Cell Biology and Cancer by National Institutes of Health. - HTML preview

/ Home / Science (Academic) / Cell Biology and Cancer

PLEASE NOTE: This is an HTML preview only and some elements such as links or page numbers may be incorrect.
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.

Paul Ashland

I was born in 1924 in northern Michigan of African American parents. My older sister had lung cancer when she was in her 60s, but she was a smoker, so we weren’t surprised.

0–19 years

20–39 years

We had a normal childhood: My father worked, and

After I finished high school, I got a good job with a

my mother stayed home to watch the kids. We ate

trucking company and started making long-distance

well—my father especially loved steak and baked

hauls with a partner. I was on the road a lot, so I

potatoes for dinner—but I wasn’t overweight because

didn’t really develop any hobbies or outside interests.

I was active in sports. I started chewing a little when

We traveled five days out of seven, and slept and ate

I was 18 (I also started drinking a little— all the guys

on the road. Chewing helped me keep awake on

did it).

long hauls.

40–59 years

60+ years

By the time I was in my mid-40s, I started gaining

I retired when I was 65. Retirement was hard on me:

weight. When I developed headaches, I went to the

I was used to traveling and didn’t really have friends

doctor to see what was wrong. He said I had high

except for other truckers. To ease my loneliness, I

blood pressure, but said I could control it with diet

hung out at the terminal and helped load and unload

if I tried to. I lost some weight on the diet he

the trucks just for the heck of it.

prescribed, and the headaches went away. I’m

usually pretty good about sticking to the diet,

When I was about 69, I noticed soreness in my

though I do like a drink or two after a long day

mouth and saw something that looked like a large

on the road.

canker sore. I figured it would go away. It didn’t.

Then I noticed a lump underneath it. It was pretty

sore, so I decided to see a doctor. She took a biopsy

and found that I had throat cancer. The surgery was

tough, and I don’t look the same. I don’t go out much

now, even to the docks. My mouth is dry and sore all

the time from the radiation. Between that and the

chemotherapy, I really can’t eat much and don’t taste

what I do eat. I continue to lose weight and feel bad

most of the time. I really miss seeing the guys from

the docks.

Paul died at age 71 of cancer. Twelve of his buddies

from the trucking company attended his funeral.

Master 1.1z (page 26 of 30)

Sharon Washington

I was born in 1938 in rural Vermont of Caucasian parents. We lived in an expensive neighborhood (my father worked as a chauffeur for a wealthy businessman), but we were always pretty poor.

0–19 years

20–39 years

I was an excellent student in school. My mother

It took me six years to get through college because

taught me to read when I was very young, and I

I had to work for my tuition, but it was worth it.

read everything I could get my hands on—historical

After I graduated with a degree in library science,

novels, science fiction, poetry. We couldn’t afford

I moved back to New England to be near my folks

to buy many books, but that was okay: There was a

and to work as a reference librarian in a small college

little public library just up the road that I could ride

library. I had a good life; though I never married,

my bike to, and I spent lots of happy hours there,

I stayed active socially and enjoyed gardening,

reading and dreaming of the day I would have my

skiing, hiking, and, of course, reading.

own library.

When I finished high school, I decided I wanted to

become a librarian. With my parents’ encouragement,

I applied to several colleges. When one accepted me

and offered me a job so I could work for my tuition,

I moved away from home, promising my folks that

one day they’d be proud of me.

40–59 years

60+ years

In my early 40s, I had some problems with

Sharon died at age 61 of ovarian cancer. Her will

migraines and depression; the doctor prescribed

directed that her large personal library be donated

an antidepressant. Other than that, I was in good

to the little public library in Vermont where she

health till my late 50s. Just after I turned 58, I started

spent so many happy hours as a child.

feeling some pain in my abdomen. I ignored it until

the bloating got so bad that it was interfering with

my gardening. When I went to the doctor, she sent

me for tests immediately and discovered that I had

ovarian cancer. The oncologist operated, then put

me on chemotherapy but said that we caught it so

late that I had only a 25 percent chance of recovery.

Master 1.1aa (page 27 of 30)

Leon Sanchez

I was born in 1940, the third of four children of Hispanic parents. My parents were fortunate: They were healthy and independent (they owned their own small farm in western Alabama). The only serious illnesses in the family were when my father and then, 20 years later, my older brother were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

0–19 years

20–39 years

We lived a simple, uncomplicated life. We ate well

As an adult, I continued working on my father’s farm

(lots of meat and vegetables) and played and worked

and eventually inherited it from him (my brothers and

hard. My parents believed in education and insisted

sister had moved away). I loved the outdoor life—it

that we all finish school, whether we wanted to or

was hard work, but honest, and it gave me a good

not. I was not an honor student, but I got consistent

feeling to work the land I owned. And it produced

Bs. Math was my best subject and history, my worst.

a good living for my wife and two children. The only

disadvantage of the farm was how far we were away

from the town and a doctor (especially if we needed

one fast).

40–59 years

60+ years

After my children moved away (one to college, the

By the time I was 60 or so, I was beginning to feel my

other to start his own landscaping business in the

age. Finally, I decided it was time to see a doctor for

suburbs of Birmingham), my wife and I became even

a check-up. I wanted to make sure that I was in okay

more isolated, going into town only once a month or

health, and I wanted to ask him why I was starting to

so for supplies. We loved the quiet life on the farm

feel pain when I urinated.

and had few worries.

The doctor checked me over and pronounced me

healthy in all regards except one: Tests revealed

that, like my father and older brother before me,

I had prostate cancer. Because of my generally

good health, they were able to operate, and then

they treated it with radiation. I don’t keep up much

with modern medicine, but whatever they did, it

must have worked, because the pain is gone now

and I feel better than ever.

Master 1.1bb (page 28 of 30)

Marcy Sterling

I was born in Florida in 1942, the older of two girls born to Scandinavian parents. I think my grandmother died of colon cancer, but I don’t think anyone else in my family had cancer.

0–19 years

20–39 years

I had a wonderful childhood. My sister and I loved

After college, I got a job teaching fourth grade in

the beach and adored being outdoors—Florida was

an elementary school in Miami. After my practice

a great place for an active life. We went sailing

teaching, I had decided that I really enjoyed the older

almost every weekend. And we spent many, many

kids more than the younger ones, and fourth to fifth

hours playing on the beach and in the water. Even

grade seemed just right. I enjoyed teaching, and I

the sunburns we kept getting (our fair skin never

think I was pretty good at it. I still loved the outdoors

tanned) didn’t discourage us—as soon as we were

and took every opportunity to be out in the sun,

healed, we’d be back outside.

whether during the week or on weekends.

I was a good student and went on to college after

As I got older, I began to watch my health and

high school. My goal was to become an elementary

especially my skin more and more. I read about the

teacher (preferably a kindergarten teacher).

link between sunburns and skin cancer and that

worried me. I married a physician, and he insisted

that I use sunscreen regularly and remember to wear

a hat outdoors. I still loved sailing and going to the

beach (so did he), but now I was careful to guard

myself and our little son against getting burned.

40–59 years

60+ years

Thanks to my husband’s concern, I saw my doctor

My husband and I are both retired now, and tennis,

for annual check-ups and followed her instructions

golf, sailing, and the beach are still regular parts of

religiously. I developed slightly elevated blood pressure our lives.

as I aged, but the doctor found a combination of

medication and diet that controls it, so I didn’t worry

about it.

Because of my history of sunburns, she also checked

me carefully for any changes in moles or any other

signs of skin cancer. Sure enough, when I was 56,

she found a few that were beginning to change.

Eventually, I had three of the moles removed surgically.

Both the oncologist who did the surgery and my

regular doctor said that because we caught the skin

cancer early, my chances of recovery were very good.

Master 1.1cc (page 29 of 30)

Shawna Thomas

I was born in a little town in Louisiana in 1950 of African American parents. As far as I know, there was no history of cancer in my family.

0–19 years

20–39 years

My father had been in the army before I was born.

I worked hard in college and, after several tries,

When he came home, he went to college on the

was admitted to a medical school for women in

GI bill. After college, he became a history teacher

Philadelphia. After I finished my training, I returned

in the local high school. We lived in a small but

to Louisiana to work in a clinic near the little town

nice house on the outskirts of town. My mother

I grew up in. When I was 30, I married a local

had a garden and raised chickens, so we ate lots

businessman and we started a family. I had

of vegetables and eggs.

two children.

I had asthma as a child, so I saw the doctor regularly.

Because of my medical training, I was very careful

Other than that, my childhood was uneventful. I

about watching my body for any changes. One

was a good student and dreamed of becoming

morning when I was 38, I discovered a spot in

a doctor myself.

my left breast that just didn’t feel right. I went

immediately to my doctor, and he sent me for

further testing. Sure enough, it was a small breast

tumor. I had a partial mastectomy (in those days,

they often removed more tissue than they had to),

followed by chemotherapy.

40–59 years

60+ years

After I recovered from the cancer, life was different

My children are grown, and I am retired now,

for me. The shock of being ill had caused me to

preferring to volunteer instead of work for pay at

reevaluate my priorities. I reduced the number of

the small hospital the town finally built. My husband

hours I was spending in the clinic, preferring to

died last year of a stroke, and I decided to offer a

spend more time at home with my husband and

scholarship in his name each year to a young person

children. I regularly examined my remaining breast

from the area who wants to go on to college. Life is

tissue and also went for regular cancer check-ups.

good. After all these years, I have finally lost my fear

Fortunately, we had caught the cancer before it

that the breast cancer will return (but I still see my

spread, and five years after my surgery, I was still

doctor regularly).

cancer-free.

Master 1.1dd (page 30 of 30)

Group Summary

Name: ___________________________

Use the information in your group’s identity envelopes to complete this master.

Section 1: Family History

Tally the number of people in your group

• who have a history of cancer in their family: _______________

• who do not have a history of cancer in their family : _________

Section 2: Cancer History

Complete the table by writing in the number of people in your group who were diagnosed with cancer during each period of life. Then, list the type of cancer each person developed. If no one was diagnosed with cancer, leave the section blank.

Group’s Cancer History, by Age

Type of Information

0–19 years

20–39 years

40–59 years

60+ years

number of people diagnosed

with cancer

type of cancer

Section 3: Possible Risk Factors

Go back through your cards and identify possible risk factors associated with the development of cancer in the people in your group. List those risk factors here.

Master 1.2

Drawing Conclusions from the Faces of Cancer

Name: ___________________________

Complete this master as your class compiles the data from the Group Summaries (Master 1.2).

Conclusion One: Family History

Conclusion Two: Relationship between Cancer and Age

Conclusion Three: Type of Cancer

Conclusion Four: Possible Risk Factors

Discussion Questions

1. In this lesson, all students in the class assumed the role of someone who developed cancer sometime in his or her lifetime. Is this an accurate representation of the risk of cancer among the American population? Explain your answer.

2. What explanation can you offer for the observation you made about the incidence of cancer compared with age?

3. What is the most interesting or surprising thing you learned from this lesson?

What is the most important? Why?

Master 1.3

Summary Profile of the Faces of Cancer

Section 1: Family History

Talley the number of people in the class

• who have a history of cancer in their family: ___________

• who do not have a history of cancer in their family: _____

Section 2: Cancer History

Total number of people diagnosed with cancer in all groups

0–19 years

20–39 years

40–59 years

60+ years

Total number of each type of cancer

bladder _____

leukemia _____

prostate _____

brain _____

lung _____

retinoblastoma _____

breast _____

oral cavity _____

skin _____

cervical _____

ovarian _____

uterine _____

colon _____

pancreatic _____

other _____

Section 3: Possible Risk Factors (list any possibly relevant ones)

Master 1.4

Understanding Cancer

Name: ___________________________

Use the resources on the Web site: http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/cancer/student.

If you don’t have Internet access, use Master 2.2 to complete this three-page master..

Section 1: Factors Reported to Be Associated with Cancer

View the News Alert! videos (or read the News Alert! descriptions on Master 2.2) and use the information provided to identify what each video (or description) suggests is the cause of cancer and what evidence supports that claim.

News Alert! Video

Factor Proposed to Cause Cancer

Evidence

or description

Cancer and

Chemical Poisons

Cancer and Your

Family History

Cancer and

Radiation Exposure

Cancer and UV Light

Section 2: Building an Explanation for the Cause of Cancer

View the Cell Cycle animations on the Web site (or read Master 2.3). Think about the information each animation (or each resource on Master 2.3) presents, then write a one-sentence statement for each that summarizes what you learned.

Animation (or Resource) 1:

Cancer involves . . .

Master 2.1a (page 1 of 3)

Animation (or Resource) 2:

Cell division normally is . . .

Animation (or Resource) 3:

Cell cycle regulation is accomplished by . . .

Animation (or Resource) 4:

Cancer-causing agents often . . .

Animation (or Resource) 5:

When damage occurs to genes that regulate the cell cycle . . .

Master 2.1b (page 2 of 3)

Section 3: Explaining Factors Associated with Cancer

Review your notes from Section 1, then write a sentence that describes how our current understanding of cancer explains the role that each factor plays in causing cancer.

Cancer and Chemical Poisons

Cancer and Your Family History

Cancer and Radiation Exposure

Cancer and UV Light

Master 2.1c (page 3 of 3)

Transcripts of News Alerts

News Alert!

Cancer and Chemical Poisons

Dr. Percivall Pott

London, 1775

I have been studying the various forms of cancer that plague our society. It has come to my attention that people of certain occupations have higher frequencies of certain types of cancer than the general public. In particular, chimney sweeps have a high rate of cancer of the scrotum. Young boys often enter the profession because they are able to squeeze down narrow chimneys. Once inside the chimneys, they spend hours scraping them clean of the accumulated tars that otherwise would cause disastrous chimney fires. Sweeps are continually covered with flue tar and dust, and because they likely do not bathe regularly, this dust remains trapped in the folds of the skin. I believe that some agent in the coal tar, when exposed to the scrotum across many years, actually causes this disease.

News Alert!

Cancer and Your Family History

Dr. Hilario de Gouvea

Brazil, 1886

Today I would like to present a most curious case. It may shed light on an aspect of cancer about which we know little. Fourteen years ago, a man brought his 2-year-old son in for treatment of retinoblastoma, a very rare form of cancer that develops within the eye, often of young children. If untreated, the cancer travels up the optic nerve until it reaches the brain and spreads throughout the body. I removed the tumor, and the boy was completely cured. He married and had seven children. Curiously, two of his girls developed retinoblastoma in both eyes. The parents refused treatment, and both girls died within several months. Here, a form of cancer that normally occurs once in every 20,000 children has occurred three times in one family. I believe this represents evidence that susceptibility to cancer can be transmitted from parents to children, just like hair or eye color.

News Alert!

Cancer and Radiation Exposure

X-Ray Technician

New York, 1902

X-rays are the marvel of modern science. These powerful yet invisible rays permit us to see the inner workings of the body and provide treatments that we are just beginning to understand. Let technicians be warned, however, these rays, while capable doing great good, can also do great harm. We have noticed a high rate of skin cancer among technicians who use their hands to focus the energized machine. Patients are exposed only briefly to the rays. Technicians, on the other hand, work on these machines all day long and have many hours of exposure. Our advice is to keep the machine off while adjusting it and even to go to the next room when it is time to energize it.

Master 2.2a (page 1 of 2)

News Alert!

Cancer and UV Light

News Reporter

Miami, 1945

Now that the war is over, Americans are ready to relax and enjoy their freedom. What better place to recuperate than at the beach? Women have cast aside the Victorian fashions of yesteryear and have adopted the new, sleek, trimmed-down swimsuit. Sunbathers say the more skin, the better. Be warned, however, that all this skin and sun can lead to painful burns. In fact, now doctors are warning of a possible connection between the sun’s rays and skin cancer. Perhaps the unseen ultraviolet rays that fade our clothes can also damage skin and lead to deadly disease. Maybe a healthy tan is not so healthy after all.

Master 2.2b (page 2 of 2)

Resources for Understanding Cancer

Resource One

The rate and timing of cell division in your body normally are very precisely regulated. Cells are formed, mature, and eventually die.

As older cells die, other cells divide and replace these lost cells, which maintains tissue integrity.

Chemical messengers that pass between neighboring cells help keep the rate of cell division equal to the rate of cell death.