2.3 Flashcards
(32 cards)
Cancer is a
mass of abnormal cells that usually grow rapidly, invading surrounding tissues
(Cancer) some cells break off and spread elsewhere in the body forming secondary tumours or…
metastases
Genes called proto-oncogenes code for receptor proteins in a …
cell membrane or protein growth factors
Proto-oncogenes may mutate to form
oncogenes
oncogenes may produce receptor proteins that
do not need growth factors to stimulate them, or they may produce unlimited amounts of growth factors
Cells also contain tumour suppressor genes that
slow down cell division and cause cells with damaged DNA to die
Mutations in tumour suppressor genes may result in cells with damaged DNA
replicating rapidly
Older people are more likely to develop cancer because they have had more years of exposure to…
environmental factors that cause damage to DNA
Several mutation in proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes are normally necessary before cancer develops. Older people have had more chance to
accumulate this damage to their DNA
(Prostate cancer) most common cancer of men in
UK
(Prostate cancer) prostate gland is a gland about the size of a walnut that lies just below the urinary bladder and surrounds the
upper part of the urethra
(Prostate cancer) The gland often enlarges as men get oder, making the urethra narrower so it is more difficult for them to pass urine. This is called
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
(Prostate cancer) BPH can be treated by surgically removing some of the prostate gland, making it easier for
urine to pass
(Prostate cancer) Prostate sometimes enlarges due to
prostate cancer
(Prostate cancer) Prostate cancer symptoms are similar to those for BPH :
difficult to pass urine
frequent urination
difficult to get a strong flow
(Prostate cancer) Often prostate cancer grows very slowly so there may be
no need to treat the disease
(Prostate cancer) Very few cases found in men under age of
50
(Prostate cancer) Estimated that 15-30% of men over 50 have some
evidence
(Prostate cancer) 60-70% of men over
80
(Prostate cancer)only 4% of men
die from prostate cancer
(Prostate cancer) men are more likely to die of some other cause before the prostate cancer kills them. If the cancer is slow-growing then it may be better not to treat it as surgery could cause damage to the
urethra
rectum
nerve supply to the bladder/penis
(Prostate cancer)One way to detect is to screen men for:
prostate specific antigen (PSA)
(Prostate cancer) PSA tests uses monoclonal antibodies - not offered routinely in UK as it could cause anxiety in a man who is otherwise well, and whose cancer may be
very slow-growing
(Breast cancer) is now the most common cancer in the
UK