What Lung Cancer is, How Cells Become Cancerous, and What Carcinogens Are

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In this seminar (essay) we will be discussing cancer, specifically lung cancer, what it is, how cells become cancerous, and what carcinogens are. I will begin by telling you what a cell is. A cell is most frequently referred to as the basic building block of life. The human body is made up of millions and millions of cells that provide structure for the body and carry out many functions for everyday living. Cells grow and divide all the time and sometimes become damaged. This is when they become a mutation, which will continue to affect the normal growth of cells. As a mutated cell continues to divide, it only becomes more damaged. After about the fourth mutation is produced, growth becomes uncontrolled and this leads to a tumor. This large mass of cells is made up of mutated cells that can be benign or malignant. Benign cells are not cancerous; malignant cells are cancerous. A benign growth can occur in any part of the body and are small and harmless. It is the malignant cell growths that grow rapidly without knowing when to stop. These cells have the potential to grow into large masses and turns into what is known as cancer. When these large masses spread to other parts of the body they are known as metastases.

Cancer is defined as and abnormal growth of cells that grows. These abnormal cells grow uncontrollably until the tumor is noticed. When the tumor is found it is then tested to determine whether or not it is cancerous. The cancer we are going to focus on is lung cancer. Lung cancer starts in the cells that make up the lungs. It is one of the most common cancers and in 2007, it accounted for 15% of all the cancer diagnosis and 28% of the deaths from cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cance...

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...o all parts of the body, it can kill the cancer cells that have metastasized from the original cell mass. Chemotherapy does affect all cells, not just the as well as those that make up hair follicles. This leads to many other symptoms such as hair loss, fatigue, weakened immune systems leading to infections, bleeding, mouth sores, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.

Radiation is the last form of treatment and it done by using high-energy rays that kill or shrink cancer cells. Side effects are fatigue, eating problems, hair loss, and skin reactions.

There are many causes of lung cancer, some unknown; smoking is the most common cause. While undergoing treatment, it is always a good idea to eat healthy, getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, and rest, exercise is important too. This will help your body keep treatment side effects to a minimum.

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