancer Warriors. What do  Oncology pharmacists are actively engaged
each of the following professionals do to fight in all aspects of cancer care—from
cancer? chemotherapy dose preparation and safety
checks, to educating patients about side
Oncology Physician effects, to drug development research.
 An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer.
Usually, an oncologist manages a person’s Oncology Social Worker
care and treatment once he or she is  Oncology social workers provide information
diagnosed with cancer. on resources, medical and insurance
 The field of oncology has three major areas: coverage, and how to talk to your family and
medical, surgical, and radiation. the children in your lives about cancer.
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[SUB] 1.01 TITLE OF LECTURE – Dr. Professor

 They are patient and family advocates. need them, and old cells do not die when they
 They provide assistance in coping with the should.
diagnosis to patients and families all along
the disease continuum, teach relaxation Instructor Notes
techniques to reduce anxiety, lead psycho-
educational support groups, help individuals Question 9:
transition to survivorship, and conduct  Cancer can only occur in specific cells in the
research about all of the above! body.
 They also provide support to our colleagues FALSE.
around burnout and compassion fatigue to The body is made up of many types of cells, and
help them manage the stressors and loss all cancer begins in cells. Cancer can develop in
associated with working in oncology. any cell in the body, which is why there are so
many different types.
Question 7:
 Cancer is a group of over 100 diseases. Question 10:
TRUE.  Cancer develops because of abnormal gene
The main categories of cancer include: function.
Carcinoma TRUE.
Sarcoma Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by
Leukemia changes in genes that normally control the
Lymphoma and myeloma growth and death of cells. Certain lifestyle and
Central nervous system cancers environmental factors can change some normal
genes into genes that allow the growth of cancer.
Explanation:
Main categories of cancer: Explanation:
• Carcinoma: cancer that begins in the skin or Many gene changes that lead to cancer are the
in tissues that line or cover internal organs result of tobacco use, poor diet, exposure to
• Sarcoma: cancer that begins in bone, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, or
cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing
connective or supportive tissue substances) in the workplace or in the
• Leukemia: cancer that starts in blood- environment. Some gene alterations are
forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, inherited (from one or both parents).
and causes large numbers of abnormal However, having an inherited gene alteration
blood cells to be produced and enter the does not always mean that the person will
blood develop cancer; it only means that their chance
• Lymphoma and myeloma: cancers that of getting cancer is increased.
begin in the cells of the immune system
• Central nervous system cancers: cancers Learning about cancer
that begin in the tissues of the brain and  Nikki has a lot of questions and Steve is not
spinal cord sure how to help answer them. What would
you want to know if you were in their shoes?
Question 8:
 Cancer cells can be distinguished from What’s happening inside?
normal cells because of their abnormal  I remember learning about the phases of the
growth. cell cycle, but don’t understand the deal with
TRUE. cancer. I wonder what mom
Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more went through before now!
cells as they are needed to keep the body  I really want to help but I just
healthy. Sometimes, this orderly process goes keep wondering about what’s
wrong. New cells form when the body does not going to happen.
Also, will I get cancer, too?

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[SUB] 1.01 TITLE OF LECTURE – Dr. Professor

How do healthy and cancerous cells differ?  Endoplasmic Reticulum

Transports intracellular materials.

Phases of Cell Cycle

Gap 0 (G0): Resting
Stage
Gap 1 (G1): Growth
Synthesis (S): DNA
Replication
Gap 2 (G2): Growth
Mitosis (M): Nuclear
Division and
Cytokinesis

Review cell cycle and regulation.

 Gap 0 (G0) Phase is the resting stage, when
a cell leaves the cell cycle, either temporarily
or permanently. Often, they will never reenter
the cell but instead will carry out their function
Discussion. in the organism until they die.
Differences between normal and cancerous cells,  GAP 1 (G2) Phase includes growth and prep
including: of chromosomes for replication.
 Normal cells have a large cytoplasm;  Synthesis (S) Phase is where DNA replication
cancerous cells have a small cytoplasm occurs.
 Normal cells have a single nucleus;  GAP 2 (G2) Phase includes preparation for
cancerous cells have multiple nuclei mitosis.
 Normal cells have a nucleolus; cancerous  Mitosis (M) Phase is where nuclear and
cells have multiple and large nucleoli cytoplasmic division occur. Mitosis is further
 Normal cells have fine chromatin; cancerous divided into 4 phases (prophase, metaphase,
cells have coarse chromatin anaphase, telophase)

 Nucleus Refer to video 1 – Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Control center of the cell. Contains all genetic
information. Cell Cycle Quality Control
 Mitochondria  The cell has several systems for interrupting
Powerhouse of the cell. the cell cycle if something goes wrong.
Converts sugar to usable energy by cellular  Checkpoints in G1 and G2 look for DNA
respiration. damage and try to repair it.
 Ribosomes  Damage that is so severe that it cannot be
Site of protein synthesis. repaired will lead a cell to self-destruct by
 Golgi Apparatus apoptosis.
Packaging center of the cell. Packages and  Mitosis checkpoint detects failure of spindle
secretes proteins. fibers to attach to kinetochores and will arrest
 Centrioles cell in metaphase until corrected.
Organizes microtubules (spindle fibers) for  A genetically directed process of cell self-
mitosis. destruction
 Chromosomes  All checkpoints require the function of a
Made of condensed DNA and proteins. complex of proteins. Mutations in the genes
Codes for genetic traits. encoding some of these proteins have been
associated with cancer.

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[SUB] 1.01 TITLE OF LECTURE – Dr. Professor

 Checkpoint failures due to gene mutations Real-World Comparison

allow the cell to continue dividing despite  Tumor suppressor genes are like the brakes
damage to its integrity. of a car.
 When the brakes lose function, the car moves
Refer to video 2 (Cell Cycle Checkpoints) out of control.
 Similarly, when tumor suppressor genes lose
CANCER GROWTH CELL CYCLE QUALITY function, the cells grow out of control.
CONTROL

When a proto-oncogene is mutated (now called

oncogene), there is gain of function resulting in a
cell cycle checkpoint failure and uncontrolled
division of abnormal cells.

Discussions….
 everyone has tumor suppressor genes and
proto-oncogenes. Normally, both works fine
and cells do not grow out of control.
 that However, mutations in either or both of
these types of genes change their function,
Discussion which may lead to cancer.
 there are two types of mutation that can lead  the cells in Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutation
to uncontrolled cell division and cancer: and Proto-Oncogene Mutation would go
Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations and through apoptosis; however, cancer cells
Proto-oncogene Mutations. avoid apoptosis and keep growing and
dividing, resulting in a tumor.
Refer to Video 3 (Animated Introduction to  Proto-oncogenes are a dominant gene
Cancer Biology) mutation so only one allele needs to be
mutated to cause cancer.
Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations
 When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated,  Proto-oncogenes are like the gas pedal of a
there is loss of function resulting in cell cycle car.
checkpoint failure and uncontrolled division of  If the gas pedal gets stuck in the “on”
abnormal cells. position, a car keeps moving whether the
pedal is pushed or not.
Discussion….  Similarly, when a proto-oncogene mutates
 everyone has tumor suppressor genes and into an oncogene, a cell will keep dividing
proto-oncogenes. Normally, both work fine even when there are no messages to divide
and cells do not grow out of control. Gene function is activated
 However, mutations in either or both of these
types of genes change their function, which  Instructor Notes
may lead to cancer.  Explain to students that most cancers
 the cells in Tumor Suppressor Gene have both loss of brakes and the gas
Mutation and Proto-Oncogene Mutation pedal on. Note that this is the same
would go through apoptosis; however, graphic students saw on Slide 17 – the
cancer cells avoid apoptosis and keep repetition of this graphic is meant for
growing and dividing, resulting in a tumor. reinforcement of the concept.
This is a recessive mutation so both alleles
in the gene need to be mutated to cause the
cancer.

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[SUB] 1.01 TITLE OF LECTURE – Dr. Professor

Mitotic Division Role Play

 Normal Cell Division

The cell proceeds with normal cell division. At
least one error is detected at one or more cell
cycle checkpoints. Once the errors are
repaired and checkpoints are cleared, the cell
divides normally.
 Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutation
Tumor suppressor gene loses function.
cells will continue to divide.
 Proto-oncogene Mutation
Proto-oncogene mutates into an oncogene.
The cells will continue to divide.

 Instructor Notes
 Tell students they are going to
demonstrate their understanding of the
relationship between the cell cycle and the
development of cancer by acting out the
cell cycles of healthy and cancerous cells.
Remind students that everyone has tumor
suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes.
Normally, both genes work fine and cells
do not grow out of control. However,
mutations in either or both of these types
of genes change their function, which may
lead to cancer. There are three different
scenarios: Normal Cell Division, Tumor
Suppressor Gene Mutation, and Proto-
Oncogene Mutation.

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