B7. Non-communicable diseases

Question 1

What is a non-communicable disease?

Answer 1

It is a disease that is NOT caused by a pathogen. It can not be transferred from one person to another.

Question 2

Name 3 examples of non-communicable diseases.

Answer 2

Cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis

Question 3

What is cancer?

Answer 3

It is a (usually) non-communicable disease which develops as a result of changes in cells that lead to their uncontrollable growth and division forming tumours.

Question 4

What is a benign tumour?

Answer 4

Growths of abnormal cells which have not yet invaded other parts of the body.

Question 5

What is a malignant tumour?

Answer 5

Growths of abnormal cells which have invaded neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours.

Question 6

What could be a CAUSE of someone developing a non-communicable disease?

Answer 6

• Deficiency diseases (e.g. lack of vitamin C causes scurvy).
• Inherited disorder (e.g. cystic fibrosis)
  Body disorder (e.g. diabetes)
  Effect of a ‘bad’ lifestyle (e.g. lack of exercise, smoking)
  Exposure to mutagens (e.g. Ionisning/UV/X-ray radiation)

Question 7

What is a carcinogen?

Answer 7

Something that causes cancer (e.g. tar in cigarette smoke).

Question 8

What is a correlation between two factors?

Answer 8

Correlation is a link between two variables.

For e.g. as the number of cigarettes smoked increases, the risk of developing lung cancer also increases.

Question 9

What does causation mean?

Answer 9

Causation implies a change in one variable directly results in the change of the other variable.
E.g. an increase in blood cholesterol levels CAUSES an increase in the risk of CVD.

Question 10

Name 2 ways of treating cancer.

Answer 10

1) Radiotherapy

2) Chemotherapy

Question 11

Why is nicotine in cigarettes harmful?

Answer 11

Nicotine is an addictive, stimulant drug, that speeds up the heart rate.

Question 12

What is the effect of carbon monoxide in cigarettes on the body?

Answer 12

Carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells (where oxygen should bind). This reduces the amount of oxygen red blood cells can carry. This leads to higher blood pressure and shortage of oxygen.

Question 13

Obesity is caused by eating too many nutrients. The excess food is stored as…..?

Answer 13

Fats

Question 14

Obesity can lead to more serious conditions such as ______________

Answer 14

Type 2 diabetes

Question 15

How could someone begin to treat obesity?

Answer 15

Regular physical exercise

Question 16

In some cases type 2 diabetes can be reversed by….

Answer 16

• Regular physical exercise

- A diet low in carbohydrates

Question 17

What is the name of the drug found in alcohol?

Answer 17

Ethanol

Question 18

If a woman smokes during pregnancy, what might be the effect on the foetus/baby?

Answer 18

Smoking during pregnancy can pass into the developing foetus, the foetus may not get enough oxygen and not grow properly. This can lead to a low birth weight or a still birth.

Question 19

Why is alcohol a dangerous substance?

Answer 19

Alcohol is addictive and in excess it can cause brain and liver damage.

Question 20

What type of damage does alcohol cause to the liver?

Answer 20

• Alcohol can cause scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver, this destroys the liver tissue and it cannot work properly.
• The person may also develop liver cancer.

Question 21

If a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, what might be the effect on the foetus/baby?

Answer 21

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can pass into the baby and cause miscarriage/still birth/low birth weight.