Chapter 2, Section 4
Treating and Preventing Cancer
Scientists are making progress in the battle against cancer. Treatments offer hope for cancer patients. In addition, people can take steps that help prevent the disease.
Treating Cancer
If a person is diagnosed with cancer, there are a variety of treatments. There are three common ways to treat cancer: surgery, radiation, and drugs that destroy the cancer cells.
When a cancer is detected before it has spread to other parts of the body, surgery is usually the best treatment. If doctors can completely remove the cancerous tumor, a person may be cured. If, however, the cancer has spread or if the tumor cannot be removed, doctors may use radiation. Radiation consists of beams of high-energy waves. Fast-growing cancer cells are more likely than normal cells to be destroyed by radiation.
Chemotherapy is another form of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat a disease. Cancer-treatment drugs are carried throughout the body by the bloodstream. These drugs kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
Scientists continue to look for new ways to treat cancer. If scientists can discover how the cell cycle is controlled, they may find ways to stop cancer cells from multiplying.
For: Links on cancer
Visit: www.SciLinks.org
Web Code: scn-0324
Preventing Cancer
People can reduce their chances of developing cancer by avoiding smoking, eating a healthful diet, and protecting their skin from bright sunlight. When people repeatedly inhale tobacco smoke, lung cancer and other forms of cancer may result. Unhealthful diets may lead to almost as many cancer deaths as does tobacco. A diet high in fatty foods, such as fatty meats and fried foods, is especially harmful. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables may help lower the risk for some types of cancer.
Most skin cancers are caused by the ultraviolet light in sunlight. If people limit their exposure to bright sunlight, they can reduce their risk of getting skin cancer.
