Chapter 7: Non-communicable diseases

Question 1

Non-communicable diseases

Answer 1

• A non-communicable disease cannot be passed from one individual to another
• Risk factors are aspects of a person’s lifestyle, or substances present in a person’s body or environment, that have been shown to be linked to an increased rate of disease
• For some non-communicable diseases, a casual mechanisms for some risk factors has been proven, but not in others. A casual mechanism explains how one factor influences another through a biological process.

Question 2

Cancer

Answer 2

• Benign and malignant tumours result in abnormal, uncontrolled cell division
• Benign tumours form in one place and do not spread to other tissues
• Malignant tumours cells are cancers. They invade neighbouring tissues and may spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours
• Lifestyle risk factors for various types of cancer include smoking, obesity, common viruses, and UV exposure. There are also genetic risks factors for some cancers
• Radiotherapy: when the cancer cells are destroyed by targeted doses of radiation. Stops mitosis in cancer cells but can damage healthy cells
• Chemotherapy: chemicals are used to stop cancer cells dividing or to make them self-destruct.

Question 3

Smoking and risk of disease

Answer 3

• Smoking can cause cardiovascular disease including coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and lung disease such as bronchitis and COPD
• A foetus exposed to smoke has restricted oxygen which can lead to premature birth, low birthweight, and even stillbirth

Question 4

Diet, exercise and disease

Answer 4

• Diet affects your risk of developing cardiovascular and other diseases directly through cholesterol levels and indirectly through obesity
• Exercise levels affect the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease
• Obesity is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Question 5

Alcohol and other carcinogens

Answer 5

• Alcohol can damage the liver and accuse cirrhosis and liver cancer
• Alcohol can cause brain damage and death
• Alcohol taken in by a pregnant woman can affect the development of her unborn baby