Cancer 101: A Cancer Education and Training Program for American Indians & Alaska Natives

1. Cancer 101: A Cancer Education and Training Program for American Indians & Alaska NativesVersion 2 – Updated October 2011 Date Location Presented by: Presenter 1 Presenter 2

2. Basics of Cancer Treatment Cancer 101 – Version 2 Learning Module 7

3. Learning Objectives At the completion of learning Module 7, you will be able to: • Discuss the Western and traditional approach to cancer treatment • Discuss the difference between local and systemic treatment for cancer

4. Learning Objectives (cont’d) • Describe the reason side effects occur with cancer treatment • Describe at least two side effects that can occur as a result of cancer treatment • Discuss the benefits of managing physical effects of cancer and cancer treatment

5. How We Become Well Again • For many AI/AN diagnosed with cancer, treatment often involves a blend of both Western medicine and traditional medicine. • Both may be necessary in the fight against cancer.

6. Western Medicine Characteristics of the Western medical approach to cancer treatment include: • Science based. • Focus on physical aspect of the disease. • Team of special doctors working together to develop a treatment plan to fit the patient’s situation.

7. Traditional Medicine Characteristics of traditional medicine include: • A traditional healer establishes a long-term relationship with the person and their family • Treatment plan focus is on the “whole person”.

8. Holistic Approach • Goal of treatment is centered on restoring harmony and balance. • AI/AN are most likely to benefit when treatment is focused on a holistic approach that involves a blending of Western and traditional medicine.

9. The treatment team: Patient Surgeons Medical oncologists Radiation oncologists Nurses Others The treatment plan: Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Hormone therapy Biological therapy Stem cell transplant Clinical trial Cancer Treatment

10. Treatment Factors Treatment for cancer depends on the following factors: • Type of cancer • Size, location and stage of the disease • General health of the individual

11. Local treatment affects cancer cells in the tumor and the area near it: Surgery Radiation therapy Systemic treatment travels through the bloodstream reaching cancer cells all over the body: Chemotherapy Hormone therapy Biological therapy Local or systemic treatment?

12. Treatment Methods - Surgery • The removal of the cancerous tumor. • May also include removal of the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes near the tumor. Photo credit: Linda Bartlett | Source: NCI

13. Treatment Methods – Radiation Therapy • Use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells • Types: • External (outside the body) • Internal (implanted in the body) Photo credit: Rhoda Baer | Source: NCI

14. Treatment Methods - Chemotherapy • The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. • Can be given: • Intravenously (through a vein) • Oral/by mouth (pills) • Injection (a shot in the skin tissue or muscle) • Topical (applied on the skin) Photo credit: Rhoda Baer | Source: NCI

15. Treatment Methods – Hormone Therapy • Used against certain cancers that depend on hormones for their growth. • Breast cancer • Prostate cancer • Anti-hormone treatment can cause these cancers to go away or be controlled for a time.

16. Treatment Methods – Biological Therapy • Also known as immunotherapy. • May: • Stop or slow the growth of cancer cells • Make it easier for the immune system to destroy cancer cells • Keep cancer from spreading to other parts of the body

17. Treatment Methods – Stem Cell Transplantation • Transplantation of blood-forming stem cells enable patients to receive high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. • Three types of stem cell transplants: • Autologous • Syngeneic • Allogeneic

18. Treatment Methods – Clinical Trials • Research studies that evaluate promising new therapies and answer scientific questions. • Cancer treatments available today are the result of clinical trial research.

19. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) • Complementary medicine • Alternative medicine • Ensure safe and coordinated care! • Inform your provider about any therapies you use or are considering

20. Side Effects • Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. • Surgery  Pain • Radiation therapy  Tiredness, skin changes • Chemotherapy  Hair loss, anemia, tiredness, weakness, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth or lip sores • Biological therapy  Flu-like symptoms • Hormone therapy  Weight gain, hot flashes, nausea

21. Palliative Care • Manage physical effects of cancer and/or its treatment. • Given in addition to treatment throughout patient’s experience with cancer. • Every person will have different palliative care needs. • Research shows it improves quality of life.

22. Case Study • Martha had local and systemic treatment. • Local: • Surgery to remove the breast tumor • External radiation therapy to the breast after surgery. • Systemic: • Tamoxifen after surgery for prevention • Complementary Medicine: • Yoga

23. In Summary • You now have an understanding of: • Common cancer treatments and their potential side effects.