MODULE 3: CONSUMER
CHEMISTRY
Quarter 4 –
Cancer and
Carcinogens
WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
1. define cancer cell 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. enumerate the tools for finding or diagnosing cancer
cells; and
4. discuss the difference between cancer cells and
carcinogens.
WHAT I KNOW
Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the
correct answer.
1. Who is the expert in treating cancer?
a. cancer survivor c. oncologist
b. influencer d. orthodontist
2. Which of the following sentences is TRUE about cancer?
a. All types of tumor are cancerous.
b. Cancer can spread to other tissues and organs near the benign tumor.
c. Carcinoma originates in the skin or tissue within organs and glands
that
protect the surface.
d. People older than 55 years of age are less likely to develop cancer
compared to other age groups
WHAT I KNOW
3. Which of the following sentences is TRUE about tumor?
a. All tumors are cancerous.
b. Tumors that are benign are not cancerous.
c. Malignant and benign tumors are not cancerous.
d. Malignant tumor is life threatening similarly with benign tumor.
4. What is the similarity between breast cancer and lung cancer?
a. Both breast and lung cancers are carcinoma.
b. Both breast and lung cancers affect the same organ.
c. Both breast and lung cancers are diagnosed using x-ray and
ultrasound.
d. Both breast and lung cancers can be surgically removed without
harming
the body.
WHAT I KNOW
5. 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 active.
d. Sun exposure activities such as mountain climbing and surfing.
6. What is a chemical or physical agent that has the potential to
cause cancer?
a. Carcinogens c. carcinoma
b. cocarcinogens d. sarcoma
WHAT I KNOW
7. Which classification of carcinogens do potato fries and fried
chicken belong?
a. Group 1 c. Group 2B
b. Group 2A d. Group 3
8. What are the chemicals that do not cause cancer unless they are
changed
and metabolized?
a. direct acting carcinogens c. cocarcinogens
b. indirect acting carcinogens d. procarcinogens
WHAT I KNOW
9. What is the tool used to diagnose cancer cells in the entire colon
of a
patient?
a. biopsy c. sigmoidoscopy
b. colonoscopy d. ultrasound
10.Which of these types of radiation do not cause cancer?
a. gamma rays c. radon
b. visible light d. x-rays
LESSON 1:
Cancer
and
Carcinogens
CANCER
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.
CANCER
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
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.
CANCER
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.
CANCER
In cells, damage to DNA can lead to cancer. Cells can also repair
DNA damage, however. The cells can die if the damage is
severe. Unrepaired damage to 6 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
CANCER
CANCER
CANCER
It has reported more than 200 forms of
cancer. Many 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
The most important factor are:
• Age: Although people of all ages can get cancer, older people
are at greater risk.
• Genetics: The history of the family will put you at risk for
cancer. You could be more at risk for that form of cancer if you
or anyone in the family had a similar type of cancer. For certain
cancers, such as breast cancer and colon cancer, genetics plays
a major part.
• Behaviors: Tobacco use and exposure to the sun or other
sources of UV radiation are risk factors for cancer. Other
lifestyle choices that might affect the chances of getting cancer
include a poor diet, lack of exercise, or heavy drinking.
The most important factor are:
• Viruses or bacteria: There is a virus or bacteria that
trigger certain cancers. The human papillomavirus (HPV),
which causes cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C viruses,
which can cause liver cancer, and the EpsteinBarr virus,
which can cause a form of lymphoma, are several cancer
associated viruses. Likewise, the Helicobacter pylori can
cause gastric cancer.
• Exposure to chemicals: As we have discussed, being
exposed to chemicals may also be a risk factor.
The most important factor are:
• Radiation of certain wavelengths, called ionizing radiation,
has enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer.
Ionizing radiation includes:
radon, x-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of high-energy
radiation.
Lower-energy, non-ionizing forms of radiation, such as:
visible light and the energy from cell phones, have not been
found to cause cancer in people.
UV rays can also damage the DNA in our skin cells and lead to
skin cancer.
CARCINOGENS
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.
CARCINOGENS
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
Cancer (IARC) Standard classification of
carcinogens
Cancer (IARC) Standard classification of
carcinogens
Cancer (IARC) Standard classification of
carcinogens
The human body, including those that may contribute to cancer, has
defenses to protect against all kinds of harmful exposures. It also goes
through a phase when something enters the body, which helps the
body to use or get rid of it more quickly. This process is called
metabolism. Depending on how a chemical is processed, or
metabolized, in the body, three types of carcinogens exist:
• Chemicals that can cause cancer (direct acting carcinogens),
• Chemicals that do not cause cancer unless they are changed when
they are metabolized (procarcinogens), and
• Chemicals that do not cause cancer by themselves but can act with
another chemical to cause cancer (cocarcinogens).
Tools for finding or diagnosing cancer include:
• Biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from the body in order
to examine it more closely. A doctor should recommend a
biopsy when an initial test suggests an area of tissue in the
body isn't normal;
• Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce
pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help
diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the
body's internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant
women and the brain and hips in infants. It's also used to
help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess
damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is safe, non-
Tools for finding or diagnosing cancer include:
• X-ray (radiograph) is a non-invasive medical test that helps
physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with
x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of
ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical
imaging;
• Mammography is specialized medical imaging that uses a
low-dose xray system to see inside the breasts. A
mammography exam, called a mammogram, aids in the early
detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women;
• Pap smear also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for
cervical cancer in women;
Tools for finding or diagnosing cancer include:
• HPV DNA tests, which look for DNA from cancer-
causing HPV types in cervical cells;
• Fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), which check for blood
in the stool; sigmoidoscopy, which examines the lower
colon; and colonoscopy, which examines the entire
colon;
• Computed tomography (CT)—the use of x-rays to
produce a crosssectional picture of body parts; and
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—the use of
magnetic fields and radio waves to show changes in soft
The most important factor are:
• Ultrasound, X-ray, CT, and MRI are all painless and
non-invasive; however, having too many CTs or x-
rays can increase the risk of developing cancer
because they expose you to radiation. In most
cases the benefits outweigh the risks. Some people
choose to do selfexams, such as feeling around
their breasts or testicles for new lumps or looking
over their skin. Talk to your doctor if you notice
anything unusual
