2.12 - Cancer Flashcards
What is a tumour?
An abnormal mass of cells
How are tumours formed?
They are formed when a group of cells undergo uncontrolled growth and division
What are the two types for tumours called?
Benign & Malignant
Out of the two types of tumours, which one is considered ‘cancer’?
Malignant
Why do we not call benign tumours cancer
The abnormal group of cells are contained within one area, usually within a membrane. As they stay in one place, they are not normally dangerous so we dont call them cancer.
What makes malignant tumours cancerous?
They don’t stay in one place, they are able to invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body where they can form secondary tumours.
How does alcohol consumption link to getting cancer?
Many cancers including those of the mouth, throat, bowels and liver have all been linked to alcohol consumption because the toxic products damage DNA and cause cells to divide faster than normal
How does smoking increase your risk of getting cancer?
Tar from cigarette smoke is full of toxic chemicals, some of which are carcinogens. Carcinogens make mutations in the DNA more likely, which can lead to uncontrolled cell division
Which types of cancers is obesity linked to? (3)
- Bowel
- Liver
- Kidney
What type of cancer is ultra violent light linked to?
Skin cancer
What 4 letter gene name is linked to developing breast or ovarian cancer?
BRCA
Tumour cells divide by which type of cell division?
Mitosis
Which 2 factors are risk factors for liver cancer?
- Obesity
- Alcohol
The genes that we inherit can increase the risk of certain diseases. One such gene is the BRCA gene. Which 2 cancers does BRCA increase the risk of?
Ovarian cancer & Breast cancer
What are two characteristics of malignant tumours?
- They can lead to secondary tumours
- The tumour cells can spread around the body in the blood
