cancer pt3 Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are brain tumours?
-A brain tumour is a mass of abnormal cells growing in the brain.
-Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
-They can cause symptoms by pressing on parts of the brain.
-Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, and vision problems.
Risk factors for brain tumours:
-Exposure to high doses of radiation (e.g., from radiation therapy).
-Family history of brain tumours (rare).
-Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins (though not well understood).
Prevention methods for brain tumours:
-Limit exposure to high doses of radiation (only use medical scans when necessary).
-Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins when possible.
-Maintain a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, no smoking) to support overall health.
What causes cancer?
-Cancer starts when a mutation happens in a cell’s DNA.
-This mutation causes the cell to divide uncontrollably.
-The abnormal cells build up to form a tumour (a mass of cells).
-Some tumours are benign (don’t spread), but others are malignant (can invade nearby tissues).
-Malignant cells can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through blood or lymph.
How does cancer grow to become larger?
-Cancer cells divide rapidly and uncontrollably.
-They avoid the normal signals that tell cells to stop growing.
-Tumour grows as more cancer cells are produced.
-Cancer cells can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to get nutrients.
How does cancer spread to other parts of the body?
-Cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumour.
- enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
-Travel through the body to new locations.
-Settle and grow secondary tumours in other organs or tissues.
-This process is called metastasis and makes cancer harder to treat.
Radiotherapy:
-Uses high-energy radiation (like X-rays) to kill cancer cells.
-Targets cancer cells to damage their DNA so they can’t divide.
-Usually done in multiple sessions over several -weeks.
-Can also damage some healthy cells, causing side effects.
Chemotherapy:
-Uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells.
-Can be given as tablets, injections, or drips.
-Affects cancer cells throughout the whole body (systemic treatment).
-Can cause side effects because it also affects some healthy fast-growing cells (like in hair and stomach).
Biopsy:
-A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is taken from the body.
-The tissue is examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells or other diseases.
-Helps doctors confirm a diagnosis and decide on treatment.
-Can be done with a needle or by surgery.
Carcinogen:
-A carcinogen is any substance or agent that can cause cancer.
-It causes mutations in DNA that lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
-Examples include tobacco smoke, UV radiation, asbestos, and some chemicals.
How does the Sun emit UV radiation?
-The Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion in its core.
-This energy travels outwards and is released as electromagnetic radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) rays.
-UV radiation is a type of invisible light with shorter wavelengths than visible light.
-UV rays can damage skin cells’ DNA, increasing cancer risk.
