cancer Flashcards
tumour
an abnormal mass of cells that forms when a group of cells undergo uncontrolled growth and division
two main types of tumours
malignant and benign
which type of cell division do tumours divide by?
mitosis
malignant tumours
-dangerous and cancerous
-invade neighbouring healthy tissues
-cells can break off and spread to other parts of body by travelling in the bloodstream
-form secondary tumours
benign tumours
-found in one area
-contained within a membrane
-do not invade other parts of the body and stay in one place
-not usually dangerous, not cancerous
what cancers are linked to smoking?
stomach
mouth
cervical
lung
what cancers are linked to exposure to uv radiation?
skin cancer
what cancers are linked to alcohol?
mouth
liver
throat
what cancers are linked to obesity?
bowel
liver kidney
what cancers are linked to BRCA gene?
breast
ovarian
which types of risk factors have been linked to cancer?
genetic, environmental, lifestyle
radon
exposure to ionising radiation
how can carcinogens affect the development of cancer?
ionising radiation is a type of carcinogen which can cause mutations in DNA
what is cancer?
the development of a tumour as a result of uncontrolled cell division
give 5 examples of risk factors that can lead to cancer
-genetics
-smoking
-obesity
-ionising radiation
-viral infections
