Los Angeles Mission College



Chapter 11

Combating Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Other Major Diseases

Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter, students should be able to:

* Describe the cardiovascular system

* Discuss the major forms of cardiovascular disease

* Describe methods of diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease

* List and discuss the risk factors for cardiovascular disease

* Discuss the nature of cancer, its diagnosis, and its incidence

* List and discuss the causes of cancer

* Discuss the similarities and differences among various types of cancer

* Discuss the nature, incidence, and control of diabetes

* Discuss various forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chapter Outline

I. Introduction

II. Cardiovascular Disease

III. The Cardiovascular System

a. The Heart

i. Places in the Heart

b. The Circulatory System

i. Types of Blood Vessels

ii. Blood

IV. Major Forms of Cardiovascular Disease

a. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

i. Atherosclerosis

ii. Inflammation

iii. Signs of a Heart Attack

iv. What to Do in Case of a Heart Attack

b. Angina Pectoris

c. Hypertension

d. Congestive Heart Failure

e. Congenital Heart Defects

f. Arrhythmias

g. Stroke

i. Types of Strokes

ii. Effects of Stroke

h. Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)

V. Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders

a. Diagnostic Tests

b. Treatment of Heart Disease

i. Heart Medications

ii. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

iii. Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

iv. Heart Transplants

c. Treating a Heart Attack

i. In the Hospital…

ii. After the Hospital…

d. Treating a Stroke

i. Common Warning Signs of Stroke

ii. In the Hospital…

iii. After the Hospital…

VI. Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

a. Risk Factors You Can’t Control

i. Age

ii. Gender

iii. Heredity

iv. Race/Ethnicity

b. Risk Factors You Can Control

i. Hypertension

ii. Blood Cholesterol

iii. Triglycerides

iv. Diabetes

v. Obesity

vi. Smoking

vii. Inactivity

viii. Negative Emotions

VII. Cancer

VIII. What is Cancer?

a. How Does Cancer Develop?

b. Diagnosing Cancer

c. Who Gets Cancer?

d. Surviving Cancer

IX. Causes of Cancer

a. Smoking

b. Diet

c. Obesity

d. Alcohol

e. Environmental Factors

i. Sun Exposure

f. Infectious Agents

g. Genetic Factors

h. Inactivity

X. Types of Cancer

a. Breast Cancer

i. Treatment

ii. Prevention

b. Ovarian Cancer

i. Risk Factors

ii. Treatment

c. Cervical Cancer

i. Detection

ii. Risk Factors and Treatment

d. Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

i. Treatment

e. Lung Cancer

f. Testicular Cancer

g. Colorectal Cancer

h. Prostate Cancer

i. Treatment

ii. Risk Factors

iii. Prevention

i. Skin Cancer

i. Risk Factors and Prevention

ii. Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

iii. Treatment

j. Oral Cancer

k. Leukemia

l. Lymphoma

m. Pancreatic Cancer

XI. Diabetes

XII. What Is Diabetes?

a. Types of Diabetes

i. Type 1 Diabetes

ii. Type 2 Diabetes

iii. Gestational Diabetes

b. Risk Factors for Diabetes

c. Managing Diabetes

XIII. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

XIV. What Kinds of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Are There?

a. Emphysema

b. Chronic Bronchitis

c. Treatment of COPDs

Key Terms

alveoli: The air cells of the lungs where gases are exchanged during respiration.

aneurysm: A ballooning out of an artery wall.

angina: Heart pain arising from insufficient blood flow to the heart.

anticoagulants: Drugs that help prevent the formation of blood clots in people with narrowed arteries.

aorta: The main artery in the body, it caries blood from the left ventricle of the heart and branches into smaller blood vessels for delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the various parts of the body.

arrhythmia: An irregular heart rhythm.

arteries: Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart and connect to capillaries that deliver oxygen-rich blood to body tissues.

arteriosclerosis: A condition in which the walls of arteries become thicker and harder and lose elasticity. Commonly called hardening of the arteries.

atherectomy: Surgical removal of arterial blockages.

atherosclerosis: A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by the thickening of artery walls and narrowing of the arterial passageways due to the buildup of fatty deposits or plaque.

atrial fibrillation: An arrhythmia characterized by too rapid contractions of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, which prevents the lower chambers, the ventricles, from responding in an organized or coordinated fashion.

atrial flutter: An arrhythmia characterized by overly rapid atrial contractions, but at a somewhat slower and more regular rate than is the case in atrial fibrillation.

atrium: The upper chamber in each half of the heart.

basal cell carcinoma (BCC): A form of nonmelanoma skin cancer; it is easily curable if detected and treated early. It appears as translucent, pearly raised tumors, usually found on the skin of the face, neck, hands, and trunk.

benign: Noncancerous.

beta blockers: Drugs that reduce the pumping demands placed on the heart.

biopsy: Surgical removal of a sample of tissue, which is then examined under a microscope to detect any cancerous cells.

blood plasma: The liquid part of the blood.

bradycardia: An abnormally slow heart rate.

breast-conserving surgery: Surgical procedure to treat breast cancer in which all or part of the breast is spared.

bronchial tubes: The passageways through which air travels from the windpipe to the lungs. From the Latin, bronchos, meaning “windpipe.”

calcium channel blockers: Drugs that interfere with the normal flow of calcium through the channels in the heart muscle.

cancer: Any of more than 100 diseases characterized by the development of malignant tumors, which may invade surrounding tissues and spread to other sites in the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream.

capillaries: Tiny blood vessels that carry blood from the smallest arteries directly to the cells and connect to the tiniest veins for transport of deoxygenated blood and cellular waste products.

carcinogen: A cancer-causing substance.

carcinoma: Cancer that originates in the epithelial tissues of the body.

cardiac arrest: The sudden stopping of the pumping action of the heart.

cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle or myocardium.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): An emergency medical treatment used to restore coronary and pulmonary functioning following cardiac arrest.

cardiovascular disease: A disease of the heart or blood vessels.

cerebral hemorrhage: Rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.

chemotherapy: The use of drugs to combat disease; generally applied to the use of anticancer drugs to treat malignancies.

chronic bronchitis: An inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, producing chronic coughing.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A disease process that results in diminished capacity of the lungs to perform respiration. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are among the leading causes.

circulatory system: The system or network of blood vessels that carries blood throughout the body.

clinical breast examination: A breast exam performed by a health care provider to detect the presence of lumps or other abnormalities.

coagulation: The process of clot formation.

colonoscopy: Typically an outpatient procedure that allows the physician to view the entire colon and to remove small polyps via the use of an elongated scope.

computed tomography (CT) scan: A sophisticated X-ray machine that generates a computer-enhanced image of internal body structures by means of passing a narrow X-ray beam through the body at different angles. Also called computerized axial tomography scan or CAT scan.

congenital heart defect: A heart defect that is present at birth.

congestive heart failure: A condition in which the heart is unable to pump out as much blood as it receives, leading to a backing-up or pooling of blood in the veins, lungs, and extremities.

coronary angiography: The technique that uses rapid-sequence X-rays to detect a radioactive dye as it passes through the coronary arteries, providing information on any blockages that may be restricting blood flow to the heart. Also called an angiogram.

coronary arteries: The small blood vessels that provide life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients to the heart.

coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG): A surgical technique that uses pieces of vein from elsewhere in the body as grafts that direct the flow of blood around a blocked or narrowed coronary artery.

coronary heart disease (CHD): A disease usually caused by damage to coronary arteries in which the blood supply to the heart is reduced to a level that is insufficient to meet the heart’s needs. Also called coronary artery disease.

C-reactive protein (CRP): A type of protein produced by the liver that can be used as a specific marker of inflammation in the body; elevated CRP levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Crohn’s disease: Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most often the small intestine.

cryosurgery: The use of freezing to remove noncancerous and cancerous growths.

defibrillator: An electrical device that stops fibrillation of the heart by applying electrical countershocks to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest. The use of a defibrillator may restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

diabetes mellitus: A metabolic disease involving insufficient production of insulin or a failure of cells to utilize the insulin that is produced, which leads to high glucose levels building up in the blood while cells remain starved for the glucose they need.

diastolic blood pressure (DBP): The minimum pressure that remains in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.

digitalis: A drug derived from the digitalis plant that improves the heart’s pumping ability by increasing the force of cardiac contractions.

digital rectal exam (DRE): A screening test in which the physician feels for the presence of bumps or hard spots in the prostate or rectum.

diuretic: Agent that increases the rate of excretion of urine from the body; used in treating congestive heart failure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular problems.

double-contrast barium enema: A test that uses a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum, in which the patient is first given an enema containing barium dye that is then followed by injection of air in the lower bowel.

echocardiogram: A device that uses reflected sound waves (“echoes”) to create an image of the internal structure and movement of the heart.

electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A device for recording and graphing the electrical activity of the heart.

electrodessication: The use of heat to destroy noncancerous and cancerous growths.

electroencephalogram (EEG): A device that places electrodes on the scalp to measure and display brain wave activity.

embolism: An obstruction of a blood vessel, usually caused by a blood clot.

emphysema: A lung disease involving destruction of the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The most common symptom of emphysema is breathlessness upon exertion.

epithelial tissue: Tissue that covers the outer surface of the body and that lines body cavities and other internal body surfaces.

erythrocytes: Red blood cells; they carry oxygen to cells.

essential hypertension: Hypertension in which the cause is unclear; also called primary hypertension.

exercise electrocardiogram: An electrocardiogram taken when the heart is stressed during exercise. Also called a stress test.

fecal occult blood test (FOBT): A home test for hidden blood in the stool, which may indicate bleeding from a precancerous or cancerous polyp.

flexible sigmoidoscopy: A procedure in which the physician inserts a hollow, flexible lighted tube to detect polyps in the rectum and lower third of the colon.

gestational diabetes: Diabetes developed during pregnancy.

glucose: A form of sugar formed during digestion and absorbed into the blood for transport to body cells.

heart attack: The common term for a myocardial infarction.

heart murmur: Abnormal heart sounds resulting from some disturbance in the normal flow of blood through the heart.

heart transplant: The replacement of a diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.

hemoglobin: Iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that gives blood its reddish color and carries oxygen for transport to tissues.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL): The so-called good cholesterol because it sweeps away cholesterol deposits from artery walls for elimination from the body, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

human papillomavirus (HPV): The virus that causes genital warts and is responsible for the great majority of cases of cervical cancer.

Hodgkin’s disease: A rare type of lymphoma characterized by enlargement of the lymph nodes, named after Thomas Hodgkin (1798–1866), a London physician who described its symptoms.

Holter monitor: Portable EKG device, used to detect intermittent arrhythmias, that continuously records the heart’s electrical activity over 24 hours as the patient goes about their daily activities.

hormone therapy: The use of hormones to retard the growth of cancerous cells.

hypertension: High blood pressure, generally determined by a blood pressure reading of 140 (systolic)/90 (diastolic) or higher.

hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus.

infarct: An area of dead or dying tissue as the result of an insufficiency of blood supply to the tissue.

insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that allows cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream.

insulin resistance: A condition in which the body fails to use insulin properly.

ionizing radiation: Powerful, high-energy radiation capable of causing atoms to become electrically charged or ionized. Examples include X-rays, cosmic rays, and radiation emitted from radioactive substances in the earth, such as uranium and radium, and from nuclear power plant accidents.

ischemia: An insufficiency of blood supply to a part of the body.

leukemia: Cancer that forms in the blood and blood-forming tissues of the body.

leukocytes: White blood cells; they combat infection.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL): The so-called bad cholesterol because it can stick to artery walls, forming fatty deposits that restrict the flow of blood to vital body organs, setting the stage for heart attacks and strokes.

lumpectomy: A surgical procedure used in breast cancer treatment that involves the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue but spares the breast.

lymphoma: Cancer that forms in the cells of the lymphatic system.

malignant: Cancerous.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): The use of magnets to generate a computerized image of internal body structures. Also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

mammogram: A specialized X-ray that can find tumors that are too small to be felt; used to diagnose breast cancer.

mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast.

melanoma: A potentially deadly form of cancer involving the formation of cancerous growths in melanin-forming cells, most commonly in the skin but sometimes in other parts of the body containing such cells, such as the eye.

metabolic syndrome: A complex of health problems in which people are at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, increased sugar in the bloodstream, high levels of triglycerides, high levels of LDL, and low levels of HDL.

metastases: Secondary tumors that arise from the primary growth in a new location in the body. Cancers that metastasize are those that spread from one body part to another.

mutation: A change in the genetic structure of a cell that is replicated through each cell division. From the Latin, muto, meaning “to change.”

myocardial infarction: A condition involving damage or death of heart tissue due to insufficient blood flow to the heart, usually as the result of a blockage in one or more coronary arteries.

nitroglycerine: Drug that dilates arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart and relieving angina attacks.

non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: All forms of lymphoma (cancers of the lymphatic system) other than Hodgkin’s disease.

nonmelanoma skin cancer: Skin cancer other than melanoma, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

oncogenes: Genes involved in normal processes of cell growth and regulation that may give rise to the development of cancerous growths if they are subjected to mutations or viral influences.

oncologist: Medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

oophorectomy: Surgical removal of one or both ovaries.

pancreas: A gland located near the stomach that secretes a digestive fluid into the intestines and manufactures the hormone insulin.

Pap test: The scraping of a “smear” of cells from the vagina and cervix for microscopic examination to reveal the presence of cancer. Also called a Pap smear; named after its developer, George Papanicolaou (1883–1962).

partial mastectomy: Surgical removal of the part of the breast that contains a cancerous growth and some surrounding tissue.

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): A technique for widening a blocked artery by inflating a tiny balloon within the artery, which compresses the blockage against the artery wall. Also called balloon angioplasty.

platelets: Round or oval disks in the blood that help blood clot when there is a wound or injury.

polyps: Bulging masses of tissue in the colon, which may become cancerous.

prehypertension: Generally determined by a blood pressure reading of 120 to 139 mm Hg (systolic)/80 to 89 mm Hg (diastolic).

primary tumor: The original site of a tumor or growth.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA): An enzyme produced in the epithelial cells of the prostate gland. Abnormally high levels of PSA in the blood are often found in men with prostate cancer.

prostatitis: An inflammation of the prostate gland.

proto-oncogenes: Normal genes that control replication and differentiation (specialization) of cells.

PSA test: A screening test that measures the level of a naturally-occurring substance made by cells in the prostate and is used to detect localized prostate cancers that might not be felt by examination.

pulmonary artery: The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.

radiation therapy: Use of high energy X-rays to eradicate or shrink cancerous growths.

radical hysterectomy: The surgical removal of the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, part of the vagina, and possibly nearby lymph nodes.

radical prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the entire prostate gland.

radionuclide imaging: A technique for detecting blockages of blood flow in and around the heart by means of using a specialized scanning device to track the movement of radioactive substances injected in the bloodstream.

rheumatic fever: An inflammatory disease that may occur following a streptococcal infection and possibly cause serious damage to the heart valves and kidneys.

salpingectomy: Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes.

sarcoma: Cancer that originates in connective tissues of the body.

secondary tumor: Cancer that spreads from the original site to other sites of the body.

statins: Class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that can help prevent the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) along artery walls that can lead to heart disease.

stroke: The sudden loss of consciousness and resulting paralysis, loss of sensation, and other disability or death resulting from blockage of blood to a part of the brain or bleeding in the brain. Also called a cerebrovascular accident or CVA.

suppressor genes: Genes that curb cell division and suppress development of tumors.

squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): A form of nonmelanoma skin cancer, which like basal cell carcinoma, is easily curable if detected and treated early. It appears as a reddish or pinkish raised nodule, usually on the face, hands, or ears.

systolic blood pressure (SBP): The maximum pressure in the arteries that occurs when the heart contracts with each heartbeat.

tachycardia: An abnormally rapid heart rate.

thrombolytic agents: Drugs that can dissolve blood clots following a heart attack.

thrombus: A blood clot that blocks a blood vessel or cavity of the heart.

tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA): Clot-dissolving drug that may be used to disperse a clot in the brain, or prevent it from growing; may be used to restore the flow of blood to the brain, saving brain tissue and minimizing damage after a stroke.

transrectal ultrasound (TRUS): A screening test in which sound waves reflected by the prostate form an image of the gland for the physician to examine.

transient ischemic attacks (TIAs): Brief stroke-like episodes resulting from an insufficient blood supply to the brain.

triglycerides: The main type of fat carried through the bloodstream and stored in the body’s fatty tissue.

tumor: A mass of excess body tissue or growth that may or may not be cancerous.

Type 1 diabetes: A form of diabetes that usually develops in childhood or young adulthood in which the person requires daily doses of insulin to make up for the deficient production by the pancreas. Previously called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

Type 2 diabetes: A type of diabetes that usually develops in middle or later life involving a breakdown in the body’s use of insulin. Previously called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDM).

ulcerative colitis: Inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the colon.

ultrasound imaging: An imaging technique used to produce an image of organ or tissue based on the transmission of high-frequency sound waves.

ultraviolet A (UVA): A form of ultraviolet radiation from sunlight that can damage the skin and eyes.

ultraviolet B (UVB): A more dangerous form of ultraviolet radiation from sunlight that is principally responsible for sunburns.

ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Radiation in the form of ultraviolet light from the sun. Most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun are screened out by the ozone layer above the earth.

vasodilator: Agent that expands (dilates) blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely (e.g., angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors).

veins: Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

vena cava: The largest veins, which carry blood directly into the heart.

ventricle: The lower chamber in each half of the heart.

ventricular fibrillation: A potentially fatal arrhythmia characterized by irregular contractions of the two ventricles, or lower chambers, of the heart, which impairs its ability to pump effectively.

Discussion Questions

1. Your heart has been beating and serving you for many years. Do you think it is important for you to understand how your heart works? Why or why not?

A: Opinion. Answers will vary.

2. When you hear “big words” like atrial fibrillation and cerebral thrombosis, do you get turned off and try to put them out of your mind? Or do you assume that you will be able to learn them? Why?

A: Opinion. Answers will vary.

3. In what ways are treatment and rehabilitation for victims of heart attacks and strokes similar? In what ways are they different?

A: Treatment for heart attacks includes: CPR may be performed in route to hospital, a series of diagnostic tests may be performed; and drug therapy or angioplasty may be performed. Rehabilitation: Most are able to resume normal life after a few weeks, but need to make lifestyle adjustments based on lessening the possibility of another incident. Treatment for a stroke includes: A 3- to 6-hour window for maximum assistance exists; diagnostic tests may be performed; clot-dissolving drugs may be used; and surgery may be performed. Rehabilitation: Changes in lifestyle behaviors may reduce the risk of recurrent strokes, and depending on severity, physical, speech, and occupational therapy may be necessary. The road to recovery may be lifelong.

4. What is the difference between coronary heart disease (CHD) and a heart attack?

A: CHD = coronary heart disease. CHD is a disease usually caused by damage to coronary arteries in which the blood supply to the heart is reduced to a level that is insufficient to meet the heart’s needs.

Heart attack = common term for a myocardial infarction. Death or damage to the heart muscle caused by insufficient blood supply.

5. Why is hypertension considered a silent killer? What is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

A: Hypertension is a silent killer because many people are unaware that they have hypertension until a blood test is performed, which many people do not receive due to poor health care. Systolic is the measure of maximum pressures in the arteries when the heart contracts or beats and pushes blood into the body. Diastolic is the minimum pressure remaining in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.

6. Agree or disagree with the following statement and support your answer: “Because I have some uncontrollable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it is useless to try to prevent it.”

A: Opinion. Answers will vary.

7. Why is it important to detect cancer early?

A: Early detection and treatment are key elements in long-term survival. The American Cancer Society estimates that if all Americans followed their recommendations for early detection testing of cancers for which they make specific early detection recommendations (breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, oral cavity, and skin), the five-year survival rate for these cancers would be about 95%.

8. Rates of cancer and cancer death rates vary among ethnic and racial groups in our society. What factors account for these differences? What do you think can be done to eliminate these differences?

A: Minority groups in our country are overrepresented in lower socioeconomic groups that tend to have less access to medical assistance. Additionally, these groups tend to be more physically inactive, smoke at greater rates, eat higher fat diets, lack early detection and screening, and lack access to treatment services.

9. Should the government allow alternative treatments for cancer to be sold openly? Why or why not?

A: Untested treatments may cause serious side effects or divert patients from potentially effective therapies. However, safe alternative treatments may increase the patient’s sense of control and relieve some pain and anxiety. The government should protect patients from nonresearch-based alternatives that might lessen the chance of recovery.

10. Based on your reading, what steps can people take to reduce their risk of developing diabetes?

A: We can reduce our risk of contracting diabetes by: adopting a healthy diet, which includes replacing saturated and trans fat with unsaturated fat and replacing refined grain products with whole grains; maintaining a healthy body weight; increasing activity levels and reducing sedentary behaviors; avoiding smoking; and limiting alcohol consumption to moderate drinking.

In-Class Activities

1. After a discussion on the heart and cardiovascular system, have each student count their pulse for one minute and also listen to their heartbeat for 10 seconds. Then with students in groups of 3–4, have students develop a list of factors that are protective of heart health as well as factors that are considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

2. Have students write on a piece of paper their deceased relatives and then next to each the cause of death (if known). Also note the age of death or approximate age of death. Identify a few students to volunteer their information. Try to note and emphasize the differences between diseases and conditions related to genetics of family history and those diseases more influenced by lifestyle choices, such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, lack of exercise, and so on. Relatives that die at a younger age were more influenced by family history of the disease, whereas relatives dying at an older age had lifestyle factors as a major influence.

Homework Suggestions

1. List all your controllable and uncontrollable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Then create a “personal heart protection plan.”

2. List all the signs of an impending heart attack. List the steps to take to assist someone that is having a heart attack. Include a 911 simulated conversation.

3. Identify and discuss major forms of cardiovascular disease.

4. Identify and discuss steps to reduce hypertension.

5. List and discuss general and specific cancer signs and symptoms. Go to and identify the top ten cancers that affect your home state. List those cancers that you are at risk for developing.

6. Discuss the criteria listed in Health Skills 11-4, “Protecting Yourself from Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases.” Create a “personal prevention goal” for each of the segments. Share this plan with your family.

7. Explain the ABCDE’s of melanoma.

8. Discuss new or proposed treatments for cancer. Which do you believe to be the most promising? Why?

Web Exercises

1. Go to , a service of the National Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Click on “Health A-Z” and then on the letter “H.” Choose “Heart Diseases” and then “Cardiovascular Risk Assessment for Women.” Take this survey regarding a woman’s health and lifestyle and heart disease risk.

2. Go to , the website of the American Heart Association. From the links listed in the toolbar, choose “Getting Healthy.” From the bottom of the page, choose “My Life Check Assessment.” On this page, click “Get Your Assessment.” Take the quiz to assess your score for Life’s Simple 7: Get Active, Control Cholesterol, Eat Better, Manage Blood Pressure, Lose Weight, Reduce Blood Sugar, and Stop Smoking.

3. Go to . Locate “Assess Yourself” in the left-hand panel and then click “See All.” On this page, choose ”C” and then “Cancer,” and take the cancer quizzes provided. Then choose “D” from the top tabs and “Diabetes,” and take the diabetes quizzes provided. These short quizzes test your knowledge and provide lots of information about the topics.

Suggested Readings

American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. Living Well, Staying Well: Big Health Rewards from Small Lifestyle Changes. New York: Times Books, 1996. From two of the leading health organizations in the country, the book offers suggestions for achieving maximum health by making small changes in your life and avoiding life’s two most devastating illness, heart disease and cancer.

Gersh, B. J. Mayo Clinic Heart Book (revised edition). New York: William Morrow, 2000. Covers the anatomy of the heart, the fundamentals of diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, and offers suggestions for reducing your risk of heart disease.

American Cancer Society (). The American Cancer Society publishes a wide range of pamphlets and other resource materials for the general public, dealing with cancer statistics, risk factors, diagnostic issues, treatment alternatives, and suggestions for prevention.

Harpham, W. Diagnosis Cancer: Your Guide Through the First Few Months. New York: Norton & Co., 1997. Written by a physician with cancer, it provides helpful information to cancer patients about such issues as treatment alternatives and coping emotionally with a diagnosis of cancer.

Lange, P., and Adamec, C. Prostate Cancer for Dummies: A Reference for the Rest of Us! New York: Wiley Publishing, 2003. A straightforward and fact-filled resource for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones.

Rollin, B. First You Cry. New York: Harper Paperback, 1993. Written by a TV journalist, this is a compelling first-person account of one woman’s struggle to survive breast cancer.

Rosenberg, S. A. The Transformed Cell: Unlocking the Mysteries of Cancer. New York: G. P. Putnam, 1992. A helpful guide to understanding the biology of cancer.

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