B7 Non-communicable diseases

Question 1

What is a casual mechanism?

Answer 1

A casual mechanism explains how one factor influences another through a biological process. If a casual mechanism can be demonstrated there is a link between the two.

Question 2

What do benign and malignant tumors result from?

Answer 2

Benign and malignant tumors result from abnormal, uncontrolled cell division.

Question 3

What are benign tumors?

Answer 3

Benign tumors form in one place and do not spread to other tissues.

Question 4

What are malignant tumors?

Answer 4

Malignant tumor cells are cancers. They invade neighboring tissues and may spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumors.

Question 5

What are some of the lifestyle factors for various types of cancer?

Answer 5

Some of the lifestyle factors for various types of cancer include:

• smoking,
• obesity,
• common viruses,
• UV exposure,
• genetic risk factors (for some cancers).

Question 6

What are the two ways of treating cancer?

Answer 6

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Question 7

What occurs during radiotherapy?

Answer 7

Radiotherapy is when the cancer cells are destroyed by targeted doses of radiation. Although this can stop mitosis in the cancer cells, healthy cells can also be damaged.

Question 8

What occurs during chemotherapy?

Answer 8

Chemotherapy is when chemicals are used to either stop the cancer cells dividing or to make them ‘self-destruct’.

Question 9

What are carcinogens?

Answer 9

Carcinogens are agents that cause cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer.

Question 10

What is nicotine?

Answer 10

Nicotine is the addictive but relatively harmless drug found in tobacco smoke.

Question 11

What is carbon monoxide?

Answer 11

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas found in tobacco smoke and it takes up some of the oxygen-carrying capacity in your blood.

Question 12

What are the causes of cancer?

Answer 12

Causes of cancer include:

• Genetic risk factors
• Most cancers are the results of mutations
• Ionising radiation.

Question 13

What is ionising radiation?

Answer 13

Ionising radiation in the form of different types of electromagnetic waves is a well-known carcinogen.

Question 14

What is a mutation?

Answer 14

A change in the genetic material of an organism.

Question 15

What is cancer?

Answer 15

Cancer is the common name for a malignant tumor, formed as a result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division.

Question 16

How can people with type 2 diabetes restore their normal blood glucose balance?

Answer 16

By eating a balanced diet with controlled amounts of carbohydrate, losing weight and doing regular exercise.