Cancer Flashcards
what is cancer
a broad group of diseases that lead to uncontrolled cell division
how does cancer happen
-a change occurs in DNA that controls the cell
-the cell is unable to stay in interphase for the normal amount of time
-one or more of the check points fails and the cells continue to divide uncontrollably
how do people get cancer?
from genetics, environmental factors, or both
what is it called when cancer spreads through the body
metastasis
what is metastasis
process where cancer cells break away from the original primary tumour and establish another tumour somewhere else in a body
what is a tumour
a mass of cells that continue to grow and divide without any obvious function in the body
what is a benign tumour
-tumour that does not affect surrounding tissues other than by physically crowding them
-cells in this tumour ARE NOT cancerous
what is a malignant tumour
-tumour that interferes with the functioning of surrounding cells
-cells in this tumour ARE cancerous
what are the two types of tumour
benign and malignant
what causes cancer
genetics, mutations, and carcinogens (tobacco smoke, radiation, viruses, chemicals in plastics, organic soluvents
what are mutations
random changes in DNA
what is one of the most common types of cancer in Canadians over 40
lung cancer
how can you screen for cancer
self exams, routine medical checkups, special appointments, and genetic screenings
what are some lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of cancer
avoid tobacco smoke, healthy diet, and super foods
what are two ways doctors diagnose cancer
imaging technologies and examining cells
