Unit11:Cancer

 Reading 1: WHO - Facts about cancer. 

 Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells, which can invade and spread to distant sites of the body. Cancer can have severe health consequences, and is a leading cause of death. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, uterine cervix, and stomach cancer are the most common among women. More than 30% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors, especially tobacco use. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment, including pain relief and palliative care, help increase cancer survival rates and reduce suffering. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, tailored to tumour stage, type and available resources. Comprehensive cancer control plans are needed to improve cancer prevention and care, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. - 8.2 million people die each year from cancer, an estimated 13% of all deaths worldwide. - 70% the increase in new cases of cancer expected over the next 2 decades. - More than 100 cancer types exist, each requiring unique diagnosis and treatment. About the Cancer Control Programme The key mission of WHO Cancer Control Programme is to promote national cancer control policies plans and programmes, integrated to noncommunicable diseases and other related problems. Our core functions are to set norms and standards, promote surveillance, encourage evidence based prevention, early detection, treatment and palliative tailored to the different socioeconomic settings. What is cancer? Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. This process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer. 

 Reading 2: Cancer Research UK - World’s largest independent cancer research and awareness & fund raising charity body 

 Our organisation A number of bodies work together to ensure that we make the best use of the funds we receive and continue to carry out world-class research. Our Trustees The Council of trustees sets the Charity’s strategic direction, monitors the delivery of the Charity’s objectives, uphold its values and governance and advises the Chief Executive. Chief Executive and Executive Board Our Chief Executive and Executive Board work together to ensure that the charity continues to carry out world class research. Annual review 2015 Our Annual Review 2014/15 is packed with highlights of our work across the UK and the inspiring stories of people who have benefited from it. Our Members Cancer Research UK’s constitution provides for the appointment of 100 Members of the charity which are similar to shareholders of a company. Our strategy to beat cancer sooner Our vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Our new strategy will give us the foundations we need to tackle the challenges ahead. Our Scientific Executive Board The role of the Scientific Executive Board is to develop and implement Cancer Research UK's scientific strategy. 

 Reading 3: Cancer Research UK - from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 

 Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer research charity it conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Research activities are carried out in institutes, universities and hospitals across the UK, both by the charity's own employees and by its grant-funded researchers. It also provides information about cancer and runs campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the disease and influencing public policy. Cancer Research UK's work is almost entirely funded by the public. It raises money through donations, legacies, community fundraising, events, retail and corporate partnerships. Over 40,000 people are regular volunteers. On 18 July 2012 it was announced that Cancer Research UK was to receive its largest ever single donation of £10 million from an anonymous donor. The money will go towards the £100 million funding needed for the Francis Crick Institute in London, the largest biomedical research building in Europe.

 Reading 4: Can cancer be prevented? - A lifestyle does change it.

  Can cancer be prevented? Many people believe that getting cancer is purely down to genes, fate or bad luck. But through scientific research, we know that our risk actually depends on a combination of our genes, our environment and aspects of our lives, many of which we can control. Cancer is caused by damage to our DNA, the chemical instructions that tell our cells what to do. Things in our environment, such as UV rays, or our lifestyle, such as the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco, can damage our DNA. This damage builds up over time. If a cell develops too much damage to its DNA it can start to multiply out of control – this is how cancer starts. Find out more about what cancer is and how it grows. Family history and inherited genes Some people inherit damaged DNA from their parents, which can give them a higher risk of certain cancers. For example the BRCA genes are linked with breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancers. But the proportion of cancers caused by inherited faulty genes is small. Read more about inherited genes and cancer. How many cancers could be prevented? In the UK, more than 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Every year, more than 331,000 people are diagnosed with the disease. But experts estimate that more than 4 in 10 cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes, such as: - not smoking - keeping a healthy bodyweight - cutting back on alcohol - eating a healthy, balanced diet - keeping active - avoiding certain infections (such as HPV) - enjoying the sun safely - occupation (avoiding cancer risks in the workplace) Surveys of the population have shown that people aren’t necessarily aware that all of these things are linked to cancer. For example, the Cancer Research UK funded Perceptions of Risk Survey in 2008 found that only 3% of the people polled knew that being overweight or obese could increase their risk of cancer.

 Reading 5: Can cancer be prevented? - A lifestyle does change it. Need some inspiration? Jeff, Mark, Maria and Emilie have all made changes towards a healthier lifestyle. Watch them explain what inspired them to make a change, how they did it and the way they feel about their lifestyles now Find Jeff, Maria, Emilie and Mark's full stories on our smoking, alcohol and obesity pages. Making lifestyle changes can be difficult, but there are so many benefits. Try to find tricks that make it easier to get into healthy habits, such as being active with a friend, keeping track of what you eat or drink, or letting your friends and family know about what you're doing. You can read our tips and advice for making healthier choices in different areas of your lifestyle in this section. And there are lots of other sources of information and support, such as the Change 4 Life website (link is external) or your GP or pharmacist. Is prevention a guarantee? Preventing cancer doesn’t work in the same way as preventing infectious diseases with vaccines. ‘Healthy living’ is not a cast-iron guarantee against cancer. But it stacks the odds in your favour, by reducing the risk of developing the disease. For example, we know that it’s possible for a heavy smoker to live a cancer-free life, while someone who never touches cigarettes could develop lung cancer. But lots of large long-term studies clearly show that people who have never smoked are far less likely to develop or die from cancer than smokers. In the same way, careful drivers cannot guarantee that they will never get into an accident due to events beyond their control, but they are much less likely to do so than reckless ones. Can lifestyle changes really make a difference? Yes, and not just for cancer. In 2008, a large UK study worked out how a combination of four healthy behaviours would affect your health. These were: not smoking; keeping active; moderating how much alcohol you drink; and eating five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. People who ticked all four healthy boxes gained an average of 14 years of life compared to people who did not do any of them. By the end of the study, they were less likely to have died from any cause.