CANCER

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Cancer begins when a single cell mutates, resulting in a breakdown of the normal regulatory controls that keep cell division in check. These mutations can be inherited, caused by errors in DNA replication, or result from exposure to harmful chemicals. A cancerous tumor can spread to other parts of the body and, if left untreated, be fatal.

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Images and animations are courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Talking Glossary (http://www.genome.gov/glossary/).

Materials for Cancer

Animation

Inside Cancer Multimedia Guide to Cancer Biology

Description: Information and animations exploring cancer characteristics, causes, prevention, and diagnosis, among other things

• Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
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• URL: http://www.insidecancer.org

Articles/Research

Breast Cancer Risk and Environmental Factors (PDF 1.37 MB)

Description: An illustrated article on breast cancer risk factors

• Source: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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• URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/environmental_factors_and_breast_cancer_risk_508.pdf

Cancer and the Environment (PDF 699.44 KB)

Description: Detailed article on environmental risk factors for cancer

• Source: National Institutes of Health
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• URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/cancer_and_the_environment_508.pdf

Cancer Genetics Overview

Description: Information on the role gene mutations play in causing cancer, characteristics of heritable cancers, genetic counseling for cancer risk, and testing technologies used to study cancer genetics

• Source: National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health
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• URL: http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/overview/healthprofessional

Genes in the News

Description: An overview on gene discovery in the field of cancer

• Source: National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health
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• URL: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/genetesting/page1

Genetics and Cancer

Description: A general overview on cancer genetics and testing

• Source: American Cancer Society, Inc.
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• URL: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/GeneticsandCancer/index

Lesson Guides/Lesson Plans

Cell Biology and Cancer

Description: A NIH Curriculum Supplement for high school teachers including lesson plans, class activities, and videos.

• Source: BSCS and Videodiscovery, Inc.
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• URL: http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/cancer/default.htm

Environment and Gene Interactions Cancer Module (PDF 3,266.9 KB)

Description: A power point presentation on genetic and environmental risk factors for cancer

• Source: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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• URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/environment_and_gene_interactions_cancer_module.pdf

Good Cells Gone Bad (PDF 102.28 KB)

Description: An activity on the cellular changes that lead to cancer

• Source: Arizona Cancer Center at the University of Arizona
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• URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_f_o/good_cells_gone_bad_2001.pdf

Teacher Resources

Inside Cancer - Teacher Center

Description: A Web tool for building classroom presentations, finding lesson plans, and aligning content with national and local education standards

• Source: Dolan DNA Learning Center
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• URL: http://teachercenter.insidecancer.org/