Cancer is obviously one of the most prolific and deadly diseases affecting our s

Question

Cancer is obviously one of the most prolific and deadly diseases affecting our society. One of the most misleading statements you can see in a newspaper or hear on TV, is that researchers are searching for a cure for cancer. Why is it misleading? Because cancer is not a single disease, each type of cancer (breast, prostate, lymphoma, liver etc.) is caused by a different set of genetic mutations. Finding a cure or a treatment for one type of cancer many times is not relevant to other types of cancer. What really should be said is that finding a cure for cancer requires finding individual cures for many different diseases.

Complicating the search for the cures is that there are several different risk factors that can contribute to the development of cancer. Genetics is one aspect, environmental factors is another, as well as diet and exercise. Many people would like to think of the cure for cancer along the lines of a vaccine, take a pill or a shot and you will be cured. The chances of that scenario coming true are very slim.

Another perspective on the search for the cure for cancer can be found in the book The Secret History on the War on Cancer by Derva Davis. A review of this book can be found on the web site: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/is-there-a-secret-history-of-the-war-on-cancer-ask-for-yourself/. Be sure to follow the link at the end of the article (in the Addendum) to read the author’s answers to questions. Davis points out in this book that the process of evaluating risk factors and preventive measures is not always in the best interest of the public.

The goal for this forum is for each student to choose one kind of cancer. Using the internet (the sites in the exploration can be useful or http://www.preventcancer.org/education2c.aspx?id=148) learn what the risk factors are for that type of cancer. What is the incidence for that type in the American population? What is the death rate for people suffering from it? Are there certain ethnic groups that are at greater risk for developing this type of cancer? Have specific genes been identified that increase that are correlated with the development of the specific cancer you are researching? Are there any promising treatments or therapies for this type of cancer? Are there particular preventive measures one could following to decrease the chance of getting this type of cancer? And finally the big question: which is more effective approach to fighting cancer. Understanding the environmental risk factors that cause cancer then attempting to alter our lifestyles to avoid them or research to find a cure once cancer has developed.

Explanation / Answer

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cell that keeps on proliferating and sometimes travels drifted to other site through bloodstream. Every cell undergoes cellular metabolic pathways to generate energy molecules. Generally adenosine triphosphate, ATP molecules are produced by three major pathways namely glycolysis, citric acid cycle and electron transport chain.

The four major causes of cancer are as follows:

Radiations: For example, the non-ionizing ultraviolet radiations are responsible for skin cancer.

Viruses: the viruses that are involved in developing the cancer are called oncovirus. For example, Human papillomavirus causes cervical cancer.

Chemicals: For example, tobacco smoking causes 90% of cancers.

Diet and exercise: Physical inactivity and obesity causes 30-35% of cancer deaths. For example, processed foods or red meat, high salt-diet is linked to gastric cancer.

In U.S, nearly 18 out of 100 individuals are smokers at the age of 18. Most of the people, among the smokers are suffering with different smoking related diseases. The diseases that are caused by smoking are lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, reproductive effects in women, etc. The smoking slows the growth of fetus in case of pregnant women and may also lead to premature birth.

The other causes of lung cancer are asbestos fibers, radon gas, and familial disposition.

The preventive measures of lung cancer are as follows:

Avoid smoking.

Use masks, while working in industries where asbestos fibers and radon gas are released into atmosphere.

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