Cancer

Question 1

What is cancer, and what causes its uncontrolled cell growth?

Answer 1

Answer: Cancer is a disease where cells undergo a mutation in their DNA, preventing them from staying in interphase long enough and causing uncontrolled cell division (uncontrolled proliferation).

Question 2

What is the origin of the word “cancer”?
a) Onkos
b) Carcinoma
c) Leukos
d) Sarcoma

Answer 2

Answer: b) Carcinoma

Question 3

How do cancer cells behave differently from normal cells?

Answer 3

Answer: Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, form tumours, invade nearby tissues, spread (metastasize), and often lose their normal organization and function.

Question 4

What are the two main characteristics of cancer cells?

Answer 4

Answer: Anaplasia (constant changes as they divide and loss of organization) and autonomy (acting independently of normal cell control).

Question 5

What are the two major types of tumours?

Answer 5

Answer: Benign tumours (non-cancerous) and malignant tumours (cancerous).

Question 6

Which type of tumour does not spread to other parts of the body?
a) Malignant
b) Carcinogenic
c) Benign
d) Leukemic

Answer 6

Answer: c) Benign

Question 7

What are the characteristics of benign tumours?

Answer 7

Answer: They are mostly harmless, non-cancerous, do not spread (no metastasis), but can crowd surrounding tissues, causing discomfort or requiring surgery.

Question 8

What makes malignant tumours dangerous?

Answer 8

Answer: Malignant tumours interfere with normal tissue function, spread through metastasis, and often require immediate treatment.

Question 9

How do malignant tumours spread throughout the body?

Answer 9

Answer: Through metastasis, where cancer cells break away, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumours elsewhere.

Question 10

What is angiogenesis, and why is it important for tumour growth?

Answer 10

Answer: Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, which supply tumours with oxygen and nutrients, helping them grow and spread.

Question 11

What are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in males?

Answer 11

Answer: Prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Question 12

What are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in females?

Answer 12

Answer: Breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Question 13

What is the most commonly diagnosed cancer overall?
a) Breast cancer
b) Prostate cancer
c) Lung cancer
d) Skin cancer

Answer 13

Answer: c) Lung cancer

Question 14

Why is lung cancer the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide?

Answer 14

Answer: Because smoking is widespread, and tumours from other parts of the body often metastasize to the lungs first.

Question 15

What is the five-year survival rate for cancer patients in the U.S.?
a) 40%
b) 50%
c) 60%
d) 70%

Answer 15

Answer: c) 60%

Question 16

What are three major factors that increase the risk of developing cancer?

Answer 16

Answer:
1. Exposure to carcinogens (e.g., radiation, tobacco, pollution).
2. Genetic mutations (inherited or acquired).
3. Weakened immune system (due to immunodeficiency or viruses like HPV and Hepatitis B).

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a known cancer risk factor?
a) Carcinogens
b) Genetic alterations
c) Regular exercise
d) Viruses like HPV

Answer 17

Answer: c) Regular exercise

Question 18

How does obesity affect cancer risk?

Answer 18

Answer: Excess body fat increases the risk of certain cancers, while a balanced diet and healthy weight lower the risk.

Question 19

What are the three stages of malignant tumour progression?

Answer 19

Answer:
1. Dysplasia (Transformation): A daughter cell mutates and becomes cancerous.
2. Neoplasia: Cancer cells multiply, forming a tumour; new blood vessels begin growing near it.
3. Invasive Neoplasia: Cancer cells spread into surrounding tissues and blood vessels, evading the immune system.

Question 20

Describe the Dysplasia (Transformation) stage of malignant Cancers

Answer 20

A daughter cell mutates and becomes cancerous.

Question 21

Describe the Neoplasia stage of malignant Cancers

Answer 21

Neoplasia: Cancer cells multiply, forming a tumour; new blood vessels begin growing near it.

Question 22

Describe the Invasive Neoplasia stage of malignant Cancers

Answer 22

Invasive Neoplasia: Cancer cells spread into surrounding tissues and blood vessels, evading the immune system.

Question 23

What is cancer screening?

Answer 23

Answer: A process of checking for cancer before symptoms appear to detect it early and improve treatment success.

Question 24

Which type of cancer screening is commonly recommended for men under 50?

Answer 24

Answer: PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test for prostate cancer.

Question 25

What are two self-examinations people can do at home to check for cancer?

Answer 25

Answer: Breast self-examinations (for women) and testicular self-examinations (for men).

Question 26

What medical tests are used to diagnose cancer?

Answer 26

Answer: * Blood tests * Genetic tests * Pap tests (for cervical cancer) * Mammograms * X-rays * CT scans * MRI * Endoscopy * Biopsy

Question 27

What is Angiogenesis?

Answer 27

Angiogenesis: New blood vessel formation and maturation. Angiogenic factors (like VEGF, POGF, and BFGF) bind onto receptors of the nearby blood vessels, fostering new blood vessel growth.

Question 28

What is a biopsy?

Answer 28

Answer: A procedure where a small tissue sample is removed and examined under a microscope to check for cancer.

Question 29

What is the leading cause of cervical cancer?

Answer 29

Answer: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Question 30

How many women in Ontario die from cervical cancer each year? a) 50 b) 100 c) 150 d) 200

Answer 30

Answer: c) 150

Question 31

What are the three main cancer treatment methods?

Answer 31

Answer: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Question 32

What is a newer cancer treatment method that uses light to detect and treat cancer cells? a) Chemotherapy b) Biophotonics c) Radiation therapy d) Immunotherapy

Answer 32

Answer: b) Biophotonics

Question 33

What are three ways to reduce cancer risk?

Answer 33

Answer: 1. Avoiding carcinogens (e.g., smoking, excessive UV exposure). 2. Eating a healthy, balanced diet. 3. Undergoing regular cancer screenings.

Question 34

Which foods contain substances that help the body fight cancer?

Answer 34

Answer: Tomatoes, carrots, avocados, grapefruits, garlic, nuts, and figs.

Question 35

Does cancer screening prevent cancer?

Answer 35

Answer: No, screening does not prevent cancer but helps detect it early for better treatment outcomes.

Question 36

Why is personal responsibility important in cancer prevention?

Answer 36

Answer: While some factors (like genetics) are uncontrollable, individuals can reduce their risk by making healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding carcinogens, and undergoing regular screenings.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a known cancer risk factor? a) Carcinogens b) Genetic alterations c) Regular exercise d) Viruses like HPV

Answer 37

Answer: c) Regular exercise

Question 38

What is the process called when new blood vessels form to support tumour growth? a) Dysplasia b) Angiogenesis c) Apoptosis d) Neoplasia

Answer 38

Answer: b) Angiogenesis

Question 39

Which type of tumour does not spread by invasion or metastasis? a) Malignant b) Carcinogenic c) Benign d) Leukemic

Answer 39

Answer: c) Benign

Question 40

Which Greek word is the origin of the term “cancer”? a) Onkos b) Carcinoma c) Leukos d) Sarcoma

Answer 40

Answer: b) Carcinoma

Question 41

How do malignant tumours spread throughout the body?

Answer 41

Answer: Malignant tumours spread through a process called metastasis, where cancer cells break away from the original tumour, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumours in different areas.

Question 42

When a Cancer metastasizes, cancer cells break off a tumor and travel to other parts of the body, which allows the cancer to spread to other organs. **True/False**

Answer 42

**True**

Question 43

How does normal cell division differ from cancerous cell division?

Answer 43

Normal cell division occurs only when it is required (ex., because another cell has died). Normal cell division is tightly controlled by many factors. Normal cells die when they are supposed to. Cancer cells divide continuously despite the factors telling them to stop and refuse to die at their programmed time.