Learning Activity: Understanding different types of cancer

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(CNN Student News) -- Students will learn about the causes and symptoms of different types of cancer, and examine ways to prevent and treat these forms of cancer.

Point out to students that different types of cancer have different symptoms and risk factors and respond differently to different types of treatment. Have each student research a different type of cancer and prepare an oral report on their findings. Students should include the following information for their assigned types of cancer in their reports:

signs and symptoms,

risk factors,

treatment options (which could include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, transplants, clinical trials, biological, hormonal, viral and complementary therapies and alternative therapies),

goals of each treatment option,

survival statistics, and

methods of prevention.

After students complete their research, have them conduct a symposium on cancer, in which each student presents his or her report. Following the symposium, point out that, according to the World Health Organization, "at least one-third of all cancers can be prevented." Wrap up the activity by having students draw upon their research to develop a Web site or a brochure that focuses on prevention and early detection as the best weapons against cancer.

Extension: Following this activity, you may want to have students take the American Cancer Society's "Top 10 Cancer Myths Quiz" at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_11_1_Top_10_Cancer_Myths_Quiz.asp

Curriculum Connections

Health

Standard 6. Understands essential concepts about nutrition and diet

Level III [Grade: 6-8]

Benchmark 1. Understands how eating properly can help to reduce health risks (in terms of anemia, dental health, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, malnutrition)

Standard 9. Understands aspects of substance use and abuse

Level III [Grade: 6-8]

Benchmark 3. Knows the short- and long-term consequences of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks/), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014; Telephone: 303/337-0990.

Science

Standard 5. Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms

Level III [Grade: 6-8]

Benchmark 1. Knows that all organisms are composed of cells, which are the fundamental units of life; most organisms are single cells, but other organisms (including humans) are multicellular

Benchmark 8. Knows that disease in organisms can be caused by intrinsic failures of the system or infection by other organisms

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 1. Knows the structures of different types of cell parts and the functions they perform

Keywords

Tony Snow, cancer, oncology, disease, malignant, benign, metastasis, diagnosis, tumor, radiation, lymph node, cells, survival rate

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