Running head: ABOUT CANCER

About Cancer

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Introduction

More than 580,350 people are expected to die of cancer in 2013 (National Cancer
Institute, 2013). Furthermore, estimated new cancer cases in 2013 stands at 1,660,290 (National
Cancer Institute, 2013). An average of 1/2 of men and 1/3 of women will develop cancer
(National Cancer Institute, 2013). Cancer can affect any person. As a result, so you can learn
something from this speech by getting informed about cancer, and how it can be prevented.
Cancer is a serious disease that may be preventable and curable. Today, I will inform you on
what cancer is, ways to prevent its growth, and lastly, I will inform you on the different types of
treatment for cancer.
To begin with, we discuss what cancer is.
I. Cancer
Cancer is a condition of uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancerous
cells are equally referred to as malignant cells. If the spread of the cells is not controlled, it may
cause death. Despite the fact that cancer is often termed as a single condition, cancer involves
more than a hundred dissimilar diseases. Cancer can occur in many body sites, and each cancer
behaves differently depending on the organ from where it originated. For example, breast cancer
exhibits different characteristics from lung cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2013). Cancer that
originates from a particular body organ carries its characteristics with it, even when it spreads to
other body parts. For instance, metastatic breast cancer in the lungs continues to exhibit
characteristics similar to breast cancer when viewed using a microscope, and appears like a
cancer that originated in the breast (National Cancer Institute, 2013).
A. Normal cells usually grow and divide to replace old or dead cells in an orderly manner.

ABOUT CANCER

In the early years of an individual`s life, normal cells divide at a faster rate to permit the
person to grow. After becoming an adult, the majority of cells divide only when replacing wornout or dead cells or when repairing injuries (American Cancer Society, 2013). Cells represent the
basic unit of structure and function for all living organisms. As the cells grow and divide, they
organize themselves in a particular fashion to create tissues. Normal functions perform a variety
of functions that include making proteins that the body requires, communicating with other cells
through sending messages and signals, using oxygen to make their own energy, dividing to create
new cells, grow in a controlled manner and position themselves where they belong in the body,
and die out after a particular number of divisions (American Cancer Society, 2013).
B. Cancer cells continuously grow and divide in an unrestrained manner.
They assume new characteristics that permit them to behave in an undesirable fashion.
Unlike in normal cells, cancer cells may lack proteins or the proteins may be present in excessive
amounts. Secondly, messages and signals for communication are either altered or missing
(American Cancer Society, 2013). The cells make their energy using sugar. Given that growth is
not controlled, the cells grow out of control. Furthermore, changes happen that permit the cells to
move to other body parts where they do not belong. Similarly, given that cancer cells do not die
out, they live longer (American Cancer Society, 2013).
1. Cancer cells accumulate in one place.
2. The accumulated cells form tumors. A cancerous cell undergoes several mutations;
each mutation gives the cell a growth advantage over the neighboring cells. As a result, the single
cell divides many times to create a tumor.

ABOUT CANCER

3. Tumors destroy body cells. Cancer cells, particularly, malignant cells have the potential
to push between or through normal cells. As these cells divide and increase in number, malignant
cells occupy and break the local surrounding tissue (Kenny, 2012).
C. There are two types of tumors.
Tumors refer to the growth of tissues made up of abnormal cells.
1. Malignant. These tumors are cancerous are grow relatively quickly. They invade
surrounding organs and tissues causing damage to them. The original location where a tumor
first develops is referred to as a primary tumor. Malignant tumors can also spread to other body
parts to create secondary tumors. These new tumors equally grow, invade and damage
neighboring tissues before spreading again (Kenny, 2012).
2. Benign. These tumors can form in many parts of the body, grow slowly, and do not
invade other body tissues. These tumors are not cancerous in nature and are often not lifethreatening. However, a number of benign tumors may cause health problems. For example,
some may be too large in size causing local pressure symptoms. Others that grow from cells in
benign tumors can produce excessive hormones resulting in unwanted effects (Kenny, 2012).
Now that you are informed on what cancer is, I will now move to may second point, which is
how to prevent or reduce the growth of this disease.
II. Individuals can undertake various measures to reduce their risk of developing cancer
A. Lifestyles can affect the chances of future cancer development
1. Smoking/Drinking (1/3). Cancers that are associated with particular behaviors can be
easily prevented. For instance, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes substantially reduces the risk of
numerous cancer types such as mouth, liver, lung, and throat cancer. Even for current tobacco

ABOUT CANCER

users, quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of getting cancer (American Cancer
Society, 2013a).
2. Be active and maintain healthy weight. According to the American Cancer Society
(2013a), excess body weight has a strong correlation with cancer. Excess body weight accounts
for a fifth of all cancer-related deaths. Although there is limited research evidence indicating that
physical activity and a healthy weight minimizes the risk of cancer, there is growing empirical
evidence indicating that a healthy weight reduces the risk of breast cancer following menopause
and severe forms of prostate cancer. Similarly, body changes that occur because of weight loss
indicate that a healthy weight may indeed minimize the risk of cancer. For instance, overweight
individuals who intentionally opt to lose weight often reduce particular hormones that are
associated with cancer risk like insulin, androgens, and estrogens (American Cancer Society,
2013a).
3. Eat healthy avoid fat foods. Diet rich in fat is one of the largest contributors of cancer.
A high fat diet results in accumulation of bile acids in the colon (WebMD, 2013). Bile acids
enhance the growth of tumors, particularly in along the cell lining of the colon (WebMD, 2013).
Reducing fat intake to between 20% and 35% or less of the total daily calories is a key step in
preventing cancer. Similarly, cholesterol intake should be reduced to 300 mg or less per day
(WebMD, 2013).
Having addressed how cancer can be prevented, we now move to the last point, which deals with
treatment.
III. There are various treatments for cancer
A. Surgery

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1. It is the oldest and the most common form of treatment. It involves removing a visible
cancer tumor through a surgical operation, for example in prostate and breast cancer.
2. Offers greatest chance for cure because it is much more effective, particularly, when a
cancer is small and limited to a particular part of the body (Alschuler and Gazella, 2010)..
3. 60% cancer patients receive surgery/operation. This is particularly because, prostate
cancer and breast cancer account for the largest percentage of cancer infections. For example, in
2013 prostate cancer is estimated to affect 238,590, while breast cancer comes second with
232,340 people affected (National Cancer Institute, 2013).
B. Radiation therapy high energy particles.
This method is used in cases where the tumor is not fit for surgery. In most cases,
radiation is used together with chemotherapy and surgery (Alschuler and Gazella, 2010).
C. Chemotherapy use of drugs
Under this treatment method, drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells. The drugs search
and destroy cancer cells that are hard to detect, which have spread and continue to circulate in
the body. Chemotherapy drugs may be taken orally or intravenously. They may also be used
alone or together with radiation, surgery or both (Alschuler and Gazella, 2010).
Conclusion
In conclusion, cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that evolve into tumors. It is a
dangerous disease that affects millions of people across the globe. Eating fast food, drinking and
smoking all affect the chances of developing cancer. Treatments for cancer include surgery,
radiation, and chemotherapy.

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References

Alschuler, L. and Gazella, K.A. (2010). Definitive Guide to Cancer: An Integrative Approach to
Prevention, Treatment, and Healing, 3rd edition. Celestial Arts.
American Cancer Society (2013). Normal cells in the body. Retrieved on 21 November 2013
from: <http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancerbasics/what-is-cancer>
American Cancer Society (2013a). Does body weight affect cancer risk?. Retrieved on 21
November 2013 from:
<http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/bodyweightandcanc
errisk/body-weight-and-cancer-risk-effects>
Kenny, T.(2012). Cancer. What is Cancer?. Retrieved on 21 November 2013 from: <|
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/what-is-cancer#>
National Cancer Institute (2013). Cancer of All Sites - SEER Stat Fact Sheets. Retrieved on 21
November 2013 from: <http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/all.html>
Webmd (2013). Cancer-Fighting Foods: Diet to Help Prevent Cancer. ? Retrieved on 21
November 2013 from: <http://www.webmd.com/diet/eating-good-health>