CANCER

Meghana Kalahasti
3/10/15
4th hour
Mr.heugh

SEARCH STORY
There are more than 100 types of cancers in the world! But do all of them have cures?
Read on and find out. Cancer is abnormal cells dividing and growing without control. It
divides endlessly, crowding out nearby healthy cells and eventually spreading to other
parts of the body. Thesis statement: Cures for cancer must be found.

I started my research paper by choosing a topic. I wrote research questions to help us

with my research. I also wrote a thesis statement to narrow down my research to a
specific part of my topic. Then I found sources from MEL databases. I took C.R.A.P
tests on 2 websites. Then I took notes using note cards. By the end of the week, we had
to have 50 - 60 notecards. I have 60 notecards in total. Then I made source cards for
the sources that I found. I had to take an interview to know more about the topic I
choose. I set up an interview with an oncologist through E-mail. Then I made a working
outline for my paper. Then I started writing my paper.

I decided to take an interview because I didnt have a lot of information about my topic. I
interviewed my mothers friend Dr. Srilaxmi because she is an oncologist. I thought she
would know a lot about cancer. I asked my mother to call her and set up an interview. I
found out that she didn't live in Detroit, so I asked her if we could do the interview by
email. I sent her my questions and she replied to them. From this interview I learnt
abnormal mutations in genes are the causes of most cancers. The symptoms depend
on the location and extent of the growth of the abnormal cells. Cancer can spread to
different parts of the body. Cancer is categorized based on the organ, tissue and the cell

of its origin and extent of growth. Cancer can come back after treatment for reasons
such as tumor cells left behind after surgery or if they become resistant to treatment.

SEARCH FINDINGS
There are many causes of cancer. One of them is called carcinogen. Most researchers
believe that most cancers develop only after repeated contact with carcinogenic
substances that cause or promote the development of cancer (Cancer 1). A lot of people
get cancer with their repeated contact with carcinogens such as tobacco. Many cancers
in the world are caused by viruses. One such virus is Epstein-Barr virus or EBV. EBV,
carry small molecules called microANS that infect the hosts cells natural processes
(Cancer 2). EBV causes an estimated 200,000 cancers each year. Many people are
prone to viruses that cause cancer (Cancer 2). There have to be a number of mutations
to a cell before it turn cancerous. This is because the changes that make a cell
cancerous in the first place take a long time to develop (Cancer 1). Cancer takes a long
time to develop before there are symptoms shown for it. Many cancers are linked to
lifestyle. Some causes can be overweight, age, smoking, family medical history,
alcohol (Cancer 1). Some people can be born with mutations in their cells that cause
them to turn cancerous (Cancer 1). There are many causes of cancer, but they also
have cures for them.

Other than taking treatment for cancer, there are a few cures that might reduce the
chance of a person getting cancer. One such cure is aspirin. Aspirin is recognized for
its effects in heart-attack prevention, but several studies show that aspirin can also

prevent cancer (Cancer 3). In the first study, researchers found out that aspirin users
had reduced cancer incidence from three years onward by 324 cases compared to 421
cases in groups who didnt consume aspirin (Cancer 3). Aspirin has reduced cancer
related deaths in the world. Another way cancer can be cured is Immunotherapy.
Scientists at national cancer institute (NCI) have developed a new method for using
immunotherapy to specifically attack tumor cells that have mutations unique to a
patients cancer.(NIH). Immunotherapy is also another way to cure cancer. These are
the cures for cancer but there are treatments a person can take to cure cancer.

Cancer is cured by taking treatment. One way cancer can be treated is by hormone
therapy. Doctors use hormone therapy for people with cancers that are hormone
sensitive of hormone dependent (Cancer 1). Hormone therapy for cancer is the use of
medicines to block the effects of hormones (Cancer 1). It is possible for cancer to be
cured with the use of hormone therapy. Cancer is often treated in 3 ways, the first one it
surgery. Surgery is a common way of treating cancer (Cancer 3). By the time surgery
is performed, most patients have tumors that have spread beyond the primary site
(Cancer 3). For this reason, surgery is often followed by radiation and chemotherapy
(Cancer 3). Best way to treat cancer is by simply removing it. The second way is
radiation therapy. Radiation therapy or radiation is often used to shrink of control the
growth of cancer (Cancer 4). About 50% of the cancer patients receive radiation
therapy (Cancer 4). Radiation is another way to treat cancer. The third way to treat
cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, referred to as systemic therapy, uses cancerkilling drugs that are given to the patient via various methods, most often by mouth or

injection(Cancer 4). Chemotherapy may cause side effects such as fatigue and
nausea. Chemotherapy may cause some side effects but can cure cancer.

During the treatment, there might be nausea, stress, fatigue, pain, anxiety. These side
effects can be cured by yoga, acupuncture, and meditation. Acupuncture is a treatment
when a practitioner inserts tiny needles into your skin at precise points (Mayo).
Acupuncture may also help certain types of pain with cancer (Mayo). Acupuncture can
cure the side effects of cancer treatment. Other than Acupuncture, there are other ways
to cure side effects. One of them is yoga. During a yoga session, you position your
body in various poses that require bending, twisting and stretching (Mayo). Yoga has
also been shown to improve sleep and reduce fatigue (Mayo). Yoga relieves patients
from the side effects they face after their treatment. Another cure for the side effects
caused by treatment is Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis may be helpful for people with cancer
who are experiencing anxiety, pain and stress(Mayo). Hypnosis is a good way to
relieve stress.