TRAINING and EDUCATION
Patient Education
HOW DOES
CANCER DEVELOP?
Nearly one out of every two Americans will be diagnosed
with cancer in his or her lifetime, and worldwide, cancer incidence is predicted to increase from 12.8 million
new cases in 2008 to 24 million cases in 2035. Recently,
research into the growth of cancer has led to the development of better targeted cancer therapies and better
strategies for prevention. Read below for more information about how cancer develops and what you can do to
help prevent it.
FIGURE 1
Developing Cancer
Cancer arises when the orderly processes that control
the multiplication and life span of normal cells go awry.
This occurs predominantly as a result of changes in the
genetic material of the cells.
The length of time it takes for a cancer to develop
and gain the ability to invade local tissues, or the blood
stream, and spread (metastasize) to distant sites varies
widely and depends on the identity, order, and speed
at which changes in the genetic material accumulate.
Numerous interrelated factors, such as a person’s genetic makeup and environmental factors like tobacco
use, diet, associated illnesses, and other exposures,
also influence this rate.
FIGURE 2
What Factors Influence Cancer
Growth?
Many different types of changes in the genetic material of a cell can lead to cancer. Research has revealed,
however, that interaction between cancer cells and their
environment, known as the tumor microenvironment, as
well as interactions with systemic factors, are an important part of cancer development.
Key influencers include: genetic mutations, the
growth of blood and lymphatic vessel networks, systemic
factors, epigenetic marks, the immune system, and the
matrix of proteins that surround cancer cells. These factors are explained in FIGURE 1.
Preventing Cancer
Cut out and give to a patient
As scientists’ knowledge of the biology of cancer has
grown, so has their ability to exploit it to develop new
and improved approaches to cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Most of these new
approaches target cancer biology more precisely than
traditional approaches, providing patients with not just
longer but also higher quality lives. Of course, preventing
cancer from developing in the first place is the most effective way to reduce cancer’s burden. According to the
AACR Cancer Progress Report 2014, more than 50 percent of the 585,720 cancer deaths expected to occur in
2014 would be related to preventable causes. See FIGURE
2 for more information about what lifestyle changes you
can undertake to lower your risk of developing cancer.
This “Patient Education” tear sheet was produced in collaboration
with the American Association for Cancer Research (www.aacr.
org), with information from the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2014
(www.cancerprogressreport.org).
ASHClinicalNews.org
About the AACR
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is to prevent and cure
cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through programs
like the Survivor & Patient Advocacy Program (S&PA), the AACR fosters partnerships among
leaders of the cancer survivor, patient advocacy, and scientific communities.
For more information about the AACR, visit www.aacr.org and follow the AACR on
Twitter (@AACR) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/aacr.org). Read the AACR’s blog, Cancer
Research Catalyst: blog.aacr.org.
ASH Clinical News
67