The Growth and Development - Essay Example

The mechanism of the cell cycle also provided an in-depth perspective on the occurrence of cancer (Morgan, 2007). Cancers of various body parts, including the skin and breast, are among the leading causes of death. This course has broadened my understanding of the disease and brought the realization that the introduction of specific changes to the genetic makeup of cells causes them to increase abnormally, thereby leading to cancer. I have also understood that cancer seems to progress faster because cancerous cells divide faster than normal cells. Additionally, approximately 90% of cancerous cells are preparing for division at any time.

While researching topics related to cancer, I learned that environmental and genetic factors predisposed individuals to cancer. The ecological aspect included exposure to carcinogenic substances, which interfered with the genetic makeup of cells and led to the formation of abnormal cancerous cells. On the other hand, the genetic aspect meant that specific individuals possessed certain inherent genetic traits that increased their susceptibility to cancer. We cannot control our inherent genetic makeup, but we can limit exposure to carcinogenic substances. The course has taught me to protect myself from cancer by avoiding substances such as skin-lightening products, and unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet rays, among many other substances.

Various oncology societies advocate for early treatment of cancers, which can only be possible if the disease is detected early enough before it advances. As a result, individuals must have regular screening for various forms of cancer. For example, women of certain ages need annual breast cancer screenings. I advocate for such practices because they improve the treatment of cancer. In addition, they prevent the metastasis of the cancerous cells into other parts of the body, such as the bones.

The science article that I selected is “Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2012.” The report provides cancer treatment methods, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The article also highlights the side effects of the therapies and their associated survival rates. The treatment methods depend on the type of cancer, age of the patient and stage of the disease (Siegel et al., 2012). The article shows that all cancer treatment methods aim to eradicate cancerous cells to ensure the patient's survival. These findings align with the lessons from this course that the surest way of combating cancer is to eliminate all abnormally dividing cells.