Cancer

Francesca Anisco

PH-1 Sec 06 - Understand Health 12:00 - 1:15

LienAnh Mai

San Jose State University

 1

Choosing A Specific Health Topic:

Cancer is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Although cancer

is usually generalized as one disease, it is actually defined as a group of several different types of

diseases that are characterized by the presence of cells that exhibit abnormal growth, division,

and differentiation. Examples of these diseases include carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias, and

lymphomas. Cells are considered to be the building blocks of all life. Typically, normal cells are

supposed to divide and differentiate as individuals grow and develop. Instructions from the cell’s

genetic material allow normal cells to possess the ability to create regulatory proteins, which

program these cells to grow and divide at appropriate times. Therefore, regulatory proteins play

an important role in the timing of cell division. However, cancerous cells are not normal cells.

Cancerous cells do not possess this characteristic to stop growing and dividing at appropriate

times. They also differentiate abnormally. This is caused by changes in the cell’s genetic

material.

Normal cells can only develop into cancerous cells due to mutations to the cell’s genetic

material. The production of oncogenes, which possess the ability to speed cell growth, and the

loss or mutation of tumor-suppressor genes, which possess the ability to slow down cell growth,

is a part of a multistage process that leads to the development of cancer. These mutations can be

caused through exposure from numerous factors. These factors that contribute to the

development of cancer are called carcinogens. While mutations could be inherited, poor lifestyle

and environmental choices usually play a major role in the development of cancer. Some

examples of carcinogens include tobacco smoke, asbestos, benzene, and UV radiation. As

exposure to these carcinogens increases throughout an individual’s lifespan, the risk of

developing cancer increases.

 2

As cancer cells grow and divide, they can create malignant tumors which are masses that

invade body tissues and interfere with normal functions of tissues and organs. The presence of

tumors may cause pain to an individual as they invade and press on nerves. An important

characteristic of cancer is that they have the ability to metastasize. Metastasis is the ability for

cancer cells to spread from where they initially developed to other places in the body. Cancer

cells are easier to control when they first arise. When the first malignant tumor forms, the cancer

cells are localized and do not have the ability to metastasize. However, the cancer cells within the

malignant tumor eventually begin to secrete chemicals that destroy the substances that hold the

surrounding tissues together. Then, the cancerous cells can enter the bloodstream and lymph

vessels to travel to other parts of the body. This will allow the cancerous cells to enter other

tissues and divide to form new masses of malignant cells, obtaining the ability to metastasize.

Cancer becomes more difficult to control after metastasis occurs.

There are several risk factors to cancer. Unfortunately, there are a handful of these factors

that we are unable to control. Some risk factors that we are unable to control include genetics,

age, and ethnicity. However, there are several ways people can reduce their risk of developing

cancer. One way people can reduce their risk of getting cancer is to avoid exposure to

carcinogens. For example, people can stop smoking tobacco and avoid inhaling airborne asbestos

fibers in order to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer. People can also avoid the sun in

order to protect themselves against skin cancer. Another way people can reduce their risk of

getting cancer is just by managing their health. For example, females can reduce risk of breast

cancer and endometrial cancer by exercising and managing their weight.

Identifying your culture:

 3

I was born in Garden Grove, California in 2005, making me an American citizen,

however, I was sent back to the Philippines where my family lived, soon after my birth. I lived in

a provincial area in the Philippines known as Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines. The province was

recognized as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and was found on the northeastern side of

Panay Island. Both of my parents are Filipino, meaning that I am also Filipino and my racial

background is asian. Growing up, my family was well known throughout the country. My

grandparents from both sides of my family were very involved in politics and owned vast lands

and properties throughout the Philippines. One of the properties owned by my family included a

fish pond where we profited from an ice plant business and a fishing market. Outside of work,

my family had a fortunate life where we had the privilege to indulge in various sports and

activities. My parents loved to go wakeboarding at the beach and play tennis during their spare

time. Similarly, my sisters and I were involved in taekwondo, ballet, and swimming.

I moved back to California when I was 5 years old. Life in America was very different

compared to the Philippines. After moving to America, my family faced financial difficulties that

prevented us from enjoying the privileges that we had in the Philippines. Instead of playing

tennis, my parents were always working in order to provide and support our family. Instead of

lounging around on the beach and participating in various sports, my sisters and I focused on our

education in order to create a foundation for our future.

Describing how the culture in which you identify influences your feelings, attitudes, and

behaviors related to the chosen health topic.

Similar to how cancer is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States,

cancer is also one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines. I am scared of cancer.
 4

In 2012, I lost my grandfather to lung cancer, then later lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer

in 2017. Even though I was young, it was very saddening for me to watch my grandparents

suffer through the pain from developing tumors and the side effects from undergoing

chemotherapy. Although they tried their hardest to fight against their disease, they both

eventually passed away from cancer.

Smoking is very prevalent in the Philippines. Growing up, I was always exposed to

tobacco smoke through secondhand smoking. Several people in my family, including my parents

and grandparents, smoked cigarettes. It is very normalized within our culture even though it is

heavily tied to several diseases including cancer. Throughout my life, I watched several family

members struggle to fight against nicotine addiction, in hopes of prioritizing their health as they

got older. This encouraged me to avoid smoking cigarettes and stay away from tobacco in order

to prioritize my health and my future.

Although I try my best to prioritize my health, I find it difficult to manage my diet and

find time to exercise, especially after moving to America. When I was younger, I was able to eat

well balanced meals from home. However, living in America allowed my family to indulge in

the unhealthy culture of fast foods. Fast food is very cheap and convenient but it is also a major

factor that contributes to obesity in the United States. Obesity is also tied to certain cancers.

While I try my best to avoid eating a lot of unhealthy foods, I find myself indulging in fast food

because it is popular within my culture.

Do you think your children will view it the same way you do?

Although my children will not not encounter the same experiences as me, it is likely that

my children and I will have similar views towards cancer. Some of the risk factors of cancer
 5

include genetics and ethnicity. Not only is cancer one of the leading causes of death in the

Philippines, but it is also prevalent within my ancestors. Therefore, it is more than likely that my

children may also experience losing loved ones from cancer. They may also have to place efforts

to avoid carcinogens such as tobacco, the same way I do, in order to reduce their risk of

developing cancer.

In certain ways, I hope my children have different views than I do. While I struggle to

prioritize my health, I hope that I can provide balanced meals for my children and encourage

them to exercise and participate in sports. I want to ensure that I also prioritize my own health, so

that my future children do not have to watch me struggle through cancer, the way I had to watch

my grandparents struggle through cancer when I was younger.