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Cancer Facts & Worksheets

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body

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Cancer is any of a wide range of illnesses characterized by the growth of abnormal cells with the capacity to invade and damage healthy bodily tissue while dividing uncontrollably. It is frequently possible for cancer to spread throughout your body.

See the fact file below for more information on Cancer, or you can download our 29-page Cancer worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS CANCER?

  • Cancer is a broad collection of diseases that can begin in practically any organ or tissue of the body. These illnesses occur when abnormal cells grow out of control, cross their usual boundaries to infect nearby body parts, and/or spread to other organs.
  • Cancer arises when genetic changes disrupt this orderly framework. Cells start to grow out of control. These cell growths are tumors. Both benign and malignant tumors are possible. 
  • Malignant describe a cancerous tumor’s ability to grow and spread to other body parts. The benign tumor can increase in size but won’t spread.
  • Cancer cells can move through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to other body parts when they separate from a tumor. 
  • Cancerous cells can spread throughout the bloodstream and end up in distant organs. Cancer cells could end up in lymph nodes if they move through the lymphatic system. 
  • Most cancer cells that escape either die or are eliminated before they may begin to increase elsewhere. However, a few could disperse, start to spread, and develop new tumors. Metastasis is the medical term for the spread of cancer to a new area of the body.

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CANCER

  • A malignancy may spread to surrounding organs, blood vessels, or nerves or start to press against them. Some of the symptoms and signs of cancer are brought on by this pressure. 
  • Other symptoms of cancer include fever, excessive weariness, and weight loss. This might be because cancer cells consume a large portion of the body’s energy. 
  • Or cancer may release chemicals that alter how the body produces energy. These symptoms and signs can also be brought on by cancer, leading the immune system to react in specific ways.
  • Although cancer can cause a wide range of symptoms, these issues are typically brought on by disease, trauma, benign tumors, or other problems.
  • It is advised for a person to consult their doctor if they suffer symptoms that do not go away after a few weeks so that issues can be identified and treated as soon as feasible. 
  • It is not advisable to wait until they are in agony before visiting a doctor because cancer frequently does not cause discomfort.

KINDS OF CANCER

  • Leukemia – A malignancy of the blood cells called Leukemia. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are the three major types of blood cells. 
  • Additionally, Leukemia typically refers to white blood cell cancers.
  • Carcinoma – Carcinoma makes for 80% to 90% of all cancer diagnoses, making it the most prevalent type. Epithelial tissue, which lines your organs, internal body passageways, and skin, is where cancerous tumors develop. 
  • Tumors called carcinoma can develop on the skin, the lungs, breasts, prostate, colon, kidneys, pancreas, and other organs.
  • Sarcoma – Sarcomas are an uncommon kind of cancer. Because they develop in different tissue types, sarcomas are distinct from the considerably more prevalent carcinomas. Sarcomas develop in connective tissue cells, which join or support various tissue types in the body.
  • These tumors can occur anywhere on the body, but they most frequently occur in the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat, and blood vessels of both arms and legs.
  • Lymphoma – Lymphocytes, immune system cells that fight infection, are where lymphoma, a type of cancer, first appears. 
  • These cells can be found in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and other organs. Lymphocytes alter and overgrow when you have lymphoma.
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma are two different forms of lymphoma. Different kinds of lymphocyte cells are involved in these kinds of lymphomas.
  • Each form of lymphoma develops at a special rate and uniquely reacts to therapy.
  • Myeloma – A malignancy of the plasma cells, also known as multiple myeloma. White blood cells, called plasma cells, produce antibodies against infection. 
  • Myeloma cells proliferate excessively, displacing healthy bone marrow cells that produce red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells.

IS CANCER TREATABLE?

  • Depending on the type and stage of cancer, the kind of treatment the patient can receive, and other considerations, it is possible to cure someone’s cancer. 
  • It is more likely to cure some malignancies than others. But different treatments are required for certain cancers. Cancer has no single treatment.
  • Cancer research has been in one form or another for more than 200 years. There has been a lot of improvement, even if there is no cure. When one is diagnosed with cancer, it might not seem to happen quickly enough. 
  • However, there are now more alternatives for treatment than there were even five years ago. Today’s medical professionals are better equipped to detect many malignancies in their early stages. If one treatment doesn’t work, they can try more.
  • On the other hand, there is no evidence that “alternative” or natural cancer treatments can eradicate the disease.
  • However, several secure non-medical remedies can assist in counteracting side effects, including weariness, nausea, and pain, such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, and yoga.

IS CANCER PREVENTABLE?

  • No cancer is 100% preventable, with 30 and 50 percent of instances being avoidable. 
  • However, addressing some manageable risk factors, such as overall diet, physical exercise, and other lifestyle choices, can decrease one’s likelihood of getting cancer. A crucial component of cancer prevention is routine screening exams.
  • The doctor can identify cancer early when there is a better chance that it can be effectively treated. 
  • Several variables, including sex, age, personal risk factors, current health, and family history, influence the frequency of a person’s screenings.
  • While no foods may prevent or keep a person from acquiring cancer, medical research has shown that following specific basic dietary rules may help minimize their risk of cancer and other chronic diseases like diabetes. 
  • Eating vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean animal protein like fish and poultry are advisable. When possible, choose whole, organic foods. 
  • Read the labels and look for whole grains, little to no salt, little to no saturated fats, and as little red and processed meat as possible. Lastly, avoid consuming soft drinks, drink alcohol in moderation, or don’t drink at all.
  • To add up, most health experts concur that quitting smoking is the most crucial action somebody can take. 
  • It has been demonstrated that quitting at any age lowers the risk of contracting diseases and increases one’s likelihood of living longer.

Cancer Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Cancer across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching students about Cancer, a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.

Cancer Worksheets
Cancer Worksheets
Cancer Worksheets

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Cancer Facts
  • Normal Cell vs. Cancer Cell
  • Cancer Diagnosis
  • Cancer Ribbons
  • Stages of Cancer
  • Curable Cancers
  • Incurable Cancers
  • Preventable Cancers
  • Be Compassionate
  • Living with Cancer
  • A Profession

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease where cells in your body grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. Cancer can start in any part of the body and can spread to other parts through the blood or lymphatic system.

How do people get cancer?

Cancer can happen to anyone, but certain things can increase your risk of getting it, like smoking or being around cigarette smoke, exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, and having a family history of cancer.

Can cancer be cured?

Many types of cancer can be treated and even cured if caught early. Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other targeted therapies.

Is cancer contagious?

No, cancer is not contagious, and you cannot catch cancer from someone else, like a cold or the flu.

Can you prevent cancer?

While there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, like eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and avoiding things that are known to increase your risk, like smoking or being around cigarette smoke.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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