Honors Project Checkpoint #2-Cancer and Health

Name: Julia Ellen

Patient #: 2

1. Define cancer in your own words:

Cancer is a multitude of many cells that have a broken cell cycle (tumors are formed after a
cancerous cell communicates with others to follow its actions).
2. Describe how cancer develops and its connection with mitosis:
Normally cells reproduce at a normal rate, which is only when they get too big, or a cell dies off.
When the cells die off it is replace by new cells. Cancer forms when the cells begin to grow and
reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cell tells other cells around it to start reproducing at a
rapid rate as well causing a tumor. Cancer relates to mitosis because when a cell starts to
reproduce at a faster rate its cycle skips interphase and repeats mitosis.
3. Define Metastasis. In a timeline, list the steps for how metastasis occurs.
Metastasis is when the cancerous cells from one part of the body get into the blood or lymph and
are able to travel throughout the body forming new tumors. First, a cell becomes cancerous.
Next, it communicates with other cells to become cancerous causing a tumor. Then, the cells
break through the basement membrane and gets into the lymphs or blood stream. Lastly, the
cells find a new area to create a new tumor.
4. What cancers have been scientifically linked to poor nutrition and obesity? For each,
state, using a correctly-formatted in-text citation, why scientists think poor nutrition or
obesity is a contributing factor.
Some cancers that are linked to poor nutrition and obesity include colon, esophageal, kidney,
endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancer. (Obesity, Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Cancer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network). Scientists think obesity is a factor
in these cancers because of the several effects on fat and sugar metabolism, immune function,
hormone levels and proteins that affect them, and other factors that are related to cell growth and
division. Scientists think poor nutrition is a factor in these cancers because when high calorie
foods and drinks are consumed it leads to overweight/obesity, increasing your risk of cancer.

5. For the cancers that you described in #4, list the ethnicities that most often get these
cancers. Include a correctly-formatted parenthetical in-text citation in your answer (it can
be the same source that you used for #4 above)
Colon cancer is most common for African Americans (A Snapshot of Colorectal Cancer,
National Cancer Institute).
Esophageal Cancer is most common for Whites or African Americans (Esophageal Cancer
and the Environment, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Kidney Cancer is most common for African American Men. (Kidney Cancer, Genentech)
Endometrial Cancer is most common for Whites (Uterine Cancer Rates by Race and
Ethnicity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Postmenopausal Breast Cancer is most common for White and African American women
(Race, Ethnicity, and Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen Employees).
6. What foods/diets are linked to lowered cancer risks? (Hint: Looking up antioxidants
and describing what they do would be good here). Include in your answer a correctly
formatted in-text citation different from the one that you used in #s 4 and 5
Some foods/diets that are linked to lower cancer risks are organic or local foods (non GMO
and pesticides), also eating colorful meals including lots of fruits, vegetables, vitamins,
minerals, and proteins. Also take in lots of fiber through whole grains, fruits, legumes, and
vegetables. Preparing food the healthy way and limiting your intake of red meat and
processed foods will also help in preventing cancer. (Cancer Prevention Diet, Help Guide)
7. Describe how at least one of the following factors also relates to cancer: genetics,
lifestyle, stress, environmental factors. Include in your answer, a correctly formatted intext citation different from the others that youve used.
Environmental factors can cause cancer because they mess with gene changes in our bodies.
They affect everyone differently because every ones genes are different along with their own
environment. These environmental factors can cause mutations to genes, possibly causing
cancerous cells. (Environmental Factors and Cancer, Quality Health)
8. Give a detailed analysis of your patients risk for developing cancer later in life. Include
in your analysis ALL of the following: genetics (family history), nutrition, antioxidant
intake, ethnicity, lifestyle, environmental factors in this area.
I calculated the patients BMI, and she is at a normal weight. Although based on her very
unhealthy diet it is very possible for her to be diagnosed with cancer later on in her life. Her
parents have high cholesterol, and she does as well. High cholesterol can cause Breast Cancer
so it is possible for her to be diagnosed with that later on. I am assuming that she is American

so she could be diagnosed with Bladder, Breast, Colon & Rectal, Endometrial, Kidney,
Leukemia, Lung, Melanoma, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Pancreatic, Prostate, or Thyroid
Cancer (all common for Americans) (Common Cancer Types, National Cancer Institute).
Some environmental factors that could affect her are people that smoke, pollution in the air,
water, or her food. All of these could lead to gene changes (also known as mutations) which
cause cancerous cells. She doesnt take in enough antioxidants which could also lead to
cancer because without the right amount of antioxidants it is unhealthy. If she takes in too
many antioxidants it could also lead to cancer in her future.
9. List the 3 primary or secondary resources that youve cited in this checkpoint. These
should be in correct MLA format!
Works Cited
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Obesity, Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Cancer (n.d.): n. pag. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Esophageal Cancer and the Environment."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Uterine Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20
Aug. 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Genentech. "Kidney Cancer." Genentech. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Help Guide. "Cancer Prevention Diet." Cancer Prevention Diet: Lower Your Risk with
Cancer-Fighting Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
National Cancer Institute. "Common Cancer Types." National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d.
Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
National Cancer Institute. "A Snapshot of Colorectal Cancer." National Cancer Institute.
N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Quality Health. "Environmental Factors and Cancer." Environmental Factors and Cancer.
N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Susan G. Komen Employees. "Race, Ethnicity, and Breast Cancer | Susan G. Komen."
Race, Ethnicity, and Breast Cancer | Susan G. Komen. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.