Cancer

Question 1

When do cells become cancerous

Answer 1

Cancer cells usually can’t enter G0 and therefore begin to divide uncontrollably

• contain an error in the DNA that is replicated to the other cancerous cells
• do not perform a specialized function like other cells in our body

Question 2

Cancer cells

Answer 2

Not specialized, small cytoplasm, multiple nuclei, multiple and large nucleolus

Question 3

Mutation

Answer 3

Damage (change) of DNA

Question 4

Causes

Answer 4

• hereditary diseases i.e. BRAC gene for breast cancer
• viruses
• radiation - UV rays from the sun
• chemical toxins in our environment i.e. alcohol, cigarettes etc

All causes result in mutations which are a random change in a cell’s DNA that controls cell division

Question 5

Tumour types and appearance

Answer 5

Benign tumour: is not dangerous, it is a growth that stays in one area. (Not cancerous)

Malignant tumour: is one that can spread cancer to other areas of the body, affect the function of surrounding cells and destroy surround tissues. (cancerous)

Metastasis:

cancer cells break away from primary tumor and establish a new tumor elsewhere

Question 6

Screening

Answer 6

• Routine home (self-exam) or doctor check-ups (blood test, Pap test)
• ABCD Moles
• Genetic screening

Question 7

Prevention

Answer 7

Lifestyle choices:

• Avoid tobacco
• Healthy diet

Question 8

Diagnostic tech

Answer 8

X-Ray

CAT Scan

Ultrasound

Endoscopy

MRI

Question 9

Treatment

Answer 9

• surgery removal tumour
• radiotherapy- radiactive rays to stop replication of cancerous cells
• chemotherapy (chemicals kill or prevent cancerous cells from spreading)