
Cancer Notes
Cancer Notes
Causes of Cancer:
Things you can control:
Diet/Obesity
Sun Exposure
Exposure to chemicals
Lifestyle choices
Alcohol and tobacco usage
Things you cannot control:
Genetics/Family History
Age
Gender
Hormones
Certain Illness/infections
Preventions:
Healthy diet
Be active
Avoid excessive sun exposure
Self exams (Monthly)
Doctor visits
Checkups
Vaccines
HPV
Hep B
Common Cancer Treatments:
Surgery
Removes areas affected with cancer
Radiation
Specific areas targeted with radiation to destroy cancer cells
Side effects: Varies and could damage surrounding areas
Chemotherapy
Medications used to kill cancer cells
Targets whole body (metastasized cells)
Side effects: nausea/vomiting, Fatigue, Hair Loss
Immunotherapy
Stimulate the body’s immune system to attack the cancer cells
Currently in clinical trials
Breast Cancer Treatment:
Lumpectomy- Early Stage: Removal of small tumor/lump
Mastectomy: Single/Double, complete removal, may or may not include surrounding lymph nodes (stage 3 or 4)
Radiation & Chemotherapy
Estrogen Blocking Drugs: hopefully reduces recurrence
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer:
Age
Family History
HPV (Vaccine to prevent) & Herpes Type 2 exposure
In Most Cases, symptoms of cervical cancer are rare
The ABCDE’s of checking Melanoma:
A: Asymmetry
B: Border
C: Color
D: Diameter
E: Evolving
Skin Cancer Risk Factors:
Light complexion, family history, moles/freckles, suppressed immune system, history of bad sunburns
Cancer Notes
Causes of Cancer:
Things you can control:
Diet/Obesity
Sun Exposure
Exposure to chemicals
Lifestyle choices
Alcohol and tobacco usage
Things you cannot control:
Genetics/Family History
Age
Gender
Hormones
Certain Illness/infections
Preventions:
Healthy diet
Be active
Avoid excessive sun exposure
Self exams (Monthly)
Doctor visits
Checkups
Vaccines
HPV
Hep B
Common Cancer Treatments:
Surgery
Removes areas affected with cancer
Radiation
Specific areas targeted with radiation to destroy cancer cells
Side effects: Varies and could damage surrounding areas
Chemotherapy
Medications used to kill cancer cells
Targets whole body (metastasized cells)
Side effects: nausea/vomiting, Fatigue, Hair Loss
Immunotherapy
Stimulate the body’s immune system to attack the cancer cells
Currently in clinical trials
Breast Cancer Treatment:
Lumpectomy- Early Stage: Removal of small tumor/lump
Mastectomy: Single/Double, complete removal, may or may not include surrounding lymph nodes (stage 3 or 4)
Radiation & Chemotherapy
Estrogen Blocking Drugs: hopefully reduces recurrence
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer:
Age
Family History
HPV (Vaccine to prevent) & Herpes Type 2 exposure
In Most Cases, symptoms of cervical cancer are rare
The ABCDE’s of checking Melanoma:
A: Asymmetry
B: Border
C: Color
D: Diameter
E: Evolving
Skin Cancer Risk Factors:
Light complexion, family history, moles/freckles, suppressed immune system, history of bad sunburns