2.3 Flashcards
Cancer is a
mass of abnormal cells that usually grow rapidly, invading surrounding tissues
(Cancer) some cells break off and spread elsewhere in the body forming secondary tumours or…
metastases
Genes called proto-oncogenes code for receptor proteins in a …
cell membrane or protein growth factors
Proto-oncogenes may mutate to form
oncogenes
oncogenes may produce receptor proteins that
do not need growth factors to stimulate them, or they may produce unlimited amounts of growth factors
Cells also contain tumour suppressor genes that
slow down cell division and cause cells with damaged DNA to die
Mutations in tumour suppressor genes may result in cells with damaged DNA
replicating rapidly
Older people are more likely to develop cancer because they have had more years of exposure to…
environmental factors that cause damage to DNA
Several mutation in proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes are normally necessary before cancer develops. Older people have had more chance to
accumulate this damage to their DNA
(Prostate cancer) most common cancer of men in
UK
(Prostate cancer) prostate gland is a gland about the size of a walnut that lies just below the urinary bladder and surrounds the
upper part of the urethra
(Prostate cancer) The gland often enlarges as men get oder, making the urethra narrower so it is more difficult for them to pass urine. This is called
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
(Prostate cancer) BPH can be treated by surgically removing some of the prostate gland, making it easier for
urine to pass
(Prostate cancer) Prostate sometimes enlarges due to
prostate cancer
(Prostate cancer) Prostate cancer symptoms are similar to those for BPH :
difficult to pass urine
frequent urination
difficult to get a strong flow
(Prostate cancer) Often prostate cancer grows very slowly so there may be
no need to treat the disease
(Prostate cancer) Very few cases found in men under age of
50
(Prostate cancer) Estimated that 15-30% of men over 50 have some
evidence
(Prostate cancer) 60-70% of men over
80
(Prostate cancer)only 4% of men
die from prostate cancer
(Prostate cancer) men are more likely to die of some other cause before the prostate cancer kills them. If the cancer is slow-growing then it may be better not to treat it as surgery could cause damage to the
urethra
rectum
nerve supply to the bladder/penis
(Prostate cancer)One way to detect is to screen men for:
prostate specific antigen (PSA)
(Prostate cancer) PSA tests uses monoclonal antibodies - not offered routinely in UK as it could cause anxiety in a man who is otherwise well, and whose cancer may be
very slow-growing
(Breast cancer) is now the most common cancer in the
UK
(Breast cancer) is strongly related to age. More than 80% of cases occur in women over age of 50 with highest incidence being in the
50-64 age group
(Breast cancer) genetic factors play a part because women with a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed with breast cancer have an
80% higher risk of developing breast cancer themselves
(Breast cancer) 5 factors that seem to increase the risk of developing breast cancer:
- Obesity
- using hormone replacement therapy for 5 years or longer
- using oral contraceptives
- a sedentary lifestyle
- consuming alcohol
(Breast cancer) women who have smaller families, do not breast feed and delay childbearing until they are older also appear to have an
Increased risk
(Breast cancer) screening is offered to all women aged 50-70 on the NHS and consists of a breast x-ray called a
Mammogram
(Breast cancer) screening is offered every
3 years
(Breast cancer) a tumour shows up as a
Dense patch
(Breast cancer) a dense area of tissue may be detected that is not cancer - mammogram shows concern= further tests.
Younger women, unless they are at a high risk of developing breast cancer, are not screened. A reason for this is that it is
Harder to spot a tumour in the breast tissue of a woman who has not yet reached the menopause
