Cancer

Question 1

What are cancer cells?

Answer 1

Cells that do not undergo apoptosis at the right time because their DNA is mutated, divide out of control, and do not stop dividing. It becomes deadly when it spreads into organs and tissues, preventing their proper functioning.

Question 2

Three categories of carcinogens

Answer 2

1. Viruses (e.g. human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer)
2. Radiation (e.g. UV radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer)
3. Hazardous chemicals (e.g. asbestos can cause lung cancer)

Question 3

The two ways cancer can spread

Answer 3

Invasion: the migration into neighboring tissues
Metastasis: the movement of cells through the bloodstream or lymphatic system or to other sites in the body

Question 4

Chemotherapy treatment

Answer 4

• Destroys cells which are in mitosis
• Cancer cells are more vulnerable because they replicate more often
• Other rapidly dividing cells are also vulnerable, such as hair, skin, and stomach lining

Question 5

Radiation therapy treatment

Answer 5

• Directed at tumors
• Mutates the DNA of cells
• Cancer cells are more vulnerable because they have less ability to repair damaged DNA

Question 6

Surgery treatment

Answer 6

• Surgeons can remove tumors but most be careful not to harm surrounding organs
• All cancer cells must be removed or the tumor can return.