Topic 2 Cancer + Flashcards
What is cancer caused by
Uncontrolled cell growth and division
What is a tumour
A mass of cells
What is a benign tumour
Tumour grows until there is no more room and stays in one place rather than invading other tissues in the body
Isn’t normally dangerous and isnt cancerous
What is a malignant tumour
Tumour grows and spreads to neighbouring healthy tissues cells
can break off and spread to other parts of the body travelling in the bloodstream
the malignant cells invade healthy tissues elsewhere in the body and form secondary tumours
they are dangerous and can be fatal
they are cancerous
Why have cancer survival rates increased
Improve treatment
being able to diagnose earlier
increase screening
What do risk factors of cancer do
You’re an increased risk of developing the disease
What are the genetic risk factors of cancer
Inherit faulty genes that make you more susceptible to cancer
E.g. mutations in the BRCA gene have linked to an increase likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer
Risk factors of cancer
Smoking
obesity
UV exposure
viral infection
What cancers are smoking a risk factor for
Lung cancer
and other types of cancer including mouth, bowels, stomach and cervical
What cancers does the risk factor obesity cause
Many different cancers including bowel, liver, kidney
Is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking
What cancer does the risk factor UV exposure cause
Increase chance of developing skin cancer
What activities give you more UV exposure and high risk of skin cancer
People who live in sunny claimants, spend a lot of time outside or frequently use sunbeds
What cancers does the risk factor viral infections cause
Increase chances of developing certain types of cancer
Infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C can increase risk of developing liver cancer
How are viral infection spread to cause cancer
Unprotected sex or sharing needles
